Building a brand for your online business?
A domain name is where you begin. But if you’re like many people, choosing the right domain name can be tricky, and the process might feel overwhelming. A poor choice can confuse visitors, and missing a crucial step could cost you later.
Don’t worry—this guide is here to make it simple. We’ll guide you through the process of registering a domain name that perfectly reflects your brand.
Let’s get started!
What is a domain name and why I should register one?
A domain name is a unique address on the internet, like “yourwebsite.com.” It directs people to a website when typed into a browser. Registering a domain name gives you ownership of an internet address and allows you to build a site for people to land on.
A domain name matters because it adds credibility to your web presence and protects your brand by ensuring no one else can use that name. Owning a domain name is a key step in establishing yourself or your business on the web.
How to register a domain name – 6 easy steps
1. Choose the right domain name
Before registering, it’s important to pick your perfect domain name. If you’ve already got a name in mind, feel free to skip ahead to the next part. But if you’re still unsure, here are key things to consider when picking your ideal domain name:
Represent your brand
Your domain name is key to your online identity and should represent your brand. Keep it short, memorable, and relevant to your business.
For example, if your gym is called “Kyle Gym,” a domain like “kylegym.com” instantly tells people what you offer. A strong domain helps customers connect with your brand quickly.
Keyword optimization
Search engines like Google look at domain names to figure out what your site is about. If your domain includes keywords related to your business, it tells search engines that your site matches what people are searching for.
For example, a domain like “EcoEssentials.com” is likely to rank for searches about eco-friendly products. However, ranking on top is not guaranteed, as many other factors, like backlinks, content quality, and site performance, also affect search engine rankings.
Avoid special characters
Stay away from special characters like hyphens or numbers that could confuse users. For instance, “[email protected]” may seem playful, but users might forget whether it’s a number or a word. Stick with something easy to spell and type, like “FunBakery.com,” to avoid potential confusion.
Use Web.com AI domain name generator
You can get additional ideas by using an AI domain name generator. This works like magic; you’ll just write keywords that describe your business, and then the AI tool will suggest domain names that suit your interest.
2. Check domain availability
Once you have a domain name in mind, the next step is to check if it’s available for purchase. Fortunately, Web.com has a tool that simplifies this process—our domain search tool. It’s free to use and ready to assist you once you’ve chosen your domain name.
To get started:
- Go to Web.com.
- Navigate to the “Domains” section. Then, tap “Domain Name Search”
- Enter the domain name you want to check in the search bar.
- Click “Search” to see if your chosen domain is available.
- If available, process the purchase. If not, the tool will suggest similar alternatives.
Explore other extensions
Most people prefer to use a .com extension for their domain, but there’s many other options now, like .net, .shop, or industry-specific ones like .tech or .store. If your first choice is taken, you can consider using a different top-level domain (TLD) or extension.
For example, if “TechBusiness.com” isn’t available, you could use “TechBusiness.tech” instead. While .com is the most recognized, using a niche extension can give you an edge if it aligns with your business goals.
3. Choose a domain registrar
A domain registrar is a company that reserves and manages domain name registrations for you. When you purchase a domain, the registrar ensures your domain is officially registered and connected to the global Domain Name System (DNS). Think of it as the gatekeeper that helps secure your spot on the internet.
When choosing your registrar, consider the following:
- Pricing and renewal fees. Some registrars offer low initial prices but higher renewal fees, so make sure you understand the long-term costs.
- Domain privacy and SSL certificate. Choose a registrar that offers Domain Privacy and an SSL certificate. Domain privacy hides your details from the public WHOIS database, and SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts data sent between your site and its visitors. This prevents spam and identity theft. Some registrars include it for free, while others charge an extra fee.
- Customer support. If you ever encounter domain issues, responsive support is critical. Look for registrars with a solid reputation for helping customers quickly and efficiently.
Why choose Web.com to register your domain?
Web.com is an excellent choice for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to register their domain. Here’s why:
- Unique value with free .online domain registration. When you register a .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, or .us domain with Web.com, you’ll receive a free .online domain for one year, along with one year of free Domain Privacy. This added benefit helps protect your brand and enhances your online presence. (Note: This offer applies to non-premium .online domains and is based on availability.)
- Award-winning service. Web.com has earned numerous awards, including the “Best Overall Website Building Platform,” demonstrating its reliability and top-notch service offerings.
- Comprehensive solutions. As a one-stop-shop, Web.com provides everything you need to secure your domain name and grow your online presence, from website hosting and building to marketing tools like SEO and email marketing.
- User-friendly experience: With a simple interface and excellent customer support available 24/7, Web.com makes it easy for users to find, purchase, and manage domain names without any hassle.
- Flexible Professional Services: Whether you want to manage your domain on your own or need expert assistance, Web.com offers flexible options, ensuring your online needs are met as your business grows.
4. Register your domain name
Once you’ve chosen your domain name and selected a domain registrar, it’s time to register your domain. The exact registration process varies depending on the platform or registrar you’re using. Typically, the registrar will guide you through the steps.
Here’s how registering your domain name on Web.com works:
- Go to https://www.web.com/.
- In the search bar, input the domain name you want and then click the Search button.
- Once you find an available domain, you will receive a confirmation message like the one shown in the image. The domain will automatically add to your cart. If you’re ready to move forward, simply click the Continue button.
- You will be asked to choose domain add-ons. Select your preferred add-on by clicking the ADD button underneath. If you do not want add-ons for your domain, click the Continue to Cart button.
- Review the Order Summary and consider adding Domain Privacy to keep your personal information hidden from the public WHOIS database. You can also add Domain Expiry Protection to ensure your domain stays registered, even if there’s a payment issue. Once you’re ready, click Continue to Checkout.
- You need to sign in or register for an account.
- Select the desired term for the products and services you want to purchase before clicking the Checkout button.
- Before placing the order, you must choose the payment method and provide the payment information.
Why add domain privacy?
When you register a domain, your personal information—like your name, address, phone number, and email—is added to a public database called WHOIS. This means anyone can look it up, which could lead to unwanted spam, marketing calls, or even identity theft.
Adding domain privacy with Web.com helps safeguard your personal information by keeping your contact details hidden from the public. This reduces spam and unwanted contact, like unsolicited emails and calls. It also enhances security by making it harder for hackers to target you, providing an extra layer of protection for your online presence.
5. Renew your domain
To keep control of your website, you need to renew your domain regularly. This is especially important if you’ve already built a brand around it. If your domain expires, someone else could buy it, and getting it back can be expensive, slow, or even impossible if a competitor snags it.
Letting your domain expire can also hurt your business by stopping emails, taking your site offline, and lowering your search rankings. These issues can lead to lost sales and damage your reputation.
However, if you no longer have time to manage your domain or aren’t interested in keeping it, you can still profit by selling a domain. Popular domains can be valuable to buyers.
Set up auto-renew with Web.com
Web.com makes domain management simple with auto-renewal. Once it’s set up, your domain renews automatically, so you don’t have to worry about missing renewal dates. This lets you focus on your business without the hassle. You can easily turn it off in your Web.com account settings if you no longer need auto-renew. Just keep track of your renewal dates if you disable it.
Protect your domain with expiry protection.
To avoid losing your domain by mistake, it’s a good idea to add Domain Expiry Protection when registering your domain. This feature keeps your domain active even if there’s a problem with your payment. If your domain expires, Domain Expiry Protection gives you an extra year to renew it, so you don’t lose it right away. It helps protect your website and gives you peace of mind knowing your domain is still in your hands.
6. Build your website
Once you’ve registered your domain, it’s time to build your online presence with a website.
A website lets you share information, showcase products or services, and connect with people around the world. Starting with a simple page can make your domain name more useful and engaging.
With Web.com, you can start building your site right away, even without technical skills.
Web.com offers tools to simplify website building. Our AI website builder includes a drag-and-drop editor, so you can design your site without coding.
You can access this through our web hosting services, which also comes with a free domain name right after you get the basic hosting plan.
Additionally, we offer a variety of customizable templates to match your style or brand. All designs are mobile-friendly, ensuring your site looks good on any device.
Common domain registration mistakes to avoid
Choosing a complicated name.
Avoid hard-to-spell or long domain names. They’re tough to remember and prone to errors. Stick with simple and clear names for better user experience.
Ignoring renewal.
Set up auto-renewal or keep a close watch on your domain’s expiration date—losing it can hurt your business and create unnecessary stress. Auto-renewal helps keep your domain active, but adding Domain Expiration Protection (DEP) with Web.com provides even more security. If auto-renewal fails due to a payment issue, like an expired credit card, DEP will ensure your domain is renewed, so you never have to worry about losing it unexpectedly.
Skipping keyword research
Domains with relevant keywords can help users understand what your site is about. While it’s not the only factor for SEO, a clear, descriptive name tied to your niche can still give your brand a boost.
Not checking for trademarks
Before registering a domain, ensure it doesn’t conflict with existing trademarks. Using a trademarked name could lead to legal issues, and you may be forced to relinquish the domain.
Take the first step toward your online success
Choosing the right domain name is the first step to building your online presence. By selecting a name that reflects your brand, you’re also setting yourself up for success.
Turn your online visions to reality. Secure your domain name with Web.com’s easy-to-use domain registration. Then, bring your website to life using our AI-powered website builder. It’s designed to be quick and intuitive to help you succeed.
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to register a domain?
The cost varies but usually starts around $5 to $20 per year, depending on the extension.
2.What do I do if my domain name is unavailable?
If your desired domain name is unavailable:
- Check alternate extensions. Try different TLDs like .net, .org, or country-specific extensions.
- Modify the name. Use synonyms, add locations, or include action words.
- Hyphenate carefully. Use hyphens to separate words but avoid overcomplicating.
- Consider purchasing. Look up the domain’s WHOIS information and contact the owner to see if they’re willing to sell.
3. What is the domain name system (DNS)?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the internet’s phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. This system allows users to access websites using memorable addresses instead of numerical IP addresses.
4.Can I use alternative domain names for my website?
Yes, you can register multiple domain names and redirect them to your main website. This helps capture traffic from misspellings, variations of your business name, or different domain extensions, ensuring visitors reach your site regardless of the domain they use.
5. Can I own a domain name permanently?
You cannot own a domain name permanently; you register it for a specified period, typically from one to ten years. However, you can renew your registration indefinitely as long as you continue to pay the renewal fees before the domain expires.
6. What Is the difference between a domain name and a business name?
A business name is the official name of your company used legally and for branding purposes, while a domain name is your website’s address, such as www.yourbusiness.com. They don’t have to be the same but aligning them can strengthen your brand recognition.
7. Can I change my domain name after registration?
Once registered, a domain name cannot be changed. If you want a different domain, you’ll need to register a new one. You can then:
- Redirect the old domain. Point it to the new domain so visitors reach your site.
- Update branding. Change your website, marketing materials, and inform customers of the new domain.
- Consider SEO implications. Implement proper redirects to maintain search engine rankings.
8. Are there legal considerations when choosing a domain name?
Yes, you should avoid trademark infringement by not registering domain names that include trademarks you don’t own. Check for existing businesses to ensure your domain doesn’t conflict with established company names and be aware that some domain extensions have specific rules or restrictions. Violating trademarks can lead to legal disputes and loss of your domain.
