Why Do You Need To Purchase 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 Buy A Domain Name: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you wondering how to buy a domain name? Well break down the exact steps for you in this guide.

Whether youre a new business owner about to create your first website, a marketer branching out into a new field, or just want a website for your hobby, weve got you covered.

Registering a domain may seem tricky if youve never done it before. But its surprisingly easy after all, there are over 1.9 billion websites online .

In this article, well teach you how to buy a domain name and review some of the best domain registrars on the market .

Lets go.

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How Many Domains Can I Own

The short answer is that you can own as many domains as you want- but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, each domain will need to be registered with a domain registrar, and you will need to pay an annual fee for each one.

Additionally, you will need to set up separate hosting and email accounts for each domain. Although some web host providers offer unlimited website hosting plans.

So, while there is no limit to the number of domains you can own, it can get expensive and time-consuming to manage multiple sites.

That said, if you have the resources to do so, there is no reason why you couldnt own dozens or even hundreds of domains. So go ahead and register away!

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How To Choose And Purchase A Domain Name

Entrepreneur

In his book Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Your Website, SEO and online expert Jon Rognerud shows you how to build a high-performance website and get top ranking on all search engines. In this edited excerpt, the author outlines how to go about selecting and purchasing a domain name for your site that will help people find you.

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Choosing and purchasing a domain name is an extremely important part of designing your website, because that becomes the name of your website. To buy a domain name, you can do so directly from your web hosting provider or through a separate domain name service . If you’re using a separate domain name service for your server, make sure you choose one such as no-IP. com, which assigns you a static IP address, the numerical address that identifies your computer. If this address is ever-changing , you won’t be able to successfully assign a domain name to your server. I personally use Register.com, Namecheap.com, or GoDaddy.com because I like the independence that these services provide.

Go to GoDaddy.com/domains/searchbulk.aspx and enter keywords that you’re thinking about, and GoDaddy will format them and check the various extensions and names. It will automatically check to see if they’re registered and remove ones already taken, leaving you with a list of keyword-rich domains that are available for you!

Here’s a list of where you can buy/research domains:

Use The Right Domain Name Extensions

While there are many different domain name extensions , only a few of them are truly worthwhile for serious projects. More obscure TLDs like .biz or .info have a bad reputation, while others like .ly are generally just novelties.

Since .com is used by virtually every business and organization around the world, it is trusted by most people. Ergo, websites with a global or American audience should use .com and not .io, .ly, or other TLDs.

In certain countries, some TLDs are more popular than .coms. For example, .de and .fr domains are popular in Germany and France, respectively. These TLDs also have SEO benefits, which can be helpful if your eCommerce store sells primarily to certain regions.

In other words, if you are selling products primarily to a French audience, it may make sense to use a .fr domain If this is the situation in your region or country, it may make sense to use your local TLD.

In other situations, using a non-standard TLD might be also popular and justified. For example, in the tech industry, companies working on artificial intelligence often use the .ai domain.

However, they almost always own the corresponding .com

Most non-technical people are only aware of .com and assume that all websites use it. Even if you are a nonprofit organization and have .org as a part of your branded name, many people will still type Name.com into their browser address bar. If you dont own that domain, you could lose out on a ton of traffic!

Just Google It

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Should I Get Private Registration For My Domain

The only one who could provide a satisfying answer to this question is the customer or web owner himself. You need to weigh in the pros and cons that private registration does to your contact info and how it translates to your website or business.

While the domain name is great, some websites dont need it. For instance, if you feel that there is little to no danger in exposing your contact info on the Internet then it becomes optional. However, if you feel that you value your privacy and dont want to get annoying calls or messages, then private registration is a must.

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Why Should I Own One

As I learned first-hand, having a custom domain gives you an instant credibility boost. It doesnt matter whether youre using a personal site to help you land a job, increase your visibility in your field or industry, find freelance gigs, showcase your work, or promote your brand: The more credibility you have, the better.

Plus, custom domains are usually far easier to remember than generic ones. Imagine you told someone you met at a networking event to check out your site, janedoeportfolio.squarespace.com. Hell probably forget the link by the time he gets in front of his laptop. However, janedoe.bio will be a cinch to remember. These names also look much more sleek when you put them on business cards, in the header of your resume, or anywhere else you might be directing people to learn more about you.

A domain that incorporates your name also helps others find you in search results. When someone enters your first and last name into Google, theyre much more likely to see your website if its domain matches their search. When you search Aja Frost, for example, my site is the first thing that comes up:

This gives you the chance to really own the conversation around your personal brand, making sure people see what you want them to see first.

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Attract New Customers That Is Harder To Find You Offline

If you are a small business you rely mostly on local clients . When you have an online presence people from different areas can find you and learn more for your product or services.

Search engines like google trying to match queries from users with the best results. There is a chance that your site can be the answer to their queries if they seek for some specific service or product.

How Do You Buy Domain Names

You can buy domain names from one of the many domain name registrars, such as Bluehost , GoDaddy , HostGator , and several others. The registrars usually charge for the domain name in 1 year increments, though some allow you to pay upfront for up to 10 years at the time of registration.

In addition to a domain name youll also need a website hosting account as well. In fact, you almost always approach one of the many hosting companies, which in addition to selling you a hosting plan also offer domain registration services. This arrangement allows you to manage both services under one account.

While the exact process of buying a domain name varies, you usually start by searching if your desired domain name is available. Almost every domain name registrar has a dedicated tool for this purpose. Some of the good ones will go one step ahead and give you suggestions for other potential domain names, if the one you were looking for has already been taken.

Youll then have to pay for the domain name and the price depends on the TLD, with some being more expensive than others. Again, the good domain name registrars will give you the option to buy and park the domain name with different TLDs, and perhaps even offer a discount if you choose to do so. Once the domain name is paid for and registered youll be able to use it to host your website.

• We’ve featured the best website builder software.

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Can I Have A Website Without A Domain

Yes, it is possible. However, this website wont be as personalized and easy to find, also, it will not have that touch of credibility and professional look that you have when you register a domain name to have your unique online identity.

All in all, if you dont choose a name and set it as your domains name, you will have your websites graphical interface and it will work, but when people visit your site, it wont be as easy to remember the name of your brand.

Also, wont probably show your business when people look up the name of your business, and you wont have a custom domain email address for business-related interactions.

Can Someone Steal My Domain Name

Someone can steal your domain name if they get access to your domain registrar account. Use strong passwords to protect your accounts online, and enable two-factor authentication if its offered by your domain registrar.

Amanda B.

Amanda is a Content Writer at Hostinger with an extensive passion for WordPress and digital marketing. She aims to produce content that can help readers further their businesses and careers. In her free time, she loves hiking, reading books, and filling her bullet journal.

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Reasons Why You Need A Domain Name For Your Website

If you are in the internet industry, a domain name is more important than you may realize. Most small business owners have not taken the step forward because they just dont know why a company name server is key to taking their company to the next level.

Thats why in this post, we will talk about why you need a domain name for your website and will discuss as well the most important benefits and reasons for which you should obtain your individual free domain name from us.

Find A Custom Domain For Your Site

Whether youre working on a blog, an online portfolio, or an online shop, Mailchimp offers custom domains that can make all the difference to your online presence. And theres no reason to stop there. Use Mailchimp to build your website and connect it to our all-in-one marketing platform to really make your offerings stand out from the rest.

Learn more about how to get a free domain name from Mailchimp and how our offer compares to the competition.

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How To Register A Domain Name With Godaddy

If youre ready to make your mark on the internet but are not sure how to actually register your domain name, heres a step-by-step process for registering your available domain name with GoDaddy.

1. Enter the domain name in GoDaddys domain name search bar.

2. Click Add to Cart.

3. If desired, register additional extensions to protect your online brand. Click Add to Cart for each additional domain name.

4. Click Continue to Cart.

5. Select a domain privacy plan, or click No Thanks.

6. Decide if you want to attach your domain name to a free starter website.

Keep the box checked for Start your website for free if you want to attach your domain name to a free trial of GoDaddys Website Builder. Uncheck the box if you want to pass.

7. Decide if you want to attach your domain name to a professional email address.

Choose from three professional email plans or keep the box checked to No Thanks.

8. Click Continue to Cart.

9. Sign into your GoDaddy account or click Create Account.

Youll be prompted to enter your billing and payment information. GoDaddy offers several payment methods so choose the one thats most convenient for you. You will need to provide your billing address but if youve chosen domain privacy in the previous step, that information will not be visible to the public.

10. Review your order under My Items and click Complete Purchase.

Consider registering your domain name for a longer term to save money in the long run and prevent accidental domain expiration.

Win A Domain Name In An Auction

An additional way to purchase a domain is via auction. Domains that are no longer required but have value are put up for auction. Functionally, this process operates mostly the same as with domains that are for sale, except with a deadline.

Most domain registrars have a separate section for auctions:

• Sedo Domain Auctions

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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.

What Is Domain Privacy And Why Do You Need It

When registering or purchasing a new domain name, you will be required to add your name, phone number, physical address, and other information. This information is then displayed in the WHOIS database and can be publicly accessed by anyone.

• NameCheap Whois Lookup Tool

For a small additional fee, you can add the option of hiding your name and other information from the WHOIS database. Some registrars also include this for free.

Many TLDs are private by default and dont require an extra payment. These include most European Union-based TLDs like .de , .fr , and .nl , as well as .ca . Note that .it does not allow for domain privacy.

Others domains, including .us , .au , and .in explicitly forbid privacy protections and the registration information is required to be public by law.

Why Should You Bother With Domain Privacy?

There are many reasons, some of which arent obvious at first.

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How To Choose A Domain Name Registrar

The first step toward buying a domain name for your new venture is selecting a domain name registrar.

There are several factors youll want to consider when selecting your domain registrar, but before going into those details, lets break things down a bit and explain a few different terms that you might come across as youre searching for the right domain name registrar.

Registrar refers to a company, such as GoDaddy, that manages the domain name registration process. Different domain extensions are managed by their respective registries, but those registries dont sell domains directly to users . Thats where the registrar comes into play.

Like a middle man, the registrar works with the registries in order to deliver domains to end-users.

So, now that youre a bit more familiar with how the registry/registrar relationship works, lets take a look at what to consider when selecting your domain registrar.

How To Buy A Domain Name

First of all, don’t procrastinate. You might be inclined to wait to purchase a domain name until you really need it such as when your business is launching or you’re almost ready to publish the website. But the longer you wait, the more opportunity there is for your ideal domain name to be purchased by someone else.

In fact, there are people and organizations known as cybersquatters that buy potentially attractive domain names and hold them for the specific intention of trying to sell them at an inflated price to businesses who want them. If you were hoping to acquire a simple conceptual domain, odds are it’s already gone. So buy your domain now and hold it for when you eventually need it.

To purchase a domain name, simply visit a domain name registrar, use the site’s search tool to find a domain you want to use, and then follow the instructions to purchase it. Common registrars include Domain.com, GoDaddy.com, and Namecheap.com.

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