I have been designing and developing websites for just over 5 years, during that time I have bought a lot of domains from a large variety of domain providers. I have learned many lessons about what to do and what not to do when it comes to domain names. Don’t take my word for it though, you should always do your own research on what works best for you and your business.
What is a domain name?
In very simple terms, a domain is like a house address. You enter a domain name in your browser URL bar and it will navigate you to that website.
A domain will look something like this; domainname.extension
There are over 280 domain extensions but here are some examples of some popular extensions.
- domainname.com
- domainname.ca
- domainname.net
- domainname.store
Why is a domain name so important?
Your domain name is a critical piece to your online presence. Two crucial parts that will use your domain name is your website and your email.
A domain makes it easy for people to find your business online, but it also adds an element of professionalism and trust with your business. It may just be me, but I am always weary of emailing with a business that has a @gmail.com, @hotmail.com or @outlook.com email address.
Would you feel confident entering your private information like your credit card info on a website that has a domain like ourbusinesswebsite.othercompany.com? I wouldn’t.
If a business hasn’t taken the time and put in the investment to have their own domain name, how do I know they have put in the time and investment to keep my private information secure?
Why should I own the domain name myself?
Access to your domain name is like the keys to your house. You don’t let anyone else have those, so why would you do the same with your domain name?
When someone else owns your domain name you have no ownership over it. What happens if the owner of the domain name stops working with your business, or if they forget to pay the renewal fees for your domain? What if their account gets hacked?
Don’t make the common mistake of letting someone else manage your domain name, take ownership of it and keep it safe.
Where can I buy a domain?
First off, stay away from domain resellers. These companies simply charge you extra for the same thing. Secondly make sure you are getting full access to your domain. You should at all times be able to access your DNS, MX Records and name servers whenever you need. If you can’t you need to transfer your domain to another provider.
Stay far away from companies like GoDaddy and Bluehost these companies love to sell you add on features that are completely pointless. They also love to sell you a domain name for cheap or free but after a year or two you’ll be paying crazy renewal fees.
Here are some trusted places to get your domain name at a great price.
What if someone else owns my domain?
Don’t worry, it is very simple to get your domain name transferred and put in your control.
All you need to do is request the company that has your domain to transfer it to you. There are two steps they have to follow.
Step 1
Unlock your domain name
Step 2
Send you the authorization code or transfer code
Once these steps are done, go to the domain provider of your choosing and follow their steps on transferring the domain.
Do you need help transferring your domain or getting access to it from a company? Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]