So, you’re ready to build a new website, but not sure where to start? Here are some tips and tricks to domain selection, registration and hosting, along with questions you should ask at each stage.
What Will Your Domain Name Be?
Choosing a domain name is important. Ideally, the URL (your web address) would include a keyword related to your product or service, which is good for SEO, and contain your company name, which is great for brand recognition. You are likely going to choose a .com or .ca URL, depending on your country and audience. You can even choose to purchase both and have one redirect to the other. You can check to see if your preferred URL is available and register your domain through GoDaddy here.
Where is Your Domain Registered?
If you’ve already registered your domain, it’s important to make sure you’re renewing it on an annual basis. Often domain registrars will offer multiple year renewal programs, which are cheaper and give you peace of mind that your domain ownership is protected. File your domain registrar login information in a safe place. You’ll only really need to access this if you need to renew your domain or launch a website. If you’re not sure where your domain is registered, you can use WHOIS for hints:
Where Will Your Domain Be Hosted?
Once you’ve registered your domain, you can choose your hosting set up. If you’ve registered through GoDaddy, you may also want to host through GoDaddy. There are a lot of great reasons to host through GoDaddy, including 24/7 support, optimized servers and having your SSL certificate included. An SSL certificate is essential to encrypt and protect your site’s data and ensure you get found online. Frontline Consulting can offer recommendations on hosting options that suit your individual needs. If you’re building a WordPress site, GoDaddy has some great and affordable options.
Have You Connected Your Domain Name To Your Hosting Account?
Once your domain has been registered and you’ve selected your hosting platform (or in conjunction with this), you’ll begin to build your website. Once this process is complete, it’s time to connect your domain name to your hosting account in order to launch your site.
Basically, if your website is your house, the hosting is the land underneath your house. Your domain registration is the address of your house, and the internet is the street that leads traffic to your house. By connecting your domain name to your hosting account you’re telling your hosting account what your address is. If you’re using GoDaddy, here are the steps you need to take to connect your domain name to your hosting account:
Here’s a breakdown of all the steps from GoDaddy.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Many businesses either don’t have the time or the patience to build and launch a website. Dealing with the many issues that arise can be enough to make you want to abandon the whole process. Rest assured, regardless of the path you chose for domain hosting and registration, Frontline is here to help! From initial web development and design to website launch, we’ll guide you through the whole process and make recommendations based on what’s best for you.
Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free custom quote on your web development project.
