One of the most important aspects of starting a website for your business is your domain and hosting. Domain names and hosting are two different things, though they overlap in many ways. A domain name is what gives the world access to your website. It’s what they enter into the address bar in a browser to find your website and its content. A dedicated hosting provider makes that domain content accessible to internet users after you make a website.
When you buy a domain name and select a web host, you must carefully consider your options. The right domain name and web hosting provider will make your website easy to remember and can even help you with your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Here’s what you should know about selecting the perfect domain name and finding the right hosting provider so you can stand out online.
How Do Domain Names Work?
Domain names are your online identity — and the literal address for your website. They work in tandem with DNS (Domain Name Servers) that are akin to a phone/address book. These domain names are translated and pointed to IP addresses where website files are located. Although computers solely access website domains based on IP addresses, it is far easier for us to remember a domain name than a string of numbers.
In addition to the domain name itself, there are also different types of domain extensions to consider. Businesses typically use dot com domain extensions, while nonprofits would use dot org. The type of domain extension you use makes it easier to find your site online and helps customers know what type of organization you are.
Domain names are typically purchased through a domain registrar. While some hosting providers offer free domain registration, many domain registrars only charge a small fee to claim and register a name for your website.
What to Consider When You Register a Domain Name
Domain name registration shouldn’t just focus on trying to pick something catchy or short. Whenever possible, your website name should match the name of your business. If the desired domain name that matches your company name isn’t available, pick something that is easy to remember and relatively short. You could also use geographical keywords or other relevant keywords related to your industry.
There are several domain checker tools online to help you determine if your preferred domain name is available. Simply enter your desired domain name, and you’ll be able to see if that domain name is available. In some cases, you can buy domain names from the current domain holder, but this can be expensive and complicated.
It is usually cheaper and easier to select an available domain name, rather than trying to purchase the domain from the current owner. Transferring a domain can be especially tricky if the existing website with that domain name had a lot of content.
Don’t make the mistake of launching your website with a weak top-level domain name that is hard to remember or a poor match for your business name. Remember, this is how the world is going to access your new website. Without visitors and traffic, your website means nothing. At Site Rockstar, we can help you brainstorm and determine your new domain name! We can guide you through the domain registration process so you can ensure that your new domain is set up properly.
What Do Hosting Providers Do?
It’s important to purchase a domain name and build a website that looks great, but your site is ultimately only as good as the hosting company behind it. The hosting provider is what makes your website accessible to internet users. Without hosting, you actually can’t get your website online, even if your web address has already been registered.
There are many options when it comes to choosing domain hosting to get your business online. It is imperative to do your homework and take your time when weighing your options for a new hosting provider. For example, while WordPress hosting works well for many sites, another hosting solution might be better for your company based on its traffic capacity, pricing, or other features.
Quality web hosting service providers ensure consistent uptime for your website, while also offering security features that protect your site and its accounts. The last thing you want is a website that loads very slow or continually crashes and comes offline. This can deter potential visitors, which can then mean a loss of potential income for your business or other detrimental effects.
When it comes down to it, you want a hosting provider that will be able to provide you with the best value, service, speed and security at the best price. With a quality hosting provider, anyone can access your website when they enter the domain name for your site, no matter what web browser or device they’re using.
How Site Rockstar Can Help
A quality domain name, paired with a top-notch hosting provider, ensures that others can easily access your website so your products and services can reach more people.
After you’ve found the perfect domain name, you can trust Site Rockstar to help with domain registration and selecting a hosting. We offer a variety of hosting plans and website management services at a great price so you can focus on other important tasks! We’ll help you manage your domain with automatic WordPress updates, backups and optimized WordPress servers to provide your site with full speed and less downtime. We’ve got you covered.
Just like with a car or a book with a bland cover, sometimes the most important things are not seen by the naked eye. Make sure your new website is in good hands and running smoothly behind the scenes. Contact us today to get started!
