So, you’ve bought a domain. Congratulations! You’re now a few steps closer to building your online presence.
If you’re wondering what to do after buying a domain, we’re here to help with the next steps in building an online presence. From setting up a hosting service to launching your site, we’ll go over everything you need to develop the digital footprint.
Now, let’s get down to business and explore the ins and outs of creating a fully functioning website.
Step 1: Choosing the right web hosting company
Your website is the collection of files and applications that create a complete online experience. However, none of this will be accessible without a web hosting service. Think of a web host as an online equivalent of a physical retail space. It’s where you store and display everything you want your customers to see. The same thing goes with a hosting service. But, unlike a physical shop with limited hours, a web host ensures your site runs 24/7.
Here are five types of hosting services most providers offer:
Shared hosting
In a shared hosting service, your website shares a server with other websites, like sharing an apartment with roommates. Each site has its own space, but they all rely on the same server resources, such as RAM and bandwidth. This setup is ideal for startups, small businesses, and personal blogs.
Managed WordPress hosting
If you’re building a WordPress site, consider WordPress-optimized hosting. This type of hosting is designed for WordPress sites to have faster load times and better performance. It seamlessly integrates with essential WordPress themes and WordPress plugins that make your site run smoothly, even with high traffic.
VPS hosting
With virtual private server (VPS) hosting, you still have the same physical server as other users, but you’re allocated a separate virtual space. This setup is ideal for eCommerce shops with growing traffic.
In VPS hosting, you’ll get a dedicated portion of resources, including bandwidth, storage, and RAM. These are all essential for the performance and stability of your website.
Dedicated hosting
As the word “dedicated” implies, dedicated hosting gives you an entire server. You won’t share resources with anyone else. This is great for high-traffic websites or if you’d like extra control over your hosting environment. This concept is similar to renting a house entirely for yourself. You decide on all customizations and configurations. To top it off, dedicated hosting offers enhanced speed, reliability, and versatility.
Cloud hosting
Cloud hosting is a network of virtual servers. They work together to keep your site running smoothly. Like how Google Drive stores files across the cloud for easy access, cloud hosting spreads your site’s data across multiple servers. If one server has high traffic or downtime, others will step in to keep your website online. This is great for an online store, as it efficiently handles high traffic with high scalability far beyond the limits of a single server.
With these hosting options in mind, choosing the right web host is essential for keeping your website accessible, stable, and ready to grow. Look for providers that offer reliable uptime, responsive customer support, and scalability options.
Step 2: Transferring your domain (if necessary)
Transferring your domain means moving it away from one domain registrar to another. This is important if you want to manage both your domain and web hosting under a single provider, but initially registered your domain with a different company.
Important note: If you just registered your domain, you must wait 60 days before transferring it. This rule is set by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to prevent unauthorized transfers.
How to transfer your domain to your web host:
- Unlock your domain. Access your account with your current domain registrar and find the option to unlock your domain. This is usually found under security or domain settings.
- Obtain the authorization code. Request an authorization or extensible provisioning protocol (EPP) code from your current registrar. This code is required to approve the transfer.
- Start the transfer with your new provider. Go to the domain transfer page of your new web host, type in your domain name and authorization code, and then follow the instructions that follow.
- Confirm the transfer. You’ll get an email from both your current and new registrar requesting transfer confirmation. Follow the instructions to approve the transfer.
- Wait for completion. After you approve the transfer, log in to your account, head to the Domains section, and check the transfer status. Transfers usually take 5–7 business days.
Step 3: Building your website
When it’s time to build your site, you have two main choices: a website builder and a content management system (CMS), like WordPress. Consulting a professional web developer to create a fully customized online store or website is also an option.
Website builders
If you’re new to website building, a website builder is a great place to start. These platforms can be user-friendly and include drag-and-drop features that make the process easier.
Most website builders offer customizable themes and templates. These are incredible features that allow you to design your new website even without the technical skills.

If you choose to build your site with Web.com, you’ll get access to tools that make the process simple. You can set up an online store with ease using eCommerce features and improve your visibility with SEO options to reach the right audience.
Not to mention, the drag and drop builder that lets you design your site to fit your brand perfectly. All designs are mobile friendly, so your site looks great on any device. You don’t even need any prior experience. At Web.com, building your website is simple and stress-free.
Do-it-yourself CMS like WordPress
For more control over your website’s design, a CMS like WordPress is a solid choice. It lets you customize your site exactly as you want. There is a library of plugins and themes that can make it uniquely yours. However, this option requires some technical know-how.
If handling the technical side feels overwhelming, Web.com’s Managed WordPress Hosting makes it easy. Web.com has features like drag-and-drop page building and pre-built pages. This way, you can create personalized websites without the hassle of technical setup.
Hire a professional
Hiring a pro is the best route for you if you prefer a hands-off approach or want a truly polished result. With Web.com’s design services, you’ll work with an experienced team of specialists who know how to turn your vision into reality.
With a professional designer, you’ll be sure that your site will be optimized for success. From layout to branding, each detail will be managed for you. And best of all? You’ll have a site that not only looks great but also ensures maximum performance, which helps you generate traffic and boost visibility on search engines.
Step 4: Securing your website and protecting your brand
The security and protection of your website is very important, especially if you’re handling sensitive information or accepting payments for your online store. Website security is one of the important things that not only builds customer trust, but also protects your business from potential threats like phishing scams and data breaches.
The following are ways to secure your site and protect your brand:
Getting SSL certificates
SSL certificates are your core assets for securing the communication pathway between your customers and your website. These are especially needed if you’re running an online store. By encrypting sensitive data, like customer details, you’ll keep transactions safe when website visitors store or register information.
In addition, SSL certificates will not only show that a site is trustworthy but will also help boost your search engine ranking because Google prioritizes secure sites.
Setting strong passwords
Using strong passwords is the easiest and one of the most powerful methods to safeguard a website and its sensitive data. Cybercriminals manipulate break-ins with common passwords, especially in a brute-force attack. Simple ones are easy targets. So, keep your site safe by choosing a difficult combination. The more complex your password is, the harder it is to crack.
Regularly updating software
Regular software updates are an important aspect of website security. Regular updates fix flaws that hackers might exploit. Updates typically come with added features and enhanced functionality, too. So, this will improve website performance, which helps create a more positive experience for users.
Trademarking your name or logo
Trademarking your business name or logo gives you exclusive rights to your brand. Your business gains the advantage of national protection if you have a federal trademark. Doing this will prevent anyone from copying it. And not only will it protect your brand, but it will also reinforce credibility.
With website security and brand protection covered, the next focus is to ensure people can find it.
Step 5: Making your website appear on Google Search
To help people find your site, you’ll need to get it indexed on Google. Once your site is in their database, it has the potential to appear in search rankings. This step gives your brand optimal visibility and brings organic visitors to your website.
Here’s how to make it happen:
Create a Sitemap
A sitemap helps Google understand your site’s structure. If you’re using website builder, it’s important to check if it automatically generates a sitemap for you, like the one on Web.com. WordPress users can use plugins like Yoast SEO to create one, too.
Here’s a detailed instruction when submitting your sitemap to Google:
- Access your Google Search Console account or create one if you don’t have it yet.
- Select the site to which you want to add the sitemap, then navigate to Index > Sitemaps in the left column.
- Confirm your sitemap’s location on your site. This is typically like this: yoursite.com/sitemap.xml.
- Enter only the filename (e.g., sitemap.xml) in Google Search Console. Google will already display your domain name, so you just need to add the file name.
- Click Submit. Google will confirm that your sitemap has been submitted and notify you of any issues.
Optimize your website for search ranking
To help your site rank on Google, focus on these essential actions:
- Improve page speed. Make sure your content loads quickly by optimizing image sizes and reducing the use of too many videos or interactive features. This keeps your site fast, engaging, and user-friendly.
- Make it mobile-responsive. With about 5.75 billion mobile users worldwide, there’s a massive call for mobile optimization. So, make your website compatible with any device to reach a broader audience.
- Install an SSL certificate. As mentioned earlier, Google favors secure websites. Therefore, adding SSL helps build trust and improve rankings.
- Optimize meta titles and descriptions. Optimizing meta titles and descriptions helps attract clicks by making your content more appealing in the SERPs.
- Use keywords and links strategically. Adding relevant keywords and internal links throughout your site makes it faster for search engines to find and rank your content. This way, Google can see how your pages and posts connect. It also allows the browser to understand which ones are most important.
When you focus on these areas, you’ll improve your site’s chances to rank well on Google. Now, it’s time to build a cohesive digital identity that extends across all platforms.
Step 6: Building out your digital identity
To build a solid online identity, create different social media accounts, and set up a custom email address to look more professional and trustworthy.
Social media accounts
Building your digital identity starts with creating impactful social media profiles. Social media marketing helps you connect directly with your audience. That’s why targeting the platforms your audience uses the most makes perfect sense.
That said, join groups on Facebook to share your niche expertise, promote your brand, and provide links to your blogs or a new post. On X (Twitter) and Instagram, use engaging hashtags to reach more people. Also, consider adding social media handles and Facebook widgets to your website. Doing this makes it easy for visitors to follow and share your content across social media platforms.
Custom email address
Setting up a professional email address that matches your domain name builds instant credibility. It shows your clients that your business is genuine and professional. Once you have your custom email address, use it for effective email marketing campaigns to engage your audience. Send newsletters with helpful details, run promotions, or share updates that link to your website address. Make sure each email is valuable. To do that, you must include your logo, a clear call-to-action, and easy-to-read content. Then, track your results to see what works best and keeps your audience interested.
I bought a domain, now what? Take the first steps toward your online success
Start small but grow big. Your online success is within reach with these six essential steps after you’ve purchased your domain. Each step you take strengthens your online presence and Web.com is here to support you all the way through.
With our tools and services, you can confidently build your online store and empower a brand that benefits everyone in the long run!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
No, you don’t need a website to have a domain name. You can register a domain name for future use, brand protection, or custom email address creation. You can also set up domain forwarding, so when people enter your domain, they’re redirected to your other web pages, not only websites.
When you buy a domain, it usually becomes active within a few hours. However, it can take up to 24 hours for updates to reach all servers worldwide. This ensures your domain is accessible everywhere. If it’s still inactive after that, try refreshing your browser or checking your domain settings.
Buying a new domain means registering a personalized website address that points users to your web pages. It involves choosing a domain name and paying a yearly fee. This approach gives you the right to use that address online, which is necessary for creating your online presence.
If you want to use your domain for multiple websites, start by selecting a web host that allows for multiple domains and sites. Set up each website with its own structure, like subdomains and subdirectories, and purpose, like eCommerce or blogs.
You must have web hosting to make your website visible online. A domain name is simply your URL address, but web hosting stores your website’s files. It allows users to access your content. You need both to have a functional website.
However, you can register a domain name without getting a web hosting plan.