Domain Name: What is it?

Start your online presence by securing a great domain name. The process is similar across all domain registrars. Popular domain registrars lure you with great discounts for the first year before raising the price when you renew. Let me highlight the features you need and those that you don’t.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a short, easy to remember address that you type into your browser to load a website. For example, you can easily type ‘vjdesign.com.au’ into your web browser to bring up my website.

This is far easier than trying to remember and type an IP address like 35.213.242.70.

The web browser then talks to a Domain Name Server (DNS) which confirms the corresponding IP address. It’s just like looking up an address in a phone book.

Find a good Domain Name

Get started on your online journey the right way – choose a domain name that is catchy, unique and brandable. It can be a hassle to switch your domain name later on without hurting your search rankings. Renew your domain name every year.

Things to consider when choosing a domain name:

1. Include keywords in your domain name to improve your SEO (for example, vitaminsforall.com.au sells supplements)
2. Your domain name should be short, unique and memorable – i.e. create a brand
3. Your domain name should be easy to pronounce and spell
4. Avoid the use of hyphens or non-standard spelling
5. Stick with standard domain extensions like .com
   .com.au is a preferable option for Australian websites. You need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to register a .com.au site (more trusted).
6. If you find a domain that you like, buy it immediately before someone else takes it. Domains cost less than $20 to buy (but several thousand to buy back if you miss the boat)

Use a service like Instant Domain Search to check domain availability instantly. Search domain names, domain extensions, and domains for sale.

Domain Registrars – to buy your domain name

There are several popular domain registrars including GoDaddy, Domain.com, Name Cheap, Net Registry, Crazy Domains and more. However most of them lure you lower first year price and / or provide unnecessary add-ons.

My preferred set up is to use NameCheap for domain registration and Cloudways for hosting. NameCheap offers transparent pricing, privacy focussed and a simple easy to use interface for domain registration and professional business email.

If you need hosting and domain management on the same platform, then use Site Ground. A cheaper alternative for hobby bloggers and for very small businesses is BlueHost (it is my second choice). BlueHost includes a free domain name for the first year.