Picking a domain name is a big deal. It’s the foundation of your online presence and identity.
A good domain name is easy to remember, relevant to your brand, and can impact search engine visibility.
So, what to know before buying a domain name for your small business?
Choosing the right domain involves several steps, from finding available domain names to navigating privacy settings.
This guide covers essential tips to set your business up for success during the domain registration process.
I’ve helped countless small businesses find their perfect domain names and I’m excited to share my insights.
Why Your Domain Name Matters
Your domain name is more than a web address; it’s your online identity and how customers find you.
It’s how they remember and tell others about you. Think of it as your business’ street address on the internet.
A domain name that’s hard to remember is like an address with confusing directions. Potential customers may struggle to find you, making a memorable domain essential for your online business.
Consider this when buying domain names.
What to Know Before Buying a Domain Name: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Check Availability and Consider Extensions
Before settling on a name, use a domain search tool to check availability through various popular registrars. Popular registrars include 123-Reg, GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
If your ideal .com is taken, consider other top-level domains (TLDs) like .net or .org. Niche extensions like .store or .tech might be relevant depending on your online business idea.
Radix offers a variety of unique TLDs. A .store TLD is perfect if you sell products. Google’s Webmaster Central Blog clarifies how TLDs impact search rankings.
Check availability before you buy a domain.
2. Prioritize Simplicity and Memorability
Choose a domain name that’s short, memorable, easy to spell, and type. This makes it easier for people to find your business’ online presence.
A relevant name ensures accuracy when typing your web address. Avoid hyphens and numbers.
Typing “brandon-hayes-and-michael-smith-consulting-services.net” is difficult. “SmithHayes.com” is much simpler. Keep it simple when buying domain names.
3. Look for Trademark Conflicts
Ensure your domain name doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks. A quick search at the United States Patent and Trademark Office will clarify any conflicts.
Trademark issues can lead to legal action and force you to purchase a new, possibly more expensive, domain.
Even misspellings can be problematic if a similar name is trademarked. Avoiding such issues from the start will save money in the long term.
4. Research the Domain’s History
A domain with a history of adult material, illegal activities, or spam can hurt your SEO efforts. Use the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to check its history.
Negative news associated with similar domain names can also damage your reputation.
Potential buyers might associate bad business practices with similar-sounding domains, impacting your business domain and web hosting.
Conduct thorough research to ensure you’re buying a domain with a clean history and protect your data.
5. Understand Domain Privacy Protection
When you register a domain, your personal information becomes public in the WHOIS database. Domain privacy protection shields this information.
It helps avoid spam, identity theft, and harassment. Understanding domain privacy protection is a critical part of what to know before buying a domain name.
6. Consider Future Business Plans
Think long-term when choosing a domain. Starting locally but planning to grow nationally?
A .com might be a good initial choice, but also consider country-specific TLDs like .ca. This can prevent cybersquatting by competitors and save money later.
Competitors may register similar domains in other countries and inflate their cost, demanding a ransom for a transfer.
Securing multiple domains or additional domains related to your brand and across all media platforms is essential for any small business.
Check social media and register relevant social media handles with matching names.
7. Compare Registrar Pricing and Support
| Registrar | Pricing | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 123-Reg | Check Website | 24/7 Support |
| GoDaddy | Check Website | 24/7 Support |
| Names.co.uk | Check Website | Check Website |
| Namecheap | Check Website | 24/7 Support |
Pricing varies among ICANN-accredited registrars. Don’t be fooled by introductory offers with high renewal fees. Check the long-term cost and support options before making a choice.
Support options are very important so that you have the customer support there for you. If you do not speak english there are registrars who offer multi-lingual support so you’re happy.
8. Factor in Web Hosting
Some registrars, like Nestify, bundle web hosting with their domain packages. This simplifies setup, especially if you only need a basic landing page.
9. Secure Your Social Media Handles
Claim your social media handles immediately after securing your domain. Consistency across platforms builds brand recognition.
A strong social media presence is important for content marketing and helps to buy domain authority and online identity.
While a website is crucial, a social media presence without a linked domain can appear less credible.
A website with a custom domain builds trust and professionalism. Secure social media handles and use the appropriate domain extensions to link them together.
Your domain check must confirm you own those handles before securing a domain name.
10. Think Long-Term When Selecting Your Domain
Your domain name isn’t temporary; it’s a long-term investment in your online identity. Avoid trendy names that become outdated.
Don’t use niche references that might confuse future customers. Choosing a short domain can also save on characters for people to type when trying to find you.
Think about domain privacy protection so it’s safe from abuse by anyone looking for personal information like an email address.
Keep any physical information secure including street address for example. Use caution in the domain industry when securing domain names and be sure not to be tricked when they offer domain names to you that might seem like a great domain but isn’t.
Registering a domain name that’s specific to a past event might become irrelevant later. Unless your website maintains historical relevance, consider a broader domain name that reflects your business.
An example would be the domain for “2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics Official Memorabilia”. Consider the implications before buying domain names for a short term event.
Conclusion
Understanding what to know before buying a domain name is crucial for any online venture. Consider relevance, history, privacy, and potential misspellings.
A fitting domain name guides customers to your business, boosts website traffic, and builds brand awareness.
Think about unintentional domain misspellings. Consider if competitors own similar TLDs or if there are potential trademark conflicts.
A memorable domain acts as a compass, guiding potential customers to your business. These factors simplify the domain registration decision-making process.
Making the right choice establishes authority, attracts customers, and improves search engine rankings. Use a domain search to buy domain names and keep your business domain secured.
It is important you transfer domain ownership to yourself if you are a business so someone doesn’t unintentionally keep ownership.
Today it’s business easy to just buy domain names through several popular domain services and start your business idea quickly.
Table Of Contents:
- Why Your Domain Name Matters
- What to Know Before Buying a Domain Name: A Comprehensive Guide
- 1. Check Availability and Consider Extensions
- 2. Prioritize Simplicity and Memorability
- 3. Look for Trademark Conflicts
- 4. Research the Domain’s History
- 5. Understand Domain Privacy Protection
- 6. Consider Future Business Plans
- 7. Compare Registrar Pricing and Support
- 8. Factor in Web Hosting
- 9. Secure Your Social Media Handles
- 10. Think Long-Term When Selecting Your Domain
- Conclusion
