Photo by Markus Winkler
So, you’re ready to take the plunge into the wonderful world of website building? Congrats! One of the first things you’ll need to do is choose and register your domain name. In this blog post, we’ll walk through what makes a good domain name, which extension to use, and where and how to register it.
Table of contents
What makes a good domain name?
Choosing a domain name can be exciting but also challenging. It’s a way to brand your online presence, so you want an address that is catchy, memorable, and easy for people to type into their browsers when visiting or searching for your site.
If you already have a business name, you’ll want to use it as your domain name for brand consistency. However, if you don’t have a business name yet, there are things to consider when choosing your domain (or business name). Here are a few tips:
- Keep it short and simple: Long, complex domain names can be harder for visitors to understand and remember. Aim for something concise and easy to spell.
- Make it relevant: Your domain name should give visitors a clear idea of what your website is all about. While staying relevant is key, being original can also do the trick and stick in people’s minds.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers: They can make your domain name harder to say and remember. Try to stick with just letters if possible.
- Do a quick trademark search: Before you fall in love with a domain name, take a moment to make sure it doesn’t infringe on someone else’s trademark.
If you have a business name but it isn’t available as a domain name, you’ve got a couple of choices:
- Add a descriptive word: You can spice up your domain name by adding a word that makes sense. Take Pact, for instance. They’re an apparel company, and their domain name is wearpact.com. Adding a descriptive word is the approach I prefer. when a domain name is not available.
- Try another extension: Alternatively, you can consider using a different domain extension, and I’ve got some ideas below for you.
Which extension to use?
Let’s talk about extensions now. You know, those little bits that come after the dot—like .com or .org. Here’s what you need to know:
- .com is best: If possible, buy the .com version of your domain name. It’s easier for visitors to remember and more likely to give customers a professional impression than other extensions.
- Consider your niche: Depending on the nature of your website, there may be other suitable extensions if .com is not available. For non-profit organizations, .org is a great choice. If you’re targeting a specific country, you might want to use a country-specific extension like .co.uk (United Kingdom) or .ca (Canada).
- Avoid funky extensions: While .pizza or .ninja might sound fun, they can confuse visitors and make your website seem less trustworthy. Stick to the more common extensions unless you have a very good reason not to.
- What about .co and .io? : .co is a shorter alternative to .com, often used by startups and some non-profits. .io is popular among tech startups due to its association with technology and innovation.
- .net isn’t as popular as it used to be: In the early days of the internet, .net joined the scene as one of the original top-level domains, alongside .com and .org. It was initially intended for network-focused websites and businesses, but it ended up being used for all sorts of websites. I personally feel that .net does not convey the same level of professionalism as .com does.
Where and how to register your domain name
It’s now time to bring your domain name to life. Here’s a step-by-step guide to registering your domain name:
- Choose a reliable registrar: There are many domain registrars out there, but it’s important to choose a reputable one. My favourite one right now is Namecheap because they have low registration and renewal prices, they offer free WHOIS privacy, 24/7 support via live chat and an easy to use interface.
- Check availability: Navigate to Namecheap’s website and use their search tool to see if your desired domain name is available. Fingers crossed! Namecheap will provide alternative suggestions if your chosen name is already taken.
- Secure it: Domain names can get snatched up fast, so if your desired name is available, don’t hesitate too long. Add it to your cart and review your domain selection and any additional services offered. If you’re a new user, you’ll need to create an account. If you have an existing account, you’ll have to log in. You’ll then be asked to provide your payment information and complete the checkout process.
- Privacy protection: If you’re not with Namecheap and your registrar doesn’t bundle privacy protection, I’d suggest adding it. This keeps your personal information private, preventing unwanted spam and potential data breaches.
- Pay attention to renewal fees: Be aware that some registrars may offer a discounted price for the first year but charge a higher renewal fee. Read the fine print!
Pointing your domain name to your webhost
The following instructions are for pointing a domain name registered at Namecheap, but the process is similar at other registrars.
Keep in mind that when you’re looking to connect your domain name to a web host, you’ve got two main choices: using nameservers or working with DNS records (specifically the A record). Both methods do the same thing, which is getting visitors to your web host’s server, but they do it in different ways. Now, if your emails won’t be handled by your web host (which is smart!), it’s best to go with the DNS (A record) approach. This way, you can direct your website traffic to your web host while keeping your email services separate.
The A record approach
If you decide to go with the A record approach, once logged in to your Namecheap acccount, head over to Account > Domain list, and then to the Advanced DNS tab. Click on “Add new record” and choose “A record.” From there, you’ll need to fill in the details your webhost gave you. If they only gave you instructions for using their nameservers, make sure to let them know that you’re opting for A records. They might give you one or two IP addresses, and chances are you’ll need to set up four A records. This might sound a bit technical, but it will look something like this :
| Host | Value |
| www | IP adddress #1 |
| www | IP adddress #2 |
| @ | IP adddress #1 |
| @ | IP adddress #2 |
The nameservers approach
If you choose to go with the name server approach, here’s what you do: In the Domain list page, stick to the Domain tab and choose “Custom DNS” next to Nameservers. Then, just type in the two nameservers your web host gave you.
Wait for DNS Propagation
Whether you go with A records or nameservers, keep in mind that DNS changes need a little time to spread all over the internet. It’s like sending news to all corners of the digital world. So, be patient – it usually takes a few hours, sometimes up to two days (48 hours), for your domain to fully catch up and start sending folks to your new server.
Once this magical propagation is done, it’s time to check if everything’s working as it should. Just type your domain name into a web browser. If it leads you to the right website or content on the new server, that’s the sign that the changes have fully kicked in.
And that’s it! You’re well on your way to securing a domain name for your future website and you now know how to point it to your webhost. Remember to take your time, get creative, and have fun with the domain selection process. Happy domain hunting!
