A Strong Domain Name:
- Adds professional credibility to your business and separates you from the millions of get-rich-quick-scheme websites out there.
- Provides visibility for your brand. Much like a storefront window, a good domain will create awareness and attract customers.
- Establishes your business as tech-savvy and forward-thinking. Whether you actually sell products online or not, it is crucial to your reputation to claim your territory online.
- Creates mobility for your internet presence. If you decide to change web hosting services, relocate to a different country, or shift to using your own in-house server, your domain name stays with you, allowing you to continue to build your brand without having to start all over.
- Increases your search engine ranking. As you build your business and develop your website with quality content, your domain name will become more and more recognizable in search engines like Google, which draws more customers in your direction.
- Will provide your brand with marketability around the world, or you can choose to focus specifically in a local region.
- As opposed to traditional marketingas long as you keep current with the low annual feesyour domain name will not expire.
Why You Should Buy Multiple Domain Names
Should I buy more than one domain name?
Thats a great question.
And more often than not, the answer is yes.
Purchasing more than one domain name is an excellent investment when done sensibly. When done right, owning multiple domain names is synonymous with brand protection and business security. Well explain exactly why that is in this blog post.
What Should You Know About Copyright And Trademark Issues With Domain Names
You always want to be 100% sure that youre not registering a domain name that has already been trademarked by someone else.
The same goes for any domain names you might buy for niche sites. For example, if youre planning to write reviews of a certain brands golf clubs, you should never buy a domain name that is xyzbrandgolfclubreviews.com without express permission from that brand. When in doubt, seek legal advice.
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Set Up Website Hosting
Finally, if youd like someone to do it for you, its time to find a website host. We recommend Kinsta.
Kinsta websites are fast, easy to build, and protected with hardware firewalls, SSL support, uptime monitoring, and Distributed Denial of Service detection. Kinsta also offers expert help and allows you to choose which of the 28 Google Cloud Platform data centers hosts your site.
You can get started with Kinsta by signing up for one of our plans. Then, follow our instructions to add your domain to your Kinsta site.
Choose A Domain Registrar
First, you need to select an ICANN accredited registrar to register your name through. This registrar isnt the same as your web host.
Your DNS host connects visitors to your website through your domain name, while your website host gives you a space for your website. Your DNS host is like a phonebook, while your website host is like your landlord.
When selecting a registrar, consider:
- Fee structure: Each registrar has its own fee system. The average domain name costs $10$20 a year .
- Any additional services your registrar offers: These may include domain parking and domain privacy. Domain privacy hides your name, contact details, and business details from your websites public listing.
- The registrars expiration policy: Youll need to check you can secure your domain long-term.
- The registrars transfer policy: You may want the flexibility to change registrars or sell your domain later.
- Whether the registrar offers aSecure Socket Layer certificate: This digital certificate encrypts your website connection and protects visitors.
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To Impress Clients And Recruiters
Where can I find you online?
Do you have a website?
These are now common questions, especially if you run a business or are self-employed. In this digital age, people expect businesses and individuals to present themselves in a professional manner on the web. There are a few ways to go about this.
Create a virtual business card
Think of those times youve been given a business card. It gets crinkled up in your pocket and becomes indecipherable, lost, thrown away or stuffed in a drawer never to be seen again. Thats why online business cards are becoming commonplace.
You might simply want to be more environmentally friendly, or maybe you enjoy the real estate a website affords you to flex your acumen. An online business card is a smart, and cost-effective way to run your business. Plus, when recruiters Google your name, your digital business card will be presented to them. How about that for a first impression?
If youre still a fan of physical business cards, then dont forget to try out our Business Card Maker. With free shipping and beautiful designs, you can order them right to your door.
We also have Site Maker, an easy way to make your personal website come alive in minutes. If youve got a business and want to show the world, its an all-in-one package address, hosting, and site security encryption.
Present your Virtual CV or resume
How To Permanently Buy A Domain Name
When you first register a domain name, you choose how many years you want to keep the ownership of the domain. When the domain expires, you have the option to renew the domain for another time period . As long as you renew a domain on time , you can maintain ownership of a domain permanently.
When you fail to renew a domain and it gets expired, other people can register the domain and youll lose ownership. All domain registrars offer the option to auto-renew a domain registration so that you dont accidentally lose your domain because you forgot to renew.
So, to keep a domain permanently make sure that:
- Your contact information with the domain registrar is correct
- You set the auto-renew option to automatically renew a domain before the expiration date
- Your payment details are correct and updated
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Make It Easy For Customers To Find You
People have short memoriesthey aren’t going to remember a long web address. Try telling someone your company’s website is at yourbusiness.wix.com and you might have to explain that, yes, there’s a dot in the middle and, yes, Wix is spelled W-I-X. It’s an extra step you’ll have to take every time someone asks what your website is. Not to mention it’s not as pretty on a business card.
Buy a domain name, though, and you don’t have this problem. You can just tell people to head to yourbusiness.com, and you’re done. That alone is worth so much more than $15 a year.
Of course, buying a domain isn’t all you need to have a website the domain name is just the address. You’ll also need to buy so that your website can live on a computer somewhere, and a web host will end up costing you upwards of $100 a year. But here’s the catch: not everyone who runs a business has a website. You might only have a Facebook Page or Google Maps listing. Even if that’s the case, you should still get a domain name.
In the short term, this gives people an easy way to find your profile on those services. You can also use the domain name for a future website, if you think you might build one later. Domains are cheap, and redirects are easy to set up. Just buy the domain name, then look for the “Forward” option offered by your domain name service.
Picking A Domain Name
The right domain name boosts your websites chances of success so take the time to think about this.
There are lots of things to consider when choosing a domain name. Obviously, you need something that relates to you and your business. This will help people find you.
Including keywords in your domain name can also help. This means that when people search those keywords youre more likely to come up as a result.
And dont go for anything too long. The longer your domain name, the more likely someone is to make a mistake when typing it out.
Or they might misread it when its written down. You need a domain name that clearly shows what the website is all about.
Avoid things like numbers or hyphens. This reduces the room for errors when typing out your domain name.
People might forget where the hyphen goes. Or they might write out the word six instead of putting the number 6. All of these things make you harder to find.
It might be tempting to use slang in your domain name. For example, changing you to u might offer more available domains. But this can also make you harder to find.
If youre struggling to find a domain name that you like try doing some research into the market. Seeing what else is out there might inspire you to think outside the box.
Finally, use an appropriate top-level domain. If youre based in France it doesnt make sense to use an extension for New Zealand!
Keep it short and memorable. This will make it easier to find you.
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Your Domain Name Should Be Brandable
Your domain name needs to brandable.
Basically, when people hear your domain name, it needs to sound like a legit business in your industry and have a hip vibe.
So, for example, if you were starting a remote jobs board, you could name it www.remotejobsboard.com But doesnt remoteok.io sound much better?
Remoteok.io
Of course, you need to take industry standards into account, boring names work for businesses that need to appear formal.
Say, if you run a funeral home, then its important to be serious, no one wants to hold a wake in a hip funeral home.
However, you probably dont need to be formal, so get creative!
Can You Get A Domain Name For Free
So far, weve covered two ways to buy a domain name. But can you get one for free? The answer is yes. There are three ways to get a free domain:
While you can get a good domain name for free, you should consider how professional your domain makes your website look. Your TLD conveys legitimacy, authority, and trustworthiness to visitors.
People trust familiar TLDs the most, and over 37% of domains currently have the TLD .com. So, while you might be able to get a .ml or .tumblr domain for free, investing in the .com domain may pay off better long term.
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Its An Easy & Inexpensive Way To Protect Your Identity Online The Cost To Prevent The Problems I Outlined Is Very Low
Domain names are less than $15/year. I also recommend adding privacy . Thats full price at GoDaddy, but RARELY do I pay full price.
My last purchase was $14.87. You can usually find coupons or get a discount for buying 5 at a time. You can also save by just buying the .com versions. If you really want to protect it, buy the .net and .org, but skip all the other variations.
TAKE ACTION: Learn more about how to register your domain names. Dont let your online brand be hijacked by someone else! Better safe than sorry!!
Hello Service-Based Entrepreneur,
I know its easy to get overwhelmed by reading blog posts full of ideas, tactics & tools. Be honest…
- How frustrated will you be trying to implement this on your own?
- How much time will you waste if it’s not your next best step?
- Did you just take the time to read this but you won’t make any changes?
- Or are you ready to take a small next step to build your brand?
Trusted The World Over
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Namecheap has been a trusted partner for our critical domain names. As we continue to grow, we know we can always count on them.
Dylan Field, Co-founder and CEO, Figma
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We’ve been using Namecheap for all our domains for years, and have always been able to count on them. Their technology just works, and their support is phenomenal. Highly recommended!
Alan Schaaf, founder and CEO, Imgur
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With a high value domain name like Privacy.com, it’s important to use a registrar that you trust. We can sleep at night knowing that Namecheap is keeping our asset secure.
Bo Jiang, CEO, Privacy.com
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Namecheap has quickly become our default registrar for the various domain names we use as part of our Buffer offering. A clear and intuitive dashboard combined with wide support across a number of top-level domains and a responsive team add up to an unbeatable experience.
Colin Ross, Engineering Manager, Buffer
Frequently asked questions
Above all else, we strive to deliver outstanding customer experiences. When you buy a domain name from Namecheap, we guarantee it will be handed over to you with superior standards of service and support. Our primary goal is to build a customer-focused atmosphere filled with the happiest customers in the galaxy. The Namecheap guarantee is our mark of excellence.
Products might be the same, but every customer is different. Thats why we tailor our deals to suit as many people as possible. So you get exactly what you need, for less.
Still have questions?
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How To Buy A Domain Name In 3 Steps
Buying a domain name may seem like a daunting process. After all, there are so many domain extensions and domain name registrars to choose from, it can be quite difficult to know where to start. However, once you know what is involved in buying a domain name, the process becomes pretty straightforward.
There are three steps that you have to follow to buy a domain name:
Add Your Occupation Or Other Terms
If your full name isnt available, add a qualifying term. The most important thing is that your domain name indicates what your site is about. Of course, there are many factors in play but a site domain using your full business name has a much better chance of ranking vs. one that does not.
Leverage any keywords that support what you do. For example, if you run a cafe in Boston, you might want to check if yournamecafe.com, or yournameboston.com is on the market. The word resume can also be used: michaelwalmanresume.com.
When you first begin the search, it helps to have at least 5 terms or phrases in mind that describe your business. When this list is ready, you can start adding suffixes and prefixes and pair the keywords to create good domain ideas.
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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.
How Do You Get A Business Domain Name
To get a business domain name, you must first decide the right domain name for your business and then purchase it from a domain name registrar. You can often purchase a domain from your web hosting company, as oftentimes, a website builder technology doubles as a domain name registrar. In fact, the initial domain-registration process and website hosting steps often take place simultaneously when you start your business website. In other words, many companies through which you can register your domain double as web hosting companies.
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Have An Authoritative Email Address
Buying a domain isnt just about websitesyou can also use them for email addresses. This means, instead of an address that ends with gmail.com or outlook.com, email addresses can end with a domain owned by your company.
You can read about , but it boils down to a few key points.
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Branding. Emails look like theyre coming from your company, not from a free email service. This looks more professional.
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Control. You can give employees an address ending with @companyname.com, which you can take control of should they leave the company.
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Flexibility. You can point your domain to any email service, meaning you can switch email providers without having to inform all of your customers about a new email address.
Need an email host? Check out our list of .
Add Credibility To Your Business
Having a personal domain name with the right extensions makes every company look more professional. Generic addresses simply dont inspire confidence in clients, therefore making a poor choice would directly reflect on the business that is being promoted. Logically, the customers might think that you are not willing to invest in your business, thus come to the conclusion that your products or services are also low quality. This is a risk that needs to be avoided.
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