10 things to Know Before Registering a Domain
Looking for a digital identity for your company? Yes, that’s your domain name. Pause and reflect on these points, before you go ahead and register a domain name for your company or blog. Here are a few key aspects to consider:
1. How do we choose the right domain name?
Your domain name should reflect your brand or your business. Make it short, simple, and easy to remember. Do not confuse potential visitors with complicated names.
2. Which is the Right Domain Extension for You?
Apart from the eternally used .com, there are apt alternatives that reflect the nature of your services or business. Explore them! For ex: if you are offering technical services, you could choose the extension .tech, if you are into healthcare choose .health. Likewise, if you are setting up an online retail store choose .store. Choose one that aligns with your business.
3. Is your chosen domain name available?
You could use a domain registrar website like GoDaddy to see if your preferred domain name is available. If it’s taken, your registrar will prompt you with variations to choose from.
4. Are you duplicating an existing trademark?
If your chosen domain name interferes with an existing and established business’s name or domain name it could infringe on existing trademarks. This could lead to a legal dispute. Be sure your chosen domain name is hassle-free.
5. Secure Your brand through your Domain
When choosing an available domain name, rather than opting for a domain name with just one extension consider choosing all popular extensions and redirecting all these extensions to just one main extension, where your website is housed. This ensures nobody can have an identical name with a different extension. For ex: if you purchase abc.com another company may choose abc.net, which leads to confusion for your clients.
6. Service and Support
It is important to choose a reputed domain registrar that promises and delivers security features, renewal reminders, and customer support. This way your website is up and running with no downtime, year on year.
7. Is your Domain Privacy Protected?
Generally, it is preferred that the domain owner information is not displayed in the WHOIS database. But this can happen only if you opt for domain privacy protection
8. Renewals Agenda
It is a given that you will be renewing your domain annually. Consider choosing a 2-year renewal or a 5-year renewal to save cost. Also, setup auto renewal and ensure your card has enough balance for the renewal. Failing this, after a few reminders from the registrar, you may end up losing your domain name.
9. Hosting Plans
A domain name is just like an address for someone to reach you. But you need a structure built in this address to welcome those who come to meet you and that is your website. Your website resides on or occupies space on the Web server. This space is your web hosting space. Hosting space comes with several tools, facilities, and inclusions to enable the creation of an engaging website with state-of-the-art UI/UX, packaged as a hosting plan. You will need this hosting plan. Once you connect your domain to the hosting plan, your website is accessible to the world. Compare all popular hosting plans before you decide on a final one. Better still choose a good Web Service Provider, who will do all your necessary thinking for you and allow you more time to focus on your core business.
10. Is your scalable and robust?
You are now in the process of choosing the most important business asset, your domain name, and a website. Ensure your choice is scalable, robust, and reliable such that your long term goals and growth will be supported seamlessly.
Did you find this write-up helpful? We’d love to hear your feedback! If this feels overwhelming and you’d prefer a well-designed website to boost your business and brand, reach out to us—we’d be happy to assist!