- October 17, 2017
- Posted by: Jon Coss
- Categories: Domains, FAQs, IT Company Overview
A domain name is more than just the URL for your website; it is your online identity, and for many customers will be the first thing that they associate with your brand. We looked at seven of the most frequently asked questions.
#1 What is a domain name?
This is essentially a digital version of a street address. A street address provides an exact location of a specific building on a map, and a domain acts in the same way online. It will have both a top-level domain (TLD) and a second-level domain (SLD).
The TLD is the part after the “.”, such as .com. The SLD is the part before this “.”.
#2 Does it need to be the same as my company name?
No it doesn’t, and in theory you can choose whichever title you would like. However, it is recommended to choose a domain name that aligns either with your company name or branding, to help maintain consistency throughout all of your material.
#3 How should I choose one?
Considering the above, align your domain name with either the keywords that you target or your brand. For example, if you’re a company that sells chairs, then perhaps you want the keyword “chair” in your title.
Alternatively, hugely successful companies such as Apple have chosen branding and domains that don’t relate to their products; but instead they have built a brand around the word “Apple”.
#4 Do I need a .com?
While .com domains are the most highly sought after, it is not an absolute necessity to have one. Over 112 million .com domains have already been registered, so you won’t find it easy to always get the one you want. Other domains, such as .co, .org or .io can be just as effective.
#5 Can I only have one domain name for my website?
No, you can have multiple addresses pointing to one website. In fact, in some cases, this is recommended. Perhaps if your company name has two different spellings, such as in US English and UK English. By having a domain with both spellings, you will ensure you capture a larger audience.
#6 Do I have to do anything after purchasing my address?
Yes. Purchasing and registering your name is only the first step. After this, it needs a hosted website which is active. If you want to find out more about website hosting, please visit our IT support page here.
#7 How can I protect my domain?
Once you purchase your address, it’s yours, and no-one else can have the same one. However, it is still recommended that you explore website security and protection options to further protect yourself. If you would like to discuss these options, we can offer IT consultancy and strategy support.
Are you looking for more information?
If you would like further assistance with the sourcing or registering of a domain name, or if you have any other questions, then we would be more than happy to help. Please get in contact with us here.
Image credit: jp26jp
