One of the crucial steps in building an online presence for your business is registering a domain name. Not only does it represent your unique identity, but it is also a reflection of what the company is all about. A domain name is like a virtual address where customers can access your services worldwide. It is like your name, that unique identification that makes you stand out as a person.
While the process of registering a new business domain looks straightforward, you don’t want to go about it in a rush. Considering that the name you choose will be an image of your entire organizational values, you want to consider making the best choice.
First, you want to go for a domain relevant to your business’s niche. It should be easy to spell or pronounce and has no existing copyright protection. Selecting the domain register is another crucial factor to consider. While many big brands have high reputations, you also want to consider the cost and other services offered.
Ultimately, understanding the relevance of a perfect domain name for your business allows you to take a thoughtful process while considering registering one. Read on to learn some practical steps to follow.
Search for Available Domain Names
A domain name represents your business identity, just like people name their kids or tag their dogs. The difference is that while two people can have the same name, it is not the same for corporate entities, which explains why you must do a thorough search.
Imagine that you want to set up a review platform that helps Australians choose the best pokies sites. A domain name like www.australiainternetpokies.com sounds good because it covers the keywords of interest and includes a location signifier. However, the name may be taken. When that happens, you can introduce some variations while trying as much as possible to keep your business name intact. Instead of “internet”, you can try using “online” to see if it’s available.
If your site will offer bonuses and other perks like guides on how to play casino games, then adding something in the domain that reflects that is a good idea. One of the easiest ways to go about it is to use a domain name generator. There are tons of websites that offer such services. Once you enter your proposed name, they offer suggestions, including domain extensions. For example, if the first website is unavailable in .com, it could be available in .co, .net, or .org. In such cases, you don’t have to make any significant changes to your proposed name.
Choose a Domain Name Registrar
A registrar simply reserves and registers business domains for prospective users. While there are many domain name registration options to choose from, there are several factors you must consider. Often, cost is a significant constraint, especially for small firms. There are many cheap registrars, but these options may not provide you with the necessary security and privacy that your business needs. Some registrars offer names and web hosting in one place, which is a good option. GoDaddy.com, Google Domains, and NameCheap are the top alternatives in this category.
Meanwhile, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) oversees all registrations directly with the individual or through third parties like GoDaddy. The registration fee usually varies between $10 and $35 per year. However, one of the benefits of going through a domain provider is that the cost might be waived for you for some time or included as a part of the web hosting plan. This is common for WordPress and website builders like Wix and Squarespace.
Purchase and Register Your Domain Name
Once you have successfully verified the availability of your domain name, decide on the registrar you intend to use and proceed to make the payment. As we mentioned, you can purchase it directly from ICANN. However, it will be publicly displayed on the registry. Hence, many businesses prefer to use private registrars like GoDaddy or Wix for privacy for an additional fee.
Add the purchase to your cart and proceed to make payment. The price varies and is charged annually. It is possible to pay for multiple years if the pricing is more favorable. Otherwise, annual renewal is the most popular plan.
Read the Contract to Familiarize Yourself with the Legalities
Trademark infringement and copyright issues are some legal considerations that are crucial in registering a domain name. Before deciding on what to use, go through the systematic process of doing a background check. Ensure that the name is available and does not infringe on existing trademarks. Sometimes, a little tweak is not enough and can attract legal action. Likewise, depending on the location, you also want to check the local laws and restrictions on specific domains.
Configure DNS Settings
After the registration, the next point of call is configuring the Domain Name System (DNS). It is a crucial protocol that decodes domain names like WorldSpace.com into a unique IP address to enhance communication from request to response. Every query is sent to the DNS resolver configured on your device or network.
You can use the default DNS the registrar provides, especially if they offer web hosting services like GoDaddy. If not, you can use custom DNS settings if the registrar for the domain name is not the same as the host for the website.
Renew your Domain
When your selected domain name gets approved, it is valid for a specific period, usually one year. Once it expires, you must renew the agreement with the registrar to continue using it.
Failure to renew as when due could result in losing the domain name. Depending on the registrar, you may get notified via email with a grace period of up to 30 days. Afterward, the name could be auctioned, and recovering it can be difficult and sometimes impossible.
Sharon Howe is a creative person with diverse talents. She writes engaging articles for WonderWorldSpace.com, where she works as a content writer. Writing allows Sharon to inform and captivate readers. Additionally, Sharon pursues music as a hobby, which allows her to showcase her artistic abilities in another creative area.