If you’re new to domains, you might not realize that they can expire, and that’s because domains aren’t a “one and done” type of purchase. When you register a domain name you’re in effect leasing it for a set amount of time, usually anywhere from 1 to 10 years.
In this post, we’re discussing the importance of domain names, the lifecycle of domain names, what happens when a domain name expires, and domain name renewal.
Why should you renew your domain name?
The importance of a domain name
Domain names are more important than you might at first realize. They’re a big part of your online identity and represent your business.
A good domain name offers your business credibility and sets it apart from spammy websites. It inspires trust in your customers, gives your SEO efforts a boost, and gives you a central point to grow and market your digital business.
The perils of losing your domain name
When you lose your domain name, you lose an integral part of your brand. Your domain is a pivotal touchpoint that people have with your brand — in essence, it’s the address they need to arrive on your digital doorstep.
If you don’t renew your domain name and it expires, it’s available for purchase by just about anyone, including your competitors. Could you imagine a competitor snatching up your domain name and redirecting it to their main site? They wouldn’t even have to create a redirect to hurt your business, all they’d have to do is hold on to the domain name so that you can’t use it anymore.
Expired domain names are a hot commodity. Once a domain name has been registered and used, it can offer a history of established website traffic and backlinks, making them valuable to a great many people.
It’s not just competitors you have to worry about when your domain name expires. An expired domain name can impact your SEO, or search engine optimization. If your site goes down because your domain expired, it looks pretty bad to search engines, and there’s a good chance your site will lose its ranking in search engine results.
And then there’s the brand-building aspect that you have to worry about. When a domain name expires, you risk losing it altogether to another buyer. That means all the hard work you’ve put into marketing, establishing your site, and creating consumer trust is gone. GONE. It’ll set you back to the beginning of your digital journey and you’ll need to build those things all over again.
Real-life examples of expired domain names
Have you heard of Foursquare? When they were just a startup, they forgot to renew their domain name. For a business that was valued at nearly $80 million dollars at the time, that was a giant mistake and left them open to a lot of ridicule.
An expired domain name can also hit you where it hurts the most — right in your wallet. In 2017, Sorenson communications forgot to renew their domain name. However, they’re a provider of services for many Americans with disabilities and their domain expiration gaff was deemed “a preventable service outage.” In the end, they had to pay $2.7 million dollars on top of an additional $252 thousand dollar penalty. Ouch.
The lifecycle of a domain name
Domain name lifecycles can be broken down into four pieces: Active, Expired, Redemption Grace Period, and Pending Deletion.
- Active
- When your domain is active, you can change its settings and modify contact information. Having an active domain name is essential to keeping your website online and your professional email working.
- A domain becomes active once it’s been registered, those registration periods lasting anywhere from 1 to 10 years.
- Expired
- A domain officially becomes expired one day after its expiration date. Your website and any email addresses associated with your domain name won’t function. Instead, your website will display a “parked” page.
- Note: Others can bid on and attempt to purchase the domain name as soon as it expires; however, your claim to the domain takes priority over 3rd party bids if you renew your domain within 30 days of its expiration.
- Redemption Grace Period
- After about 45 days of being in an expired state, the domain name will enter a redemption grace period. Some TLDs may enter redemption status the day after they expire.
- Note: If your domain is in a redemption period you can still retrieve it. Most registrars will charge a redemption fee in addition to your normal domain renewal rate. You can contact us if your domain was registered through Domain.com and you need to redeem it during the redemption period.
- Pending Delete
- Once a domain enters the pending delete stage it can no longer be retrieved. It will remain in this status for about 5 days and then be released back into the public for new registration. If this happens, you can try to purchase the domain name again, assuming someone else doesn’t, and not have to pay any redemption fees, only the regular registration fee.
Domain name renewals
If you’re a Domain.com customer, we make renewing your domain easy. Instead of having to set a yearly calendar reminder or a bunch of reminders depending on how many domains you own, we give you the option of automatically renewing your domain name.
You can find the auto-renewal option in your account once you’re logged in. All you have to do is click “Domains” at the top left of the page, then select “Manage” under the domain name you’d like to set to auto-renew. You should then see the selection for auto-renew, and a quick switch of the toggle is all it takes as you see below.
Domain name renewal tips
Here are some tips we’ve put together to try and help make life a little easier when managing your domains.
- Keep your renewal reminder notices turned on. If you turn them off and don’t have auto-renew set up, it could be a recipe for disaster. We’ll send an email 30 days before your domain is set to expire and again within 5 days of the day it expires.
- Set your domains to automatically renew. This way, you won’t have to worry about missing an email reminder in a potentially over-crowded inbox.
- Update any outdated billing information. If you lose your credit or debit card, or if it expires naturally, you don’t want to find yourself in a bind. Instead of risking the loss of your domain name, go through your statements to see what charges are there and update those services with your new card information.
- Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate! It’s not easy keeping track of multiple domain names with different expiration dates across different registrars. We recommend keeping your domains with one registrar where you can see them all in one place.
- Is your email address up to date? If it’s not, you’ll never receive any domain expiration reminder emails. If the domain is your own, make sure your email address isn’t associated with a school or business you no longer attend or work for.
Protect your business, your brand, and your site with domain auto- renew
Purchasing a domain name is your first investment in your website and online business. Keep the momentum going by setting it to auto-renew so that you don’t lose your domain name and tarnish your brand.
No domain name? Grab yours today at Domain.com!
What you may not realize is that you should put just as much effort and care into each decision you make when building your business’ website and digital presence.
As your business name and signage draw foot traffic to your shops, domain names attract visitors to your e-commerce website. And as the number of visitors to your site increases, so does your potential to make more sales.
The thing is, not every domain is a great one. So, how do you choose a domain name for your e-commerce business and site AND feel confident that it’s a good choice?
That’s what we’ll figure out today. By the time you’ve read this post you’ll know exactly how to land the perfect domain name — and avoid the duds.
Tips for choosing an e-commerce domain name.
Launching an online business is an exciting venture. But before you can build your website, add your wares, and start selling, you have to purchase a domain name.
Juliet may have said that, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but we’d have to disagree. There’s a lot to a name, and some resonate with people better than others.
Here’s what you need to know about choosing a domain name to create a strong, branded e-commerce business.
Look for your exact match domain name.
If you already have a business name that people know and trust, it’s in your best interest to find the matching domain name. Your business identity should be consistent, both online and off, so you don’t want to use two different names if you can avoid it.
However, it isn’t always easy to find a domain name that exactly matches your business name, especially if you’re only searching for a .com domain name.
But don’t get disheartened! Just because your exact match domain name isn’t readily available, doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Here’s what you can do about it.
Expand your domain extension search horizons.
If you know anything about domains, you know .com has long been considered the king. Why is that?
The .com domain is one of the original six domain extensions, or TLDs, created in 1985 with the inception of the DNS, or Domain Name System. Much of .com’s notoriety has to do with the fact that it’s familiar to people. But familiarity isn’t what you’re after with a domain name — relevancy and memorability are.
For the most relevant, memorable domain name, you might need to think outside the .com box. Instead, consider using a newer domain extension, or nTLD, to create the perfect domain name.
By choosing an nTLD for your domain name, you can get a more descriptive domain name that clearly imparts the purpose of your site and business. Here’s an example of what that looks like in practice.
Gary owns a coffee shop in a small town outside of Buffalo, New York. He loves seeing his customers every morning and afternoon, and business is booming. With such great results at his shop, he decides to take his products online and start selling coffee by the pound.
He searches for his desired domain name: GarysCoffee.com, but alas, it’s taken! Instead of getting discouraged he sees another domain extension, .online, and thinks, “Could this be it?”
He searches and it’s available! What a perfect domain name for him… it has his business name front and center (GarysCoffee) and his selected domain extension (.online) is descriptive of his growing, expanding business and intent to sell online.
Other great domain extensions to consider for e-commerce businesses are:
- .store
- .biz
- .shop
- .boutique
- and thousands more can be found here.
Need some more convincing?
Top name brands and businesses are getting creative (and memorable) with domain names like kindle.store and alexa.online.
Consider purchasing a premium domain name.
Perhaps when you first searched for a domain name you saw the one you wanted in the results, but it was more expensive than the others. Why is that?
Chances are it was a premium domain name. Premium domain names have been registered in the past. They’re keyword-rich, which can help give your site’s SEO a boost, and they’re often shorter and more memorable. All of these characteristics serve to make them brandable and increase their value.
And if the premium domain was previously used for a website, it may even come with established website traffic which could help any new website owner!
Premium domain names are a great investment in your e-commerce business, so don’t overlook them.
Avoid hyphens and extra characters in your domain name.
It happens all the time…
Someone can’t find their desired domain name, so they decide to add a few hyphens and a couple of numbers, and perfect! Right?
Not even a little bit.
Let’s revisit Gary’s Coffee Shop and see what would’ve happened had he done this when choosing a domain name. If instead of selecting “garyscoffee.online” or “garyscoffee.shop” he’d selected “garys-coffee-736.com,” he would’ve made a big mistake.
Take your customers and site visitors into account when choosing your domain name. The more random characters and numbers you have in your domain, the less likely it is for them to remember it. And that means they could misspell your domain name and end up on a competitor’s site, or assume your website is no longer functioning and you’ve gone out business.
Unless your business name is hyphenated and has numbers, and your customers are very familiar with it, don’t include them in your domain name.
Stop with the unique spelling.
Everyone is unique and so are businesses.
In fact, you must have a differentiator that sets you apart from your competitors. Just don’t make that differentiator a uniquely spelled domain name. You might think that having an interestingly spelled domain means it’s memorable, but that’s usually not the case. Hyphens between every other letter and random numbers at the end of your domain name are difficult to remember.
If you want your domain name to be memorable, make sure it passes the “Radio Test.”
Can you pass the Radio Test?
A lot of domainers will refer to the Radio Test as a way to test the quality of your domain name.
For your domain name to pass the test, pretend that you’re running a commercial or advertisement on a local radio station. At the end of your promo the host reads your domain name aloud and directs listeners to visit your website.
If someone can easily spell your domain name based on how they heard it pronounced, then congratulations! Your domain name has passed the radio test. If not, you’ve failed and should go back to the drawing board. You can try the radio test at home with friends and family.
There are many letters and combinations of letters that sound alike, like “ph” and “f” — so make sure you’re spelling your domain name in the most common fashion instead of using the most interesting spelling.
Your domain name should be strong and branded.
Your domain name will oftentimes be the first point of contact someone has with your business and brand.
By making your domain name meaningful and leveraging the 1000s of new top-level domain extensions that exist, you can create a relevant, contextual domain name that drives more visitors and business to your site.
Domain names aid in brand identity and recall, so remember to make yours pronounceable and easy to spell.
Ready to find the perfect domain name and launch your e-commerce business? Get started with Domain.com.
Getting online is a critical part of successfully reaching the people that matter most when you’re looking to promote your business, showcase your work, or raise funds for an important cause. An online presence is how your audience will find you, learn what you have to offer, and potentially become loyal customers, fans, and supporters.
What is a niche?
One of the very first steps of marketing yourself online is picking a niche. A niche is the industry or genre that you specialize in and the types of products or services that you offer. Some popular niche markets of 2019 are alternative health and diets, environmentally responsible living, and the latest modes of transportation. Essentially, it’s a particular market that you know you can serve over and over again.
Why finding your niche is important.
Finding your niche will help you to strategically concentrate your efforts in one direction. If you’re clear on what you offer and who your audience is, you will be able to best determine how to entice them.
A new business that attempts to market itself to the masses often results with a watered-down message. Creatives often seem more experienced when they have a distinct specialty, and non-profits can seem more trustworthy when known for benefiting a specific cause.
Marketing with focus will help you build expert status in your space. You will be able to bring value to your potential audience by identifying and meeting their unique needs. Starting with a small, well-defined niche doesn’t mean you can’t expand into other spaces as you grow. Take notes from contemporary culture online publisher, Milk.xyz. They have been able to expand beyond writing about innovative brands to rolling out their own collaborations and podcast due to the growth of their community.
How to pick your niche.
1) Explore the possibilities.
Start defining your niche by making a list of possible ideas. Some questions to ask yourself are:
- What is my biggest passion or interest?
- Think about your hobbies and the ways you like to spend your free time.
- What problem can I help solve?
- You may want to review questions on internet forums to find what people are asking.
- If I won the lottery, how would I spend my days?
- Consider what you might find fulfilling if money was not an object (after the shopping spree and around-the-world trip is over).
This is exactly what Chicago Tribune reporter, Louisa Chu, and WBEZ’s Monica Eng did when they started Chewing.xyz. The pair combined their shared interest in food culture to create a podcast and website that explores the intersection of good food, good health, and good policy.
2) Determine value and public interest.
Next, pick the top three ideas and narrow them down by general interest and profit potential. It’s important to know if there is an audience out there that can benefit from what you have to offer, and there are a few ways that you can determine this.
A useful way to gauge general interest and profitability is by checking keyword search query reports online. Generally, focus on keywords with at least 10,000 search queries in order to find a niche with a substantial audience. A high level of competition is not necessarily a bad thing, as competition means there is a market interested and ready to buy. A low level of competition may mean that there are not many interested people out there.
Another way to measure the market size for niche topics is by checking the amount of books, articles, and papers written about it. If there is a substantial volume of work on your topic out there, then that means publishers have deemed it to be a profitable subject, publications consider it to be newsworthy, and researchers find it to be important. A low amount of published work on the subject could mean that there’s relatively low public interest on the subject.
3) Decide how to stand out.
After determining which topics have an interested market, it’s time to research the competition. Search the keywords associated with your niche and see what and who comes up. Start logging all of the major competitors and defining the characteristics that make you stand out in the crowd.
Key differentiators may be the pricing, level of quality, and innovation of your product or service.
Fashion tastemaker, JovelRoystan.xyz, stands out from other influencers by catering his content towards ambitious young professionals, and sharing on-trend style sharp enough for the office.
One way that anyone can instantly differentiate themselves is with content and design. An expertly branded website with clear navigation and functionality can be the ultimate decider for a new customer or supporter.
Get a domain name that is the exact name of your business, or your first and last name, so your audience can easily find you online. An .xyz domain is generic yet memorable, so it’s perfect for any niche market.
Register your .xyz domain today to start building your online reputation!
9 High-Growth Niche Terms
1Source: Google Trends
No matter where you look, design is all around you. It’s central to everything — from the way we navigate a commute to work all the way to every aspect of the technology and software that we interact with. There’s no doubt that design informs everything that we see or experience. Many companies, cities, and individuals have made design their unique differentiator, thinking about and planning around details that others do not. Just one frustrating shopping cart experience online can remind us that successful modern companies have prioritized user experiences to survive and grow.
More “traditional” designers might be folks working in graphics, web design, UX design, fashion design, landscape design, and others that wed the practical with the artistic. But “design” has become such a catch-all word that if often means that your services are intentional and easy to use. For example, a stay-at-home mommy blogger may consider herself a lifestyle designer, helping others navigate their own paths with intention and elegance.
Given that design is so pervasive in our lives and such a powerful commercial differentiator, it should be no surprise that .design is one of the most widely used new domain extensions. It’s also obvious that the sites and brands using .design tend to hold themselves to a higher caliber, showcasing truly inspirational work and unique visions.
Why use a .design domain name when you could use something like .com?
When the .design TLD was created in 2014, design was THE most popular word in .com domain names. Imagine taking a long, clunky domain name like DeesDaringDesign.com and turning that into DeesDaring.Design — it’s shorter, catchier, and makes the words on both sides of the dot work for you. Indeed, the .design makes your branding pop, using the dot to separate who you are (your chosen domain/brand name) and what you do (.design!). It looks great on resumes, business cards, and is the first building block for a professional and unique email address.
Despite what you may have heard about a certain domain name being “king,” it’s not about what others are doing and using, it’s about having the most memorable, relevant domain name. And with .design being a newer domain extension, chances are, you’ll have better odds of scoring the exact name you want.
Build your brand and showcase your talents with a .design domain name.
Of course, .design is the perfect domain name for your online portfolio. Looking for a new career? Or perhaps you’re not actively looking, but want to keep your work public for potential opportunities? Use a .design domain name to display your accomplishments, what you’ve created, and what you’re capable of.
But remember, when launching your portfolio, don’t make perfect the enemy of good. Sometimes, all you need is one great image or rendering with a professional .design email address to look credible. When beginning a career in design, people feel they need to show every project they’ve done, when in fact the best and most successful designers know that their work and their portfolios are all about curation and editing.
A .design domain name may be the kick in the pants you need to create an engaging website.
Sometimes just picking up the perfect domain name (before someone else does!) is the first bit of momentum you need.
The word design lends itself to creative thinking and problem solving. What part of over-used stock images and blasé text is creative? What about that is inspiring? Using a .design name will challenge you to live up to your domain name’s and website’s potential. Starting with the right domain name and brand vision will inspire you to flesh your site out with thoughtful content and engaging copy.
What are you waiting for?! Get your .design domain name today!
Whether you’re a graphic designer, UX researcher, or work-from-anywhere blogger, a .design name may work for you. They’re catchy, they’re relevant, and they’ll challenge you to create the best-looking website around.
Don’t wait too long though, .design domain names are catching on — in fact, it’s the only new domain extension “to have major adoption by household brands.” Major companies known for their smart design and marketing are showcasing it on .design, giving their design departments a platform and making themselves that much more prestigious. There are more than two dozen brands like airbnb.design, uber.design, and even tacobell.design leading the way! Take a page out of the big players’ books by posting interesting content on your .design site and building a community of your own dedicated followers.
There are two basic components comprising a website address. First, there’s the domain name — it’s what connects the website to a company or individual. It usually contains the name of the business or speaks to what the business offers, or both. Then, there’s the domain name extension, which identifies what kind of website it is. There are over a thousand domain extensions although these are the most common:
The two most frequently used domain extensions, .com and .net, are used by individuals and businesses who are trying to expand their reach online.
Having a website allows you to buy and sell products online, offer research and expertise into a specific topic, and spread a captivating message. So, with both .com and .net being so common, which domain extension should you use?
3 Factors to Consider When Choosing .com or .net
Whether you’re a for-profit business, a blogger, or a conspiracy theory debunker, the right domain extension sets the proper expectation for users accessing your site.
Imagine trying to purchase shoes online and seeing that the domain extension is a .org. It isn’t what you normally see used for eCommerce sites, so one might make the logical leap that purchasing these shoes is in some way benefiting a nonprofit (as most nonprofits and charities will use the extension .org).
While at first, this sounds great — even more reason to buy those shoes! — some might consider that a dishonest use of a domain extension. Not that there are many requirements as to which TLD (or, top-level domain) businesses can use, but there are certain expectations and connotations for each one.
To properly utilize the .com or .net domain extension, consider the following three factors.
What is the Purpose of the Website?
Are you selling a product? Are you offering information? Are you trying to save a species of animal?
These are important questions because they strike at the heart of your business and determine which domain extension is appropriate. Here is a breakdown of the most common domain extensions:
- .com – Usually offers a product or service. “Com” is short for “Commercial.” Commercial businesses, for-profit companies, personal blogs, and non-personal blogs are all standard for owning a .com domain. That being said, because of its generality, almost any website is acceptable as a .com.
- .net – Stands for “Network,” and is generally associated with “umbrella” sites — sites that are home to a wide range of smaller websites. Network sites were initially created for services like internet providers, emailing services, and internet infrastructure.
If your desired .com domain name is taken then consider using a .net. Other commonly used domain extensions have a more specific purpose:
- .org – Short for “Organization.” These sites are generally associated with nonprofits, charities, and other informational organizations that are trying to drive traffic not for commercial purposes. Other organizations who use .org are sports teams, religious groups, and community organizations.
- .edu – or “Education.” Schools, universities, and other educational sites will utilize the .edu domain extension for an air of authority in the education space.
- .gov – or “Government.” These sites are required to be part of the U.S. Government. Anything related to U.S. government programs or other departments must have a .gov domain extension.
How Common is Your Business Name?
Imagine: A business offers standard products like sewing equipment and materials. The name of the company is something equally familiar like Incredible Sewing.
Because “incredible” and “sewing” are two commonly used words, the chances that the appropriate domain is available for a .com domain extension are much less than for .net. (Although as of writing this, Incredible Sewing is available in the domain space.)
The reason for this is how frequently each domain extension is used. In 2018, upwards of 46% of all registered domains used the .com TLD while only 3.7% used .net. When trying to come up with the perfect web address, sometimes it feels like every one-word or two-word .com domain name is already taken. This is one reason why some individuals and businesses will choose to use a .net extension versus a .com.
N.B.: It is beneficial to check if your desired domain is available before moving forward with a project or company.
Going to great lengths to plan in the beginning will save time and prevent you from having to remake those business cards due to an unavailable domain name! If you’re wondering how to search for your domain, check out Domain.com.
Memorability: .Com vs .Net
Has this ever happened to you: An advertisement is playing and you barely catch the tailwind of it? You type in the website address only to have it come up blank. Later, you find out you had put in .com when it was a .net, or some other, domain.
The fact is, the basic assumption about websites is that they all have a .com domain extension. This is because the second most common top-level domain is only used about 5% of the time (.org). By going with the tried and true .com, companies can ditch this confusion and not worry about decreased traffic.
If this seems absurd, consider this: Most cell phone keyboards now come with a “.com” button, though none come with .net, .org or any other domain extensions attached to it.
Other Considerations for Creating a Web Address
While both .com and .net are resourceful domains, there are other considerations to think about when creating a web address. Some of those center around:
- Traditional vs nontraditional domains
- Domain protection
- SEO: how each performs
Traditional vs Nontraditional Domains
For most businesses, straddling the traditional and nontraditional is part of the balancing act. While companies want to seem edgy and unique, unconventional ways can be viewed negatively by more traditional businesses and customers.
In the web domain space there are now over a thousand domain extensions available to the consumer. All but a handful are looked at as “nontraditional.” So, while it might seem valuable to stand out, be sure to consider how it may be viewed professionally.
New TLDs
Back in 2012, ICANN decided to allow businesses to apply for unique domain extensions. This quickly rose the number of TLDs from its original 22. Some of the early applications for domain extensions involved words such as:
Some of these new TLDS offered immediate value to businesses and consumers who wanted a new and noteworthy domain. Others seemed more like gag websites (hence the stereotype of new TLDs being unprofessional). Either way, these new TLDs have exploded into a comprehensive list.
Now, if you’re a yoga company, you can use .yoga. Sell yachts? Make tech? Play tennis? Eat soy? These are all available as domain extensions. Which means not only can you create more unique web addresses, but you can also be more specific. If having a new TLD sounds perfect for your business, be sure to check through the full list to find one that fits your needs.
Domain Protection
Depending on what you want to accomplish with your business website, it might be worth registering both .com and .net. In this way, you can protect yourself from competing companies taking a very similar domain. Otherwise, another company can ride off your success and potentially drive traffic away.
As companies grow, they become more susceptible to being confronted with these sorts of schemes. They are then forced to decide whether to buy out the competing website or to let them be. Needless to say, the larger the company, the more they’re going to have to pay.
What are other things you should look out for when it comes to people using similar domain names?
Typosquatting
Typosquatting is when individuals purchase web domains based on common misspellings of words. From our last example of Incredible Sewing, they might take the web domain by spelling “incredible” as “incredibel.”
By systematically using misspellings, these forms of leaching can drive substantial traffic away from the intended website. These typosquatters can then offer to be bought out, or they’ll just continue to steer traffic to other organizations that they own.
As of right now, the most viable option for protecting yourself is to purchase multiple domains so that they’re unavailable to your competitors.
SEO: How Each Performs
Search engine optimization has to do with complex algorithms that determine how relevant your website is to a given search. In terms of which domain extension you should pick (between com vs net), there is no evidence that suggests one does better over another.
It can be noted, however, that having certain keywords within your web domain can improve your SEO ranking. Having “sewing” within your domain will make your site more relevant for keyword searches around sewing. It’s that straightforward.
Com: Pros and Cons
As an overview, let’s run through the benefits and pitfalls of using a .com domain extension:
- Pros – Using a “commercial” extension, companies and individuals can signify their intention. Whether that’s to sell a product or service or to promote your work, the .com does this in a matter that’s professional and can be trusted. Also, there’s no worrying over your web address being confused.
- Cons – Because nearly half of all websites are based on .com, finding the perfect domain name that isn’t already in use can be tough. It can be pricey to buy out an existing domain and time-consuming to find one available.
Net: Pros and Cons
Originally designed for any network organization like internet providers and email sites, .net sites have been rising in popularity as an alternative to .com.
- Pros – Many fewer .net website domains have been registered than .com domains. This means there’s a higher chance of getting your ideal web domain. Also, because of its original design, .net sites are often associated with having a community around them. This can promote a positive image.
- Cons – These websites will need to market harder to compete with a similar .com site. Automatically, people think that any website is a .com site, which means businesses can lose traffic due to confusion.
How to Create the Perfect Domain Name
Once you’ve decided whether you’re branding with a .com or a .net domain extension, it’s then important to make sure it’s paired with the perfect domain name. The ideal address will do one of three things:
- State your business
- State what your business does
- Incite intrigue
The first two are preferred, while the third is more of a backup strategy. Because many .com and .net sites have already been taken, sometimes a roundabout domain will be the best solution.
A domain name should also have a few decisive characteristics. Try creating a web address that is some combination of:
- Clear
- Concise
- Unmistakable
- Short
Straightforward Approach
The first step is always to check if the business name is available as a domain. If your business name has been taken, check to see how up-to-date the website is. If it’s not current and doesn’t look like it’s being used, it might be possible to purchase the domain name from whomever owns it.
Having the business name as the domain name is ideal because it’s the logical extension of that business. Starbucks has Starbucks.com. Apple has apple.com.
If the business name is unavailable, sometimes it helps to add a modifier word. If starbucks.com was already taken, the next logical domain would be starbuckscoffee.com. In the same way, Apple would be able to use appleelectronics.com. It’s not as short as only having the business name, but it is still clear, concise, and unmistakable.
Branding a Unique Term
Another idea for getting the perfect website domain is to coin a term that’s unique to your business. Then you can use that term within your brand’s website. By doing this, you not only have crafted a unique web identity, but it can also be concise and short.
Ready to Purchase Your Domain Name?
When determining which domain extension is better, .com vs .net, always be sure to look inward first. Acknowledge the purpose of putting your content online. Whether it’s to market a brand, sell a product, or connect various smaller sites by theme, each domain extension has its proper setting.
By crafting the perfect domain name with the suitable domain extension, you can have a web address that is memorable, unique, and fitting for your business.
More Information
To find out more about the differences between new TLDs and gTLDs check out our domain blog today! There you’ll find other resources like How to Block an IP Address, How to Design a Website, and more.
Have you been thinking about starting your own business? There’s no time like the present. But where should you start?
Your business and domain names are some of the first things potential customers see, and can influence their perception of you, so let’s start there. You’ll want to make sure that the business name you choose is also available to register as a domain name. This way, your physical and digital small business presence is consistent and you won’t confuse any potential customers.
In honor of small businesses and entrepreneurs everywhere, our friends at Radix created the infographic below with 10 tips to help you choose the perfect domain name.
It all starts with the right domain. Get yours today at Domain.com.
10 Tips to Find the Perfect Small Business Domain Name
1. K.I.S.S. — Keep it short & simple.
People are busy and deal with constant distractions; be memorable with a short and simple domain name.
2. Avoid using hyphens and numbers.
When it comes to choosing a domain name, err on the side of caution and avoid using lots of numbers and hyphens. Those characters are harder for people to remember, and you may lose out on website traffic.
3. Refrain from unique spelling.
Much like with #2, keep your customers in mind. Chances are they’ll type your domain name the way they believe it should be spelled and never end up on your website.
4. If you already have a business name — use it!
If you’ve already decided on a business name, use it for your domain name. There are many domain extensions, like .store or .tech, that increase the likelihood of you getting the perfect domain name to match your business.
5. Be descriptive.
Don’t leave potential visitors guessing as to what they’ll find on your website. Make your domain name descriptive and creative so they’ll know exactly what to expect from your site.
6. Be relevant.
Going all in on a tech startup? Use .tech. Diving into the world of e-commerce? Consider using a .store domain name extension.
7. Do your homework.
Getting caught up in legal red tape isn’t a lot of fun — don’t use a domain name that’s trademarked.
8. Avoid slang to leave room for growth.
Certain slang might be “in” today and passé tomorrow. Plan for longevity.
9. Don’t ignore Artificial Intelligence.
We live in an age of Artificial intelligence, though you might call it “Alexa” or “Siri.” If automated assistants can’t spell or pronounce your domain name, there’s a problem. Hearkening back to #3 — spelling matters.
10. Plan on being social.
Before hitting “Purchase,” take a few minutes to see if your desired domain name is available across different social media platforms.
It all starts with the right domain. Get yours today at Domain.com.
What other tips and tricks do you know that can help others find the perfect domain name? Share them with small business owners in the comments!
]]>That wolf shirt you love to wear is pretty cool, isn’t it? Fits like a glove, too.
That said, your wolf shirt has no place in an interview or meetings with your customers and clients. (And no, it’s not because we’re trying to cramp your style.)
In the business world, presentation matters. You wouldn’t want to lose potential high-value customers just because they didn’t take your shirt (and therefore you) seriously, would you?
The same thing holds true for email addresses.
If your customers and clients can’t physically see you to size you up, they’re going to make their assumptions and decisions based on the things they do see — like your email address. Your email address is one of the first impressions people will have of you as it has a prominent spot in their inbox. You want that email address to represent you well and show that you mean business.
A Professional Email Address Matches Your Domain Name
What do we mean by “professional email address?” A professional, business-minded email address is one that matches your domain name (i.e., [email protected] vs. [email protected]). And why is that?
Let’s take a look at the following scenario as it should shed some light on the matter.
Look Professional, Establish Credibility, Support Your Digital Identity
Arya spent the last 2 years getting her fencing teacher’s license so she can open her own studio. She’s got an email sign-up form on her website (take note: that’s a really good idea all around) and has been working on growing her list of potential clients. She’s ready to email them and let them know that her studio, Winterfell Fencing, is finally open! But instead of getting an email address to match her domain name, she sends it from the account she’s had since grade school, [email protected].
Now, I don’t know about you, but if I saw an email address like that in my inbox, I’d steer clear from clicking on it because it looks spammy. I like my personal information staying personal, and am in no rush to click on an email that looks like it might be carrying a virus.
But what if she had emailed from [email protected]? I’d recognize her email address and trust it because I’m familiar with her website, winterfellfencing.com. Her professional email address matches her domain name and helps reinforce her business and professional identity. There’s no sending her email to spam this time around because I know exactly who sent it and I trust her business.
Is it really all about appearances?
There’s more to life and business than appearances, right? We think so, too.
Having a professional email address that matches your domain name isn’t just for looks — it’s also to provide you with the productivity tools you need today to prepare and plan for future growth.
Productivity tools that come with your professional email address
When you purchase a professional email address, you’re also getting access to a host of tools to help you organize, streamline, and get more done efficiently.
What are these tools exactly? They range from cloud storage and file sharing to team calendars and even customer invoicing and estimating tools.
Here at Domain.com we offer two different professional email products. Maybe you’ve heard of them … Google’s G Suite (it’s Gmail for business) and Microsoft’s Office 365 (O365)?
Let’s take a look at the specific tools each of them offers.
G Suite: Where your domain meets the power of Gmail. Enjoy the benefits of having a business email address with 30 GB of storage, shared calendars, multiple communication tools, and more.
Office 365: Adding your domain to Office 365 provides an all-in-one productivity solution for your business. You’ll experience cloud-based access to the suite of Office 365 tools, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and more.
With automatic updates and cloud storage for your files, you can collaborate on projects with your team from across the room or across the globe, without worrying about losing files or needing to update any applications. You’ll even be able to stay on track with the included bookkeeping and appointment tools.
Since you’re likely familiar with Microsoft or Gmail already, there shouldn’t be much of a learning curve when getting started. And connecting your domain name to a professional email address is a breeze. For example, if you have a custom domain name with us and choose Office 365 as your email tool of choice, the first step would be to log in to your account. From your domain dashboard, select the domain name you want your email to match, and on the next page, click the Office 365 tab to the left of the page. Follow the prompts, and you’re good to go! Learn more about connecting professional email to your Domain.com account here.
Reinforce the connection between your website and email with a professional email address
Stranger danger is a real thing, especially online. You don’t want your customers ignoring your emails, and they don’t want potential spam landing in their inbox. Match your email address to your domain name to present yourself as a professional, stand out among the competition, and help customers decide that you’re the right business to work with. Save your personal email address (and your wolf shirt) for the weekend.
Have an idea for a business or just a really great idea? Are you ready to take it online?
Well, it all starts with a great domain.
So we’ve gathered all of the essential information you need to find a domain name that stands out, looks professional, and attracts the right audience. Bookmark this page to keep it as a resource for the future.
Ready to get started? Domain.com makes it easy and inexpensive to get the domain name you want, fast.
Glossary of Domain Terms
Words and phrases you need to know when researching and purchasing the right domain for your business or brand. Find the definition you need here.
Domain name vs. URL, what’s the difference?
A domain name is like your website’s address and it’s what leads people to your site, whereas the universal resource locator, or URL, includes more specific information like the location of documents or pages on your website. Discover more here.
What is a domain extension or top-level domain (TLD)?
In the domain name “Domain.com,” the letters after ‘Domain’ represent the domain extension. While .com may be the most well-known extension, there are thousands of others like .co, .tech, .online, .live, and more.
How to choose a domain name
How do you select a domain name that is relevant to your business or brand and that’s also catchy, short, easy to spell, and easy to say? Check out our best tips in this article.
How to buy a domain name
Find a registrar, like Domain.com, for access to all of the major TLDs available, and choose the one that best fits your needs. Find out what to expect when you start searching for yours.
The difference between new domains vs existing domains
Whether you’re buying a new domain name, adding to your domain name portfolio, or purchasing an existing domain, Domain.com is here to help. Not sure what the difference is between new and expired domain names? We can help with that, too.
What if your domain is already taken?
Find out what your options are for securing an alternate domain name, or learn how to find the owner of the domain that’s perfect for your business so you can attempt to purchase it from them.
I bought a domain name, now what?
Once you’ve secured your domain name, it’s time to start establishing your brand and attracting an audience from around the world. Here’s a rundown of what you should do post-domain name purchase.
How to maintain your new domain
Domain names require some maintenance. Don’t worry, it’s nothing too extreme. Here’s what you need to know.
It all starts with the right domain
Find the best domain name for your business by first doing a little research. Read the in-depth articles we’ve linked to above and learn how to find a domain name that stands out, looks professional, and attracts the right audience.
Any questions? Let us know in the comments below.
]]>