What If My Domain Is Already Taken
If someone already has your domain, you might still be able to buy it, but it will cost more. This is because instead of buying it from a registrar for a standard price, youll have to buy it off of whoever has it. Many people register domains they think could be profitable and then sell them on domain marketplaces like Sedo and Afternic. You can try searching those services if you need that specific domain.
The cheaper thing to do though is to try a different top level domain . There are many mainstream ones like .org, .net, and .co, but also some more obscure ones like .xyz, .biz, and .business. Often these wont be taken, and you can find a domain with the same name by buying one of these.
What Could Go Wrong Aka Security And Quality
Last, but certainly not least, we have the topic of what could go wrong with your domain name and hosting setup.
And it basically comes down to this:
When we talk about the pair of your website domain name and your web hosting setup, the domain name is the element youre a lot less likely to be dissatisfied with.
First of all, domain names are a regulated market. Theres an organization called Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that monitors the market overall and regulates domain registrars to some extent.
Also, considering what domain names actually are web addresses that point to and identify websites its very uncommon for a domain name to ever stop working all of a sudden. As long as you pay your annual domain registration bills, your domain is going to work just fine 99% of the time.
However, the story with web hosting can be different. First off, hosting isnt a regulated market in any way, so your mileage with some hosts may vary. And, if you ever do want to move to another host, doing so is much easier if youve originally bought your domain name and hosting from separate companies. All you do is just edit the domains nameserver settings and youre done .
A Strategic Approach To Choosing The Perfect Domain Name
Your URL offers a chance to leave a good first impression. Thats why a strong domain name is essential for the success of your website. So, if youre ready to land that perfect domain name, remember these handy tips and click below to start your search today.
About the Author: Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D.
Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D., is Product Research Manager at DreamHost. He is responsible for directing and managing the companys partnerships with various domain registries, including those that control TLDs like .com, .online, .shop, .xyz, .club, .art, .io, .co, .me, and many others. In his free time, Stefanus enjoys outdoor activities, visits national parks regularly, and serves as a member of a Los Angeles high school support group. Connect with Stefanus on LinkedIn:
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Find A Domain Name Your Customers Will Remember
A strong domain name is important for any size business, at any stage of development. It will entice consumers with a snappy slogan or unique title, it should promote a sense of professionalism and satisfaction, and it should separate your business from others in your industry. Think of it like youre deciding on a company logo, because the two should go hand-in-hand. Your domain name must be a reflection of your brand, simple, and memorable.
Setting Up Your Personal Domain
Congratulations, youve completed the task of creating your own domain! Now you may be wondering how to make your own domain work as a website and if there are any best practices.
To build a website on your personal domain name, youve got two options. Use a website builder which comes with hosting, or choose a self-hosted option. How do you build a website or blog with a custom domain? Lets find out.
Also Check: Can You Change Domain Name On WordPress
Why Every Small Business Should Own A Domain Name
? You should buy a domain name.
A domain name is the address for a websiteyou’re reading this article on zapier.com, for example. Registering a domain name isn’t expensive, typically costing around $15 a year.
Some businesses use the free subdomains offered by web hosts like Wix or WordPress.com. If Zapier went this route, for example, you could be reading this article on zapier.wordpress.com, and we’d have an extra $15 a year to spend on snacks.
Obviously, it would be silly for a tech company like Zapier not to have a dedicated domain name. We’d look amateurish. Here’s the thing, though: this is true for every business. You should buy a domain, even if you don’t plan on having much of a websiteor any website at all. Here’s why.
Speaking of WordPress: here’s the , just in case you’re thinking about choosing one or the other. And here are .
Use A Domain Name Generator
If youre not the creative type, you can use a domain name generator to help spark some ideas. Simply enter in some words or phrases that describe your brand or website, and these tools will give you a list of ideas that you can then check for availability.
Bring your brand to life with your own website. Design from scratch, connect a domain, analyze traffic, and optimize for SEO.
Also Check: How To Host My Own Domain Name
Determine If The Domain Seems Attainable
If a domain is unavailable from a registrar, try going directly to that website and see what you find. If theres an active website or business using that domain, it might be tougher to acquire.
But if you dont see an active site, theres a good chance that domain will be for sale.
Heres an example for management.com:
Clearly, not much is happening on this site. So if you wanted this premium domain, there is a pretty good indication here that its for sale.
In some cases, youll even see text like buy this domain or information that says this domain might be for sale. All of these are good signs that the domain is attainable.
Why You Should Own Your Name As A Domain
There are many reasons that you should own your name as a domain. It doesnt matter if you work for yourself, for someone else, or dont work at all. Yourname.com is not just for businesses.
In 2007, I sold my website of ten years and shortly thereafter bought the domain AmandaFormaro.com. It wasnt until after I sold that first website that I realized the true importance of my online presence as a freelancer. With my first website sold and gone, how would people find and hire me?
Your story may be different, but the end result remains the same. You need to own your name and here are several reasons why.
Its Budget Friendly and Low MaintenanceDomains are inexpensive, usually around $15.00 or less per year. Thats about $1.25 per month. If you register your domain for more than one year at a time, most registrars provide a discount. You need only buy the domain then renew it when it expires, almost no maintenance.
Its Your IdentityProtect it, even if you never plan to create a website. It protects you from unsavory individuals or even an ex with a vengeance. Anyone can buy your name and turn it into a slanderous website. There are plenty of domain squatters out there too, buying up domains in hopes of selling it to you later at an inflated rate. While youre at it, buy your spouses name and your childrens too.
Online PortfolioIf you offer a service such as photography, writing, or design work, a portfolio of your work is a must.
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Avoid Slang & Pop Culture
Imagine if today you tried appealing to a millennial demographic by using the term xtreme in a domain. You might reel in droves of fortysomethings, but the target audience would likely find that choice of words laughably outdated.
Planning for long-term success means picking a web address with classic appeal, not something that fades from popularity within a few years.
Similarly, avoid slang or use only slang thats universally recognizable. With the global reach of the internet, its not unthinkable that youll attract some folks who speak English as a second language. Make it easy for them.
Choose The Name You Like Best
Most domain name registrars will let you look for domain names right away, before you register any details, and the search function should be visible on the front page. Type in a few words related to the domain name you wantperhaps your own name or the name of the company you want to build a website forand run the search.
Youll be met with a plethora of options to pick from, together with their prices. On the right of a website address is the top-level domain: something like .com or .org, and youll notice that the most common top-level domains will cost you more. If youre happy with something a bit less recognizable, like .xyz or .info, you wont have to pay as much.
The rest of the domain name is up to you. As long as the website address is available and hasnt been claimed by someone else, you can register it. Still, you might have to make your search terms a bit more specific, because while one variation on your name may already be taken, another one might not be.
Read Also: What Are Examples Of Domain Names
Choose Your Top Level Domain Extension Carefully
A Top-Level Domain extension is the last part of your URL that comes directly after the name of your site. Some of the most popular TLDs are .com, .org, and .net.
Among all the TLDs, .com is often a popular choice. However, if .com is taken, its not the end of the world.
Other popular TLDs such as .xyz, .shop, .club, .online, .art, .inc, and even .party are becoming increasingly common. TLDs like .marketing and .technology allow you to go with something more relevant to your industry. The usage of ccTLDs is also an extremely popular option. In recent years, more technology startups are using .io , .ai , and .co , for example. Ultimately, youll want to choose a domain name extension that is cohesive with your website and signals credibility.
Register Through Shopify Domains Or A Domain Name Registrar
With Shopify, you get a free trial where youre able to create a store using a sub-domain of Shopify. This is excellent because you can sign up and design your store. When youre ready to properly launch your brand, youll need to setup a custom domain.
Shopify makes it easy for you to setup a domain name through them and its the main selling point of Shopify domains. Its easy for you the end user and Shopify gets to make a small profit on domain name registration and renewals.
In general through, I suggest you use Namecheap specifically because:
- Keep your services separate
- Lower cost on renewals and better service
- Professional domain name
Recommended Reading: Can You Buy Domain Through Wix
Should I Buy My Domain Name Through Shopify
With creating an online store with Shopify youre going to need a domain name. Should you get your domain name through Shopify domains or should you use a domain name registrar like GoDaddy? Lets cover the specific pros and cons of each option.
If youre looking for ease of use and no configuration then go with Shopify domains. If you instead want to keep your services separate as well as get the best price on domain name registration, you should not get your domain name through Shopify and instead use a domain name registrar like Namecheap.
Namecheap has lower prices that Shopify domains, lower renewal rates and free WHOIS protection. The only negative is youll have to manually connect your domain to your Shopify account.
Namecheap
Complete The Domain Registration
As soon as you have completed the payment, youll be redirected to the control panel. Inside, there will be a setup box that youll need to fill out to complete the domain name registration.
Youll need to fill in all the fields with the correct details, such as your name, address, andcontact information. This data will be stored on WHOIS, the official domain ownership database.
After submitting your details, the domain registration will be processed.
Its possible to modify the domain ownership details using the domain management section within the control panel. Once the changes are made, you will have to confirm them via email.
Recommended Reading: Do I Need Domain Ownership Protection
Keep Your Domain Name Short
There are several reasons short domains work better. First, theyre easier to remember and faster to type. Therefore, they are more likely to support a positive UX.
This is especially important as more and more people are browsing the internet on mobile devices. A short domain name means fewer opportunities for mobile users to get blindsided by autocorrect.
Furthermore, an overly long URL is yet another way to scare off visitors. If youre overcomplicating your domain with unnecessary keywords, your users might get suspicious.
It Increases Your Visibility
Taking SEO into account, owning your own domain name is invaluable. While the overall Google search algorithm is still a mystery to SEO experts, the domain name is without a doubt a significant ranking factor. What this means for you is if someone is searching for you, having a domain name that is the same as your own name will catapult your website to the first page of a Google search. Considering that approximately 68% of users click on the first five links on a Google search, this acts as a great opportunity to increase the likelihood that they click on your website first.
Also Check: Are Info Domains Any Good
Why Having A Domain Name Is Important
Whether you own an existing business or have an idea for a startup, you need a strong online presence. Usually, the first thing your potential customer will do when searching out your product or service is to conduct a web search, and if your website is relatively easy to find and navigate, youll greatly increase your chances of a sale.
With the majority of shopping happening on the internet, the dynamic of marketing has changed significantly, and one of the most effective and lasting methods of reaching potential customers is through a well-developed and maintained website. From a marketing standpoint, you can create a lasting brand image with the right domain name.
Online success starts with a great domain. Get yours today at Domain.com.
How To Buy A Domain For Office 365 Operated By 21vianet
If you don’t already have your own domain, you can easily buy one online at a domain name registrar, domain reseller, or even at your current Internet provider. You get a domain name when you sign up for Office 365 operated by 21Vianet, for example, contoso.partner.onmschina.cn. But you may want to use a custom domain name, like fourthcoffee.com.
To set up a domain in Microsoft 365, you must own a domain and change some of the DNS records for your domain.
Caution
Some domain registrars or DNS hosting providers do not allow creating all the DNS records required by Microsoft 365. The following list of hosting providers supports all the needed records. If you’re thinking of using a different hosting provider, Service limitations when your hosting provider does not support SRV, CNAME, TXT, or redirection.
After you register your domain , you sign in to Microsoft 365 as an admin. Then, set up your domain so you can use it with your email address and other services.
Note
The SharePoint Online Public Website information in this article only applies if your organization purchased Microsoft 365 prior to March 9, 2015.
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Domain Name Is Hard To Sell Later
This is the only reason why I recommend to my students not to use their own name as a domain name. Although you may have simple plans for your website, many people start, but it could be the next big thing, and if you plan to sell the business you might have in a few years, it would be difficult to sell. Buyers prefer a tradeable domain name that is not associated with a name.
Which One Should You Go With
Its best to look up your desired domain name on both websites to see which company can offer you a better deal.
Namecheap offers .com domains at a lower price than GoDaddy . Yet its important to remember that money is not the only thing that matters, so you might want to take a closer look at GoDaddys and Namecheaps track record in terms of their views and their behavior to see which companys values resonate with you more.
Not sold on GoDaddy or Namecheap? Make sure to read our blog post.
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How To Register A Domain Name For Your Website
If you want to build a website, you need to buy a domain name. Registering one can be a daunting task for newcomers, but our helpful guide walks you through the process.
Since 2004, I’ve penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including the late, great 1UP Laptop Parenting Sync Wise Bread and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skillset as the Managing Editor of PCMag‘s Apps & Gaming team.
My career has taken me through an eclectic assortment of fields, and connected me with people from all walks of life. This experience includes construction, professional cooking, podcasting, and, of course, writing. Ive been typing up geeky takes since 2009, ultimately landing a freelancing position at PCMag. This blossomed into a full-time tech analyst position in 2021, where I lend my personal insight on the matters of web hosting, streaming music, mobile apps, and video games.