You’ve got a fantastic business idea and you want to get it up and running. You can do this by registering your domain name, but how?
In this article, we’ll go through all the steps you need to take to register a domain name, so you can select the one that’s right for you and purchase a website domain.
What Is A Domain Name?
A domain name is used to identify a computer or device on the internet. It can also be used to identify a website. Domain names are sometimes called internet addresses, and they always start with “http://.”
When you register a domain name, you are creating an online identity for your business. Your domain name is often the first thing that people see when they visit your site, and it will have a huge impact on how they perceive you. It is essential that you register the most appropriate domain name for your business – if it doesn’t reflect the correct branding and message, then it can lead to confusion and lost customers.
What Are The Different Types Of Domains?
You may have noticed that your domain name ends in “.com”, that’s because the top level of your domain name (TLD) is .com.
Your second-level domain name is the part before the TLD—for example, if you have a business called “SmithElectrics”, your second-level domain would be “smithelectrics”.
The most common type of TLD is called generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD). These include: .com, .net, .org and many others that end with a letter like “a” or “o” for example: .coffee or .bookkeeping
What To Consider When Choosing a Domain Name
When you’re choosing a domain name, there are several things to consider:
- Make it easy to remember and relevant to your business. Your domain name should be easy for people who don’t know you or your business to remember. You want them to be able to type it into the search bar on their computer and have it pop up with results immediately—if it’s too difficult to spell or remember, people just won’t bother to search for it.
- Make sure it’s unique. This means that no one else has registered the same word as yours (or close variations). This is called trademark infringement and can get expensive if someone else files a lawsuit against you over this situation.
Trademarking
Trademarking a domain name is not necessary, but it can help protect your business. Trademarking a domain name also protects your brand, which means that no one else can use it without permission or a licence.
If you’re interested in trademarking a domain name, we recommend consulting an attorney or an intellectual property lawyer who specialises in trademarks.
Make It Easy To Remember
Your domain name should be easy to remember, spell, and pronounce. If it is too long or complicated, people will have trouble finding your website.
One thing you can do is use your brand name as the first word in the domain name. If you have multiple words in your company name or an acronym that everyone knows (like NASA), you can use those as well! It’s best if they’re short and simple, don’t forget about keywords.
Length
A short and memorable URL is better than one that’s long and difficult to remember or say.
Hyphens and Dashes
Hyphens and dashes are allowed in domain names, but not all of them. It’s generally best to avoid using hyphens and dashes (and spaces) because they can confuse people trying to type your website address into their browsers. Domain names may become too complicated by adding hyphens, slashes, underscores, or other punctuation marks just for the sake of it—it’ll only make it harder for people to remember your website address.
Pricing
How much does it cost to register a domain name? This is the most important question you need to answer before you start searching for the best domain names. The cost will depend on several factors, including where your business is located and what kind of site you’re creating.
Chosen Suffix
A domain name is made up of two parts: a suffix and a top-level domain (TLD). The TLD is the part of your URL that comes after “www.”
- The suffix is the second part of your URL, following your web address’s TLD. For example, if you have a website at www.example.com, then the suffix would be .com.
- A domain name refers to both parts together as one label, also known as an “internet address” or an “internet protocol address.”
Where To Buy Your Domain Name
You can buy a domain name from different companies called domain registrars. These are companies that offer these services to businesses and customers.
What’s the difference between a registrar and a registry? A registrar is just a company that oversees registering the domain names, while a registry manages all the technical stuff related to it.
There are several different types of domains you can register:
- .com – for commercial websites
- .edu – for educational purposes (universities, schools)
- .net – for internet providers or other similar entities
- .org – non-profit organisations
My New Venture’s recommended domain registration sites:
How To Register Your Chosen Domain
- Choose a domain registrar
You’ll need to pick a domain registrar before you can register your chosen domain name. A domain name is the website address of your site, such as “example.com,” and the company that manages these addresses is called a registrar.
You can choose from any number of online or physical companies.
- Find your domain name
Once you’ve selected a registrar, find the perfect name for your website by browsing their database of available domains (you’ll see this listed on their homepage).
Purchase Your Domain Name From Your Chosen Domain Registration Site
Once you’ve selected the domain name you want, it’s time to check the availability of that name. This means that your chosen name is not already registered to someone else, and it also means that someone isn’t using your desired site address for an email address or other web-based use.
Select Any Relevant Add-Ons (Security/Protection)
Selecting any relevant add-ons for security concerns or data protection will differ for each registrar. Before confirming your order and making a payment, consider whether the add-ons on offer are suitable for your small business.
Verify Your Ownership
The next thing you need to do is verify your ownership of the domain name. This is done by using the WHOIS database, which has a lot of information on who owns what domain names and when they were registered and transferred.
So, there you have it. Registering a domain name for your small business may seem like a daunting task but with the right guidance, you can easily simplify the process. Learn more on My New Venture.
