Registering a Domain for Your Startup: How to Properly Do It

You probably know that having a good domain name is advisable and something that practically every company has, but do you know what it takes to create one? Having your own domain name is going to simplify so many things.

For starters, people are going to be able to locate your brand much faster which is going to further establish your online presence. But what does a domain name truly mean? It can be defined as the address that people type into their browser to go straight to your web page.

It’s safe to say that it is a perfect replacement for an IP address. There are various ways to do this free of charge (or for a small fee) and if you want to uncover them then stay tuned because today we will put together some awesome tips.

The First Step Is to Hunt Down a Domain Name Registrar

In case you don't know, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (which represents the non-profit) supervises the whole system of domain names and it enables outside businesses, widely known as domain registrars to sell domain names.

In a nutshell, you will have to register your domain name by using a registrar. There are various domain registrars that are very reliable and very popular among people, such as GoDaddy, CLDY, Domain.com, and Bluehost. Whatever you choose out of these will definitely be a great choice.

But before you pick anything, first make sure to go through the policies and pricing as it is going to manage your domain name.

Select a Great Domain Name

If you’re still confused by this term, then we will make things clearer by describing it as the name of your site. It is practically the part of your URL that is showcased before the extension like .org or .com.

So what type of domain name is the best? According to experts, the best domain name is one that's striking, relatively short, easy to remember, and above all, the one that aligns with your brand and your company.

But there’s one thing that should be noted before you take any further steps. We do not mean to discourage you by any means, but finding and creating a domain name that perfectly depicts your firm and what it does and that’s at the same time unique and available is not going to be that easy.

However, if you want to streamline this entire process, then be sure to visit some of the aforementioned registrars so you can determine whether something you've come up with is available.

In some instances, you will stumble upon a domain name that is available, but that's actually quite pricey. Now, there are people who are willing to pay any amount of money to own it. However, if that's not the case with you, then you should consider the name that comes with less "popular" extensions, such as .net or .biz.

These are typically either free of charge or are very affordable and are perfect for the ones who currently do not have the means for something that's more expensive. Moreover, frequently, the domain name registrar is going to suggest similar domain names that are currently at your disposal.

For example, if mylovelybooks.com isn’t available for the time being, it will most likely suggest something like this mylovelybooks.net. Now, even if a particular domain name is available, you should still check to confirm that that specific name can also be used on social media platforms to ensure alignment between your social media platforms and site.

Don't Forget to Safeguard Your Personal Information From Turning Into Public Knowledge

Keep in mind that once you register your domain name, your owner information is going to become part of the public registry. So what does it mean? It means that literally, everybody will be able to see all your basic information, such as your name, phone number, email address, and address where you reside.

And that’s not a good thing for your privacy, due to the fact that you’ll be constantly bombarded with spam, and (worst case scenario) someone may even try to steal your identity. Of course, something like this doesn’t happen often, but you can never be too safe these days, right?

So how can you protect yourself from these inconveniences? It's relatively simple. All you have t do is to have some type of ID protection. Namely, these add-ons are here to hide your information so that no one from the outside world can see it and instead employ placeholders.

Although mail is still going to be forwarded to your inbox, don’t worry, there is a shielding layer between you and the person who has sent you an email.

Renew Your Registration on Time

If you are reading this section, then it most likely means that you have successfully executed all the steps that were previously mentioned which is a great thing. However, what you probably do not know is the fact that your registration is valid for a certain period of time.

This normally refers to one year (because that’s the period of time that a vast majority of people select in the first place). So what happens after? Once that expires, then you are obligated to renew your domain name.

That’s the only way you’ll be able to continue utilizing it. Keep in mind that there are some registrars that hold onto a particular domain name for a certain period of time before they decide to sell it.

But that's something that you have to get yourself familiar with it before you choose a specific registrar. That's why it would be advisable to go to their website and see the rules regarding this topic.

Namely, there are registrars out there that give users some time to renew their domain name. It's usually up to one month, however, whatever the case may be, you will certainly receive an email right before expiration.

Registering a domain name is definitely not as challenging as some of you may think. However, as you can see, there are several steps that need to be taken in order to execute this the right way. So good luck!