Buy and register a domain name

In the coming years, we will look back on the pandemic as the moment when everything changed. For small businesses, the pandemic has sparked an unprecedented shift online. This resulted in a surge in the domain name market, which continues to this day.

What can you do to stand out from the crowd, with over 360 million domain names registered worldwide?

Let’s take a deep dive into what a domain name is and how to buy and register one that works for your business, without any coding or configuration. We’ve even included the latest scoop on how to select a unique domain name.

What is a domain name?

The domain name is the web address that people use to find your website and business. It’s what a person enters into the web browser’s address bar after https://. Most importantly, this is the starting point for building an online presence for your small business.

Why is a domain name so important?

The simple answer is that your business domain name is an integral part of your brand. As your online “home” to your business, your website domain helps define your business and showcase your product or service. It also helps bring in customers searching for what you have to offer, whether they search for you in Google or come across your website URL on social media.

Having a simple but memorable domain name makes it easier for customers to find you. Think about it, if you own a jewelry store and have the domain name “JuliaJewelry.wordpress.com”, how many people will remember that? Explaining to someone that there is another point in the middle might cost you a customer. By purchasing a custom domain name, you will not have this headache.

We recommend buying a domain name even if you don’t have a website yet (but you really should – here are 15 benefits of having a website for a small business). When you buy a domain name and a customer types it into their web browser, you can automatically redirect a domain name to your Etsy page or your Google Maps listing.

In today’s competitive landscape of small businesses, presence builds credibility. A custom domain name gives your company a professional look. The internet is full of phishing websites; buying a domain name is one small step you can take to prove to customers that you take your business seriously.

Tips for Selecting a Winning Domain Name

Creating a business domain name can be tricky when all the good things seem to have already been taken, or if you feel like you lack a creative flair. But fear not: here are our tips to help you choose a name that will attract more attention and visitors.

Stay unique and remarkable

You want your domain name to be unique yet a cohesive part of your brand. One way is to select a domain name by making it your business name. If your business name is Shery Photography, you may want a domain like www.sheryphotography.com. Use online resources such as Incfile’s free business name search tool to see what options are available.

However, just because a domain name is available doesn’t mean someone else can’t claim it. run a trademark search to make sure all your bases are covered.

Key in keywords

Use business keywords or terminology in your domain name. Search engines use keywords in your domain name to find out what your business is about. Playing with a domain name generator to see if a combination piques your interest.

KISS – Keep it short and simple

People have short memories – they won’t remember a long web address. Also avoid numbers, hyphens, underscores, or other punctuation marks.

Be open to experimenting with extensions

It’s great if you can get a “.com” extension because it’s the most common and popular. But don’t panic if it’s not available. Other options that are growing in popularity include .net, .biz, .org, .info, .co, .site , .icu, and even .us (although this is strictly reserved for entities based in the US).

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Buy and register a domain name

Domain name ready? Yes! Buying and registering a domain name may sound technical and complicated, but it isn’t. Here are our steps to get a domain without learning any code.

1. Choose a strong domain name (but have a few alternatives ready).
2. Choose a domain name extension, also known as TLD (top-level domains). What do you want at the end of your online address – .net, .biz, .org or .of? The TLD you select can affect a customer’s perception of your business, so choose wisely.
3. Checking availability. Go to a reliable domain name provider and check availability. We’ve provided a list of top domain name sellers below.
4. Buy and register the domain name. Once you’ve finalized your domain name, you can buy it so that no one else can use it. Most domain portals allow you to register a name for 10 years at a time, but if you are looking for a shorter investment of time, you can choose to register the name for one to three years (remember to renew it every time).
5. Verify the domain name, link it to your email address and update all social media sites and related brand pages. Similar names on all platforms help you build a cohesive brand.

Top Domain Name Sellers: The Easy Way To Get Started

In the past, securing a domain name required some encryption and configuration, but that is no longer necessary. A Google search on domain name providers yields different results, but which one is credible? We’ve researched the pricing, features, and security parameters of various platforms to bring you the top five domain registrars not only accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) but also very pocket friendly.

• Wix: Wix is ​​one of the leading cloud-based free website builders and domain name registrars. The great thing about Wix is ​​that you can build your entire online presence with them. Yes, with Wix you can build a website, get a domain name and even design a logo. If you sign up for one of their annual premium plans, you even get a domain name for free (at least the first year).
• Google Domains ($12/year): This straightforward registrar has fair prices for popular extensions (.com, .net, .org, .us, .info) and, like most Google products, is super easy to use. Google Domains makes it easy to link your domain to website builders such as Wix, SquareSpace, Shopify, and WordPress.
• bluehost ($12.99/year and up): If you plan to build a website or blog, you need a hosting company. Known for its reliable service and speed, Bluehost will give you a free domain name for a year if you choose to host with them. What’s worth noting is that you own your domain name and can transfer it to another hosting site if you’re disappointed with Bluehost’s services (although we hardly see that happening).
• GoDaddy ($18.99/year): The OG of domain name registrars is GoDaddy. Like most other providers, GoDaddy is now a one-stop shop for various web services (web design, email marketing, and hosting). You can score a domain name for free for a year if you choose GoDaddy as a hosting service or website builder.
• namecheap ($9.48/year): One of the most affordable domain registrars is Namecheap. The registrar is free Whois domain privacy and low renewable rates make it a popular choice among startups. The service also offers hosting packages and hassle-free domain name integrations with a web builder of your choice.

Have you thought of a domain name? profit now

You asked, “What’s in a name?” We say, “Everything.”

Your domain name is where your business lives on the Internet, and the right domain name can make the difference between a healthy online presence and getting lost in cyberspace. Follow our guide to get a strong and reliable domain name without the hassle of coding or configuration.

If you need help selecting, buying, and registering a domain name, why not take a look at Wix? Wix is ​​an all-in-one solution for your company’s online presence trusted by over 200 million customers.