What is a domain name?

You need your online business name, your URL or website name/address. You will need to register your domain, similar to registering a business name but much easier, with a company called a registrar.

How to choose and register your domain name?

Selecting a domain name is a huge piece to building your website because your domain name is a representation of your online identity to visitors. When you are considering options for your domain name, think of what you do, keywords, phrases, or slogans from your brand that will help others know what you do and for it to stand out from the competition. You want your domain to be short and easy for users to remember so they have no problem typing it into a web browser.

Example 1: www.thisisthedomain.com VS www.thedomain.com VS www.domain.com

Using a domain name generator is a great tool to ensure that your domain name is free and not in use by someone else, and it can provide alternatives for you to choose from like a top-level domain (TLD). A TLD is a domain extension that begins with the “dot” after the end of a web address. Web addresses have evolved from using the standard TLDs .com, .org, or .net and started using TLDs like .me, .bio., and .blog. If your domain name is available make sure to secure it by registering your domain and then it’s time to start creating your website.

A popular company that offers free domains when purchasing hosting is Bluehost.

What is hosting?

Along with your domain name you will need hosting for your website. Hosting is computer space where your website content (text and images), code and infrastructure/database will be stored to display across the world wide web (www).

Where to find hosting and what to look for?

The company that you purchase a domain name most times offers hosting. In some cases, you may even receive a domain name for free while purchasing hosting.

What you may want to know is if the company will accommodate for the type of website you would like to create for yourself. So that means, you will need to take some time before looking for hosting to establish what kind of website you need. The best way to do this is to go through and figure out what content you will have on each page of your website. Go through this process as thoroughly as possible so that you don’t leave anything out when looking for the service to match.

Here are few examples of different types of websites:

• 1 Page
• Informational
• Catalogue
• E-Commerce
• Blog
• Membership

Have a look at the hosting technical specifications, also the options for building a website, such as website builders, theme access, and email creation (name@domain.com) to name a few. Find out what kind of support the company has, do they have a phone number or email address, and what are their hours of operation for support. If you’re not comfortable with technical specs you may ask the company for explanations, or ask someone that you know who is familiar with the “lingo”/terminology, or hire a web designer/developer.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR DOMAIN AND HOSTING PACKAGE

I hope this information helps and points you in the direction you’re seeking. Feel free to share this information with anyone that you feel may help.

Disclaimer: I may receive compensation when you purchase services using affiliate links within the information I provide. Your support is appreciated and helps provide services to those in need.