I’ve brought a domain name, what do I do next?

Every domain name carries immense potential, waiting to be unlocked by you. If you’ve registered a domain name and are wondering, “What next?” this blog post is here to guide you. A domain name can do much more than just point people towards your website, but what?

By the end of this post, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities your domain offers. We’ll begin by exploring the concept of domains and the art of naming as a form of linguistic design. Then, we’ll delve into how you can effectively utilize your domain name to meet your personal, business, or branding goals.

What kind of domain name do you have?

A quick online search yields plenty of advice on choosing domain names: “Make it short! Relevant! Catchy! Memorable!” While this is sound advice, it doesn’t consider your domain’s role within the broader context of your business.

Did you know that your domain name impacts not only brand perception but also your marketing strategy? Domain names typically fall into two categories: Discoverable or Brandable.

Discoverable domain names use “real world” terms. They’re descriptive, composed of dictionary words, and often include generic keywords someone might search for online. This means people unfamiliar with your brand can still find your site through related keywords or topics, known as “type-in” traffic. An example would be johnscarwash.com.

Brandable names, on the other hand, are usually coined terms not found in dictionaries. These names are crafted to resonate with the brand’s purpose in a unique way, often drawing on metaphors or combining other words. Because they lack keywords that drive type-in traffic, brands with these names require more comprehensive (often paid) marketing strategies. You’ll need to work harder to link your name with your services in customers’ minds, but once established, your name could become iconic in your field (think Google).

Consider the type of name you’ve registered: Is it Brandable or Discoverable? Do you have the resources for paid marketing campaigns if it’s the former? Before building your business around your domain, ensure you have a solid marketing plan in place.

Next steps for domain name owners

Now you have an understanding of types of domains, and what your domain name can achieve on it’s own, let’s take a look at the next steps for your domain name.

Domain Privacy and Protection

Firstly, and most importantly, protect your personal information! When you register a domain, personal details like your name and email are collected and made publicly accessible through ICANN’s WHOIS database. This database allows anyone to search for a domain and discover its owner. Unfortunately, many bad actors exploit the WHOIS database to scrape personal information.

To safeguard your information from spammers, telemarketers, and bots, consider purchasing Domain Privacy + Protection if it isn’t included with your domain name. This service masks your personal details while maintaining your complete control over the domain.

Simplify your domain management

By enabling auto-renew on your domain name, you will ensure that the domain name never expires, giving you one less thing to worry about. Not sure how to set-up auto-renew on your domain? Elite customers can follow this useful guide.

Get your name registered everywhere

Regardless of your current use for your domain, it’s crucial to prepare for the future. Start by creating social media profiles with your domain name and obtaining a custom, professional email address. Proactively thinking about brand protection now can prevent future issues. Additionally, consider registering common misspellings and alternate versions of your domain.

Create your website

Ready to do more with your domain? Watching your idea take flight and succeed is immensely satisfying. Start by defining your site’s purpose and goals.

Understanding your website’s purpose will clarify your requirements. For instance, if you plan to start a personal blog, you won’t need eCommerce capabilities. However, if you’re launching an online retail business, you’ll need eCommerce functionality, terms of service, and more.

Once you’ve identified your requirements, consider how they will influence your site’s design. Will a simple Website Builder meet your needs? Or do you need an eCommerce Website Builder?

No matter what kind of hosting you need, Elite has you covered with a wide range of hosting, fit for all websites. For small independent websites and blogs, shared web hosting will have your back for a small monthly fee. For large websites expecting a high traffic audience, VPS hosting will be able to support all of your needs. Maybe you have something in the middle? Then WordPress hosting, or WooCommerce hosting will fit your needs perfectly.

Reselling domains

Did you purchase your domain with the intent of reselling it? Well, you’ve entered the world of domaining. Domaining is the industry term for domain speculation. Domain speculation refers to the practice of identifying, registering, and investing in domain names with the intent of reselling them for a profit.

It can be very profitable. However, like with any investment, this could go either way. So it’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of reselling domains before you start. As far as choosing the right domain names goes, consider your budget and the costs associated with the domains you want. Different domain extensions have varying renewal prices, so ensure you have the funds to cover both the initial registration and ongoing renewals until you decide to sell them.

It’s simple to advertise your domain name for sale. You can create simple landing pages for these domains that include your contact information. Clearly display any additional stipulations for the sale on these pages. Additionally, you can list your domains on dedicated domain aftermarket sites like Namejet.com.

Conclusion

We’re excited to see how you use your domain name and wish you the best of luck with your business! Hopefully, you’ll now know the best use for your domain name, and maybe have an incentive to invest in a new domain name!