What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is your website's address — the thing people type into their browser to find you. For example, starviewdata.com is our domain name.
Think of it like your business's street address, but for the internet. Without one, people have no way to find your website.
The Parts of a Domain Name
Let's break down www.yourbusiness.com:
- yourbusiness — This is the part you choose. It's usually your business name or something close to it.
- .com — This is called the "extension" or TLD (top-level domain). There are hundreds of options now:
.com,.net,.org,.shop,.io,.tech, and many more. - www — This is optional and mostly a leftover from the early internet. Most sites work with or without it.
How to Pick a Good Domain Name
- Keep it short and simple — If people can't remember it or spell it, they won't find you
- Match your business name —
joesbakery.comis better thanbestbakeryintown2024.com - Stick with .com if you can — It's still what most people expect. But
.net,.co, or a niche extension like.shopor.studioworks fine too - Avoid hyphens and numbers — They're hard to say out loud and easy to mistype
- Think about how it sounds — You'll say it on the phone, in ads, and on business cards. If you have to spell it out every time, it's too complicated.
How to Get One
- Check if it's available — Go to a domain registrar like Namecheap, Cloudflare Registrar, or Squarespace Domains and search for the name you want
- Register it — Domains usually cost between $10-15 per year. Some newer extensions cost more.
- Renew it — Domain names are rented, not owned. You pay annually to keep it. Set up auto-renewal so you don't lose it by accident.
Pro tip: Cloudflare Registrar sells domains at wholesale cost with no markup. It's one of the cheapest options out there.
Things to Watch Out For
- Don't let your domain expire — If it lapses, someone else can buy it, and getting it back can be expensive or impossible
- You should own it, not your web developer — Make sure the domain is registered under YOUR account. Some developers register domains under their own accounts, which can cause problems later
- Privacy protection — When you register a domain, your contact info can become public. Most registrars now include free privacy protection that hides your personal details. Make sure it's turned on.
- Watch for upsells — Some registrars try to sell you a bunch of extras you don't need at checkout. You probably just need the domain and privacy protection.
Already Have a Domain?
If you already have a domain name but need help connecting it to a new website or email service, let us know. We handle domain setup and DNS management so you don't have to worry about the technical details.