Choosing a website domain is an exciting yet unfamiliar task for many. It’s not every day that you get to pick a name for your business and website! It’s totally natural to feel a bit uncertain about where to begin. Essentially, your domain name or the name you come up with for your website is like your phone number, your website can be compared to your actual physical phone, and the hosting service is like your phone carrier. Try to think of these three things in that way as you go through this article to make things just a little bit more clear.
So, let’s start from the top as we work through this process. Similar to acquiring a phone number, you’ll visit a domain registrar first. Factors to consider when choosing a place to register your domain include pricing, customer support, ease of domain management, and additional services offered. While we have our preferred domain registrars, which we will get to later, it’s essential for you to conduct thorough research to determine which registrar aligns best with your needs and budget. Once you’ve chosen a registrar, you get to choose your domain name. Brainstorming the perfect name for your website is probably the most enjoyable part in this whole process, so enjoy it! However, the availability of domain names varies, and some may come at a higher price due to their popularity or because others have already claimed them and set the price for resale. Keep in mind that just like you can move your iPhone to any cell phone carrier or change the phone number at any time, the same is true with your website. You can move to different hosting or a different domain any time you like, so don’t stress too much.
On a side note, when choosing your name, you’ll decide on a domain extension, such as .com, .org, or .net. Each option carries its own unique connotations and considerations. The .com extension is undoubtedly the most popular and widely recognized. Its ubiquity makes it a default choice for many seeking a professional online presence. On the other hand, the .org extension traditionally signifies non-profit organizations and communities, lending credibility and trustworthiness to websites with this extension. Meanwhile, the .net extension, originally intended for network-related websites, is now commonly used by businesses and organizations as an alternative to .com. The .com extension leads the domain extensions at 52.8% of websites with .org close behind with 4.4, and .net at 3.1. Ultimately, whether you opt for a .com, .org, .net, or any other extension, consistency, relevance, and clarity should play the biggest role in your choice.
Coming back to choosing a domain service (or domain registrar), there are so many choices and it can get a little overwhelming without guidance. There’s a plethora of options, from established hosts offering a range of features to specialized services catering to specific needs, so we hope to make this part a little easier for you. Here is our list of preferred hosting services and the reasons why we like them. Make sure you take a look at each so you can find the best one for you.
Our Favorites
Hover
When it comes to selecting a reliable domain registrar, Hover stands out as an excellent choice. We love Hover for its seamless user experience and hassle-free domain management, but we really love Hover for its swift domain propagation. Basically this means that when updating your site or going live, Hover is really quick with that process so that your website is not down for very long. Hover is easy and reliable. What more could you ask for?
Cloudflare
Cloudflare earns its spot as a top recommendation due to its unparalleled speed capabilities. As the industry leader in optimizing website performance, Cloudflare guarantees super fast loading times, enhancing user experience and search engine rankings. When you choose Cloudflare, you’re investing in the #1 tool for speed, so if that’s a big game changer for you, Cloudflare may be a great choice.
Domain.com
Domain.com honestly deserves recognition because it has so many different tools and specialized services. We love it mostly for its robust features and user-friendly interface. Whether you’re a seasoned website owner or just starting your online journey, Domain.com offers a ton of services to meet your needs. From domain registration to website hosting and more, Domain.com has everything you need to build and maintain a successful online presence.
Name.com
Finally, last but not least, Name.com also stands as a really great choice for securing your domain and launching your website with confidence. With its user-friendly interface and reliable service, Name.com caters to both beginners and experienced website owners. If you prioritize ease of use, customer support, or affordability, Name.com can do incredible things. Check it out to see if it matches your needs.
PS Here’s a Few Tips
We didn’t want to leave before we gave you just a few tips to keep in mind as you go about selecting your website domain and hosting provider. Firstly, opt for a domain name that is both easy to spell and memorable, as this will really boost user accessibility and brand recognition. Additionally, consider securing variations of your domain to safeguard your brand identity. For example, if your name is therapy.com, you could also consider purchasing therapy.net, therapies.com, or other similar names so that competition won’t pop up and confuse your clients. Secondly, prioritize security and reliability when choosing a hosting provider. Look for features such as SSL certificates and dependable customer support to ensure the protection and seamless functioning of your website. Lastly, don’t hesitate to seek guidance and support from online resources or professionals to make good decisions in this process.
As we mentioned, you can change hosting services, or domain names whenever you want to. Obviously, it’s much easier to pick one that you like in the beginning and stick with it, but sometimes things happen. We hope this blog helps you to make the right choice this time around so you can feel confident as you take this exciting step with your business. Creating and running a business is so exciting; enjoy every step in the process!