How to Register a Domain Name for Your Website? Domain names were one of the few ways to have virtual property long before you could buy real estate in the metaverse.
Domain names are not just your digital address. They also play an important role in branding and online presence. Domain names can be a valuable business asset.
This is why buying a domain name is an important step toward building a strong online strategy. No matter what industry you are in, these steps will help you register a domain for your website.
What’s a domain name?
What exactly is a domain? The domain name is the address you enter into a web browser to reach a website. It is the home of a website, so each domain is unique. For example, www.wix.com is an example.
Domain names were created to make it easier for people to access a website’s Internet Protocol which is a string of numbers that represents individual websites. A domain has an IP address. Unless you’re a computer, it is easier to remember a domain than a string. Take, for example, the IP address 185.230.63.164. To most people, it is just a complex string of numbers. Wix.com is easy to remember and conveys a unique brand that numbers can’t.
Why do domain names matter?
A domain name that is memorable will help you brand your business online. It will also serve as your company’s website. Three main areas are affected by a good domain name:
- It makes a great first impression. Your audience will perceive you as trustworthy, reliable, authoritative, and credible in your field if your domain name is personalized.
- It is a foundation for brand building. If your domain name stands out, is memorable, and matches the rest of your branding assets, it can increase your company’s brand recognition. By creating associations between your website and your name, domain names can help users increase the value of your business or brand.
- It will increase your brand’s potential for SEO. Although Google does not rank websites based solely on domain names, good domain names can have a positive impact on your website’s SEO (search engine optimization). If your brand is not mentioned, visitors could click on your website via a search engine result page (SERP) if the site matches their intent. If someone searches for backpacks, they will most likely choose qualitypacks.com rather than an unknown brand.
5 Easy Steps To Register a Domain Name
1. Select a domain registrar
Before you can begin choosing, you must first determine where you want to purchase a domain name. Domain registrars are companies that manage domain names and reserve them. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers manages all domains around the world, but a registrar works with ICANN for you.
Tip: Godaddy can be used as both a registrar or a web hosting provider. This means that you can purchase a domain name and create your website on the same platform.
2. Select the best domain name
When choosing a domain name to host your website, there are many things you should consider. First, choose a name that best reflects your brand’s tone. Keep it short and memorable, so people remember it easily, such as webstod.com.
You can also include a keyword associated with your brand in your domain name to improve your SEO efforts.
For example, an illustrator named Reena Kumar may opt for reenaillustrations.com, or an SEO organization called Whiskers might go for seocompanyindia.com. Once you are ready, make a list of possible names.
A domain name generator can help you find the right domain name for your business or brand. This tool is free and can generate domain names for your website.
3. Check the availability of your domain name
Your preferred domain name may already be owned by an existing company. A domain name search platform allows you to explore unlimited options at no cost. The tool will suggest alternative names if the desired name is not available. You can play around until you find the right one.
4. Select your domain extension
Domain extensions, also known as top-level domains or TLD, quickly identify specific elements of a website, such as an owner, purpose, and geographic location. There are five types of TLDs. The majority of 366 million domains registered worldwide are in generic top-level domains (gTLD). They are the most commonly used gTLDs, with .org, .com, and .net being the most easily remembered. Check out ICANN’s complete list here of domain extensions.
You may be able to find an alternative extension if your domain name has been taken. Keep in mind, however, that the .org extension is best used for non-profit organizations while.com typically represents for-profit businesses.
5. Purchase your domain
After you have chosen a domain name, make sure to claim it before anyone else.
How do I buy a domain name? Free domain name registration
There are two ways to get your domain name free of charge:
- Register a subdomain for free. A subdomain is an extension to a domain that links independently-functioning sites. Some hosting platforms and site builders provide a free, fully-functional website with a custom subdomain.
- Get free web hosting. Many hosting companies offer a free custom domain registration along with your purchase. This will give you an online professional presence that isn’t expensive.
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