Everything You Need to Know About Website Domains

One of the first steps you take in ecommerce is to purchase a domain name.
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But if you have no experience with building websites or selling online, this sound daunting. In reality, getting a domain is a breeze. But choosing a name is not quite as straightforward as you may think.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about website domains and hosting.

What is a Website Domain?

A domain is a unique address that identifies a website on the internet. In other words, it’s the address that will be used to access your site. 

It typically consists of two parts: a top-level domain (TLD), such as .com or .net, and a second-level domain (SLD), such as google or bing. In order to purchase a domain, you must first select a TLD and check to see if the SLD you want is available. 

Once you have found an available domain, you can purchase it from a domain registrar such as GoDaddy or Namecheap.

How much do website domains cost?

Domain registration typically costs between $10 and $20 per year, and renewals are usually required on an annual basis. Although there are many different TLDs to choose from, .com domains are by far the most popular choice for business websites.

​And, for this reason, they can be more difficult to find and may be more expensive than other TLDs. However, they are still an excellent choice for any business that wants to establish itself online.

How do you purchase a website domain?

Before you can launch a website, you'll need to purchase a domain. 

Once you've chosen a registrar, you'll need to select a domain name. The best domain names are short, easy to remember, and relevant to your business – but more on this in the next section. Once you've found a domain name that's available, you can complete the purchase and set up your website.

The purchase of your domain happens on the registrar’s website. Similar to owning real estate on which you’ll pay a mortgage, the purchase for your domain is not one and done. Think of it as your digital real estate that you’ll need to make annual payments on in order to keep.

Most domain registrar’s will allow you to set up automatic annual payments for your domain.

Does it matter where I buy my domain from?
The short answer: Not really. As long as you choose a reputable domain registrar, you should be fine. The main thing to look for is whether the registrar offers all the features you need, such as privacy protection and email forwarding. 

Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. So whether you buy your domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or any other registrar, you can rest assured that you're in good hands.

How do you choose a domain name?

Domain names are important for businesses and individuals who want to establish an online presence. And the process of choosing one can be daunting. But it’s important to take the time to select a name that will be effective for your needs.

There are a few key considerations when choosing a domain name. These include relevancy, memorability, and length. 

It’s also important to consider the extension (or top-level domain), as this can impact search engine optimization and how easily people can find your website

Here are some quick tips for choosing a domain name:

• Always stick to .com extensions: When was the last time you visited a .net website? That said, if you can get a .com as well as other extensions that are relevant - i.e. .shop, .photo, etc, you should consider adding those in.
• ​Keep it short and sweet: A shorter domain name is easier to remember and less likely to be misspelled.
• Make it easy to pronounce and spell: A domain name that's easy to say or spell is also easy to remember.
• Steer clear of hyphens and numbers: Domain names with hyphens can be difficult to remember, and numbers can be easily confused with letters.
• Use keywords wisely: Choose words that accurately describe your business or product and that are likely to be typed into a search engine

How to check the availability of a domain name

Once you have selected a few potential options, it’s advisable to check the availability of the domain name before making your final decision. Most domain registrar’s will offer this service for free. For example, take a look at the free WHOIS domain lookup offered by GoDaddy.

What to do after buying your domain name

Once you've found a domain name that's available, you can complete the purchase and set up your website. 

If you're not sure where to start, you can use a web hosting service such as Ecwid by Lightspeed, WordPress, WooCommerce or Wix to create a professional-looking website without any coding required. Purchasing a domain name is the first step in launching your own website. Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to creating a successful ecommerce presence.

Michael Arnold

Michael is a freelancer from New York City. When he isn’t writing about how Kliken unleashes the marketing, you can find him reading, writing for pleasure, or traveling the globe.

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