How to Register a Domain Name?

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So you have a product, but you don’t know what to do next? Creating and registering a domain is likely your next step. Our guide walks you through the basics of domain name registration. Including what it is, what to consider, and how to do it.

When you use the internet, you generally type in the name of a website, also known as a domain name, into an internet browser. That name is then searched for in the domain name servers and then connected to your web browser to allow you to see the contents of that location. So maybe you’ve been wondering how to register your domain name? Or are you asking yourself, What is domain registration?

Domain registration is the process of registering a name so that it can be used on the Internet. It allows a person or group to claim a specific domain name.  

The following guide will go through all of the common questions and concerns of domain registration. We’ll also give you a step-by-step guide to getting your domain registered so you can start showing up today!

What is Domain Name Registration?

In order for website names to be recognized on the internet, a system was put in place to register domain names. There is also an organization that is responsible for the registration process, name conventions, and governance of the registrars throughout the world. This organization, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), is an international, community-driven organization and is not owned or governed by any one country.

In their own words, ICANN is defined as:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an internationally organized, non-profit corporation that has responsibility for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation, protocol identifier assignment, generic (gTLD) and country code (ccTLD) Top-Level Domain Name System (DNS) management, and root server system management functions. These services were originally performed under a U.S. Government contract by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and other entities. ICANN now performs the IANA function.

As a private-public partnership, ICANN is dedicated to preserving the operational stability of the Internet; to promoting competition; to achieving broad representation of global Internet communities; and to developing policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up, consensus-based processes.

ICANN Archives

Simply put, domain registration is the process of registering a domain name through an official domain registrar.  

How to Register a Domain Name

Here’s a step-by-step overview of the domain registration process:

1. Choose a Domain Registrar (Like InMotion Hosting)

Before choosing a domain name, it’s important to choose the right domain registrar. First of all, choose a host that is accredited by ICANN, as these are all legitimate. Secondly, consider factors such as security, customer service, user experience, privacy, and cost. With over two decades in the domain hosting industry, InMotion Hosting is the domain registrar of choice for many developers, small businesses, and multinational enterprises across the globe. 

2. Select Your Domain Name

Your domain name should reflect your business, website, or eCommerce platform in the most straightforward way possible. Your domain should be relevant to your business or site activities (such as your business name), have longevity (it shouldn’t be something that could change down the line), and be simple and easy to remember.

3. Check Domain Availability

Every domain is unique. If your chosen domain name is already taken, you may have to choose another, or make adjustments to it. Adjustments could include changing the TLD component (top-level domain), or adding or replacing a word.

4. Choose Your Domain Extension (TLD)

The TLD, or top-level domain, refers to the final part of the domain. It is used to identify the geographical location (for example, ‘.ca’ indicates that a website is based in Canada) or function (for example, ‘.org’ refers to an organization). 

5. Complete The Registration With Your Contact Information

Once you have selected an available and appropriate domain name, you will need to register your information with ICANN (such as name, address, and contact information). 

Alternatively, the domain host may provide a service in which their details are registered instead of yours. Such is the case with InMotion Hosting. This service is useful for website owners who want more privacy and want to limit the number of third parties who have their data.

6. Set Up Essential Security Measures

As with all digital assets, your new domain name may be vulnerable to malicious attacks (for example, a hacker could set up a redirect to another site). In order to prevent this, make sure your domain host has security measures you can implement, such as domain name locks.

7. Connect Your Domain to Hosting

Once the security of your domain is set up, you need to ensure it points to the right host by updating the name servers and then completing the verification process (keep in mind this may take some time). With your domain name and host aligned, your website will be faster, more optimized for search engines, and more responsive. For new or inexperienced website owners, customer support teams are often on hand to assist with this process.

8. Configure Email and Other Services

Once your domain name and host are synced, you will need to consider which other services you need to support the growth of your business beyond the website itself. These include email services, social media accounts, and other third-party platforms where you have a presence. They all need to be set up or updated to include the gateway to the most important digital space of your business: your new domain name.

When you register a domain name, it is placed in the DNS and associated with an IP address. This allows you to find the location of that domain name using your internet browser.

Registered domain names are unique to prevent having multiple websites with the same name. Registered domains are not registered indefinitely. The registration must be renewed periodically.

What is a Domain Registrar?

A domain registrar (sometimes called a domain host) is an accredited entity that takes your domain name registration and adds it to the domain name system so that it can be recognized on the internet.

Domain registrars are accredited through ICANN and must go through an accreditation process that involves financial as well as organizational requirements before they can be approved.

When selecting a domain registrar, consider these important factors beyond just price:

Security Features

Security features for domains can include domain name locks, domain change notifications, and vulnerability scanners. Maintaining security over your domain is crucial for protecting your reputation, your website visitors, and the trustworthiness of your domain for search engines. 

Customer Support

Choose a host that offers robust customer support so that help is always available when needed. From the initial set-up to ongoing maintenance, you should always have someone to talk to if you have questions about your domain.

User Interface

Having an overview of your domain name shouldn’t be difficult. Choose a domain registrar that allows you to easily see the status of your domain, make changes, and easily transfer to another registrar if the need arises.

Additional Services

When choosing a domain registrar, opt for one that offers more than the basic service of domain registration. Choosing a hosting plan with the same registrar can make the set-up process easier, and they often include extra domain services. InMotion Hosting, for instance, includes extra domain services such as automatic renewal, 24/7 customer service, and advanced web builders. 

Renewal Pricing Transparency

The renewal price of your domain shouldn’t come as a surprise. Choose a domain registrar that is transparent about pricing, renewal dates, and options for domain transfer or sale if the need arises. The renewal date should be clear and easily found in the interface, and renewal notices should be sent well in advance of the renewal date. A registrar with a support team available is highly beneficial should you have any questions about your domain name renewal.

Auto-Renewal Options

Ideally, domain names should renew automatically to avoid potential downtime, damage to your reputation, and loss of clientele. The upcoming auto-renewal should be communicated ahead of time and shouldn’t require much, if any, effort from you.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is the letters and numbers that represent an internet location identified by an IP address.  When you look at a URL (which includes the domain name), it can be broken into several parts as shown here:

URL breakdown graphic
  • The protocol is what is used on the browser to connect with the website location.
  • A subdomain is an additional part of your domain name.  “WWW” is generally created automatically for you and was originally used to identify that it was on the “World Wide Web”.
    • An example of a subdomain is other.domain-name.com. “Other” is the name of the subdomain that resides within your main domain.
  • The domain name is the part of the URL that identifies your site with letters or numbers.  A root domain is a combination of the domain name and the top-level domain.  A domain name represents the IP address with a name that makes it easily identifiable.
  • A top-level domain (TLD) is the final part of the domain name and is used to identify the location based on geography or function.  The original seven generic TLDs included .com, .net, .org, .int, .edu, .gov, and .mil. 

Choosing the Right TLD

As of March 2021, the IANA root database includes over 1,500 TLDs. This makes the choice of your TLD a little more difficult, but it also opens it up to have a domain name that can be closer to the business or entity that you’re trying to represent. For example, if you’re a designer, you can register a domain name with the TLD of .design.

Here’s some information about the TLDs being used today.

Most Commonly Used TLDs

According to W3Techs, .com domains account for 45.8% of all known websites. We’ve aggregated the 10 most common TLDs for all websites in the chart below.

Sponsored TLD

Sponsored TLDs have a sponsor that represents a narrow community associated with that TLD. Some examples are .gov, .edu, and .mil, so unless you are a part of these organizations/communities, you won’t be using these.

Original TLD

These are some of the first TLDs created, and there are only 3 available for open use as of now: .com, .org, and .net. These are very common, and the majority of internet users know them.

If you are able to find the URL you want with one of these TLDs and it is affordable, it’s not a bad idea to buy it. It isn’t very unique, but consumers are comfortable with them and know, for the most part, they can be trusted.

Country/Geographic Code

There are 255 country code TLDs.  And yes, that is more than there are countries. Using a country code can be good for local SEO. If you wish to keep your business/website/focus tied to one specific country, a country code may be for you.

Some parameters may exist depending on the country code you would like to use, so be sure to check those out before starting the domain registration process.

Geographic TLDs can be more niche, using city names (.amsterdam) or full country names (.wales), or they can be broader, using a region such as .asia. This further increases the use of SEO and targets specific audiences.

ICANN-Era Generic TLD

The ICANN-era Generic TLD is all about what your company is or represents. With options such as .music, .video, .expert, even .mom, the possibilities are almost endless. There are only so many, but the variety is stunning. If you want to make an impression with your URL, this is the kind of TLD you want. People, in general, remember things that are out of the norm and want to know more about them.

While these types of TLDs may be more expensive in some cases, it is worth it to have a unique URL. These are good for businesses that want to show that they’ve kept up with the times and enjoy innovation and new technology. It’s also good for businesses that like to have fun and not be a part of the corporate world that a lot of the population seems to dislike.

When it comes down to your domain registration, in the end, you need what works, what you can afford, and what you feel comfortable with. As you can see each type of TLD has its benefits, and it is up to you to decide which of those benefits is what you are looking for.

Find the perfect domain with InMotion Hosting! Choose from any of the following TLDs for your next domain purchase: .com, .net, .org, .us, .biz, .info, .academy, .agency, .app, .best, .blog, .cash, .cloud, .design, .life, .online, .shop, .solutions, .store, .wiki, .world, and .xyz.

What Makes a Great Domain Name?

Several factors contribute to a truly great domain name:

  • The top-level domain. The TLD is the part of a URL that comes after the actual domain name, such as .com. A good TLD will help to identify your domain and let potential viewers know what to expect.
  • Spelling. NO MISTAKES! Before you click yes to purchase your domain, make sure there are no spelling errors. Of course, if your company name or the name you want is misspelled intentionally, that’s fine (but not recommended).
  • Memorability. How easy is your domain to remember? Is it short and right to the point, or does it drag on and include the full name of your business? Is it unique?
  • Remember that correctly spelled words are easier to remember. So, it’s important to get your domain spelling right! Limiting your domain to a maximum of three words also makes it easier to remember.

    Additionally, the flow of the domain name is a big part of being able to remember it. For example, Inmotionhosting.com is two words, reads easily, and it’s memorable. On the other hand, Inmotionwebanddomainhosting.com would be a lot to remember, has unnecessary information, and is too long.

    How unique is your domain? How does it look when compared to similar websites, and does it stand out?

    Being unique does have its limits, though, as you don’t want a domain name that is so unusual that people are confused by it. You’ll also want to consider the impact of a domain name on the “searchability” of the product you’re selling. Keeping in mind that search engines favour content that uses the product in the name. If that feels confusing to you, here are some quick tips for the search engine optimization or SEO of your domain name.

    SEO Considerations for Domain Names

    • Include keywords, but make it natural
    • Add geographic terms if you are a business serving a specific location
    • Remember that shorter is usually better
    • Don’t use numbers or hyphens too frequently (difficult to remember)

    If you need to research keywords for your brand/product, consider a tool like Keywords Everywhere that you can add as a Chrome extension.

    Why is a Great Domain Name Important?

    The difference between a great domain name and a not-so-great domain name can make or break your site. Here’s why:

  • Increased views. With technology ever-increasing the speed and ease of doing pretty much anything, internet users have to come to love “fast and easy.” When you have a domain that is easy to type and doesn’t take a long time to access, people will be inclined to go to your site. They might not know everything you offer, but they will be intrigued and want to learn more.
  • Credibility. Using a good TLD helps lend credibility and recognition to your website. Having a good, descriptive domain name helps to give the sense that if you go to the website, you will find credible and useful information.
  • Branding. Think of a website as your online body. It has all the important parts and information that you show to the world. If a website is your body, then a domain is your identity. It is what people know you by, and you don’t want an identity that misrepresents who you are. Before you complete your domain name registration, you want to be sure that what you are choosing best represents your company. This reinforces your brand, its memorability, and legitimacy.
  • What if Your Domain Name is Taken

    When you find out the .com version of your domain is not available, it’s very common for the domain registrar to recommend that you get the .net or .org domain. Our friends at WPBeginner recommend .com domains. “If you want to make any kind of business website, then you should always use a .com domain name extension. It gives your website a familiar address and makes your business look more professional and established.” If the .com extension isn’t available, we have included some creative tips to still get a .com domain for your business.

    Add Additional Words

    Say my ideal domain name is BelleviewDogFood.com. If it’s not available, let’s add additional words to it. Let’s try TheBellviewDogFood.com or BelleviewDogFoodCo.com. Look at additional words that mean the same thing and convey the same message. Try to keep your domain as short as possible.

    Add Action

    Adding an action word to a domain is so simple, and it may mean that your website stands out even more. Let’s go back to Belleview Dog Food for an example. We could add action by making it TryBelleviewDogFood.com or GetBelleviewDogFood.com. Depending on your domain, you should be able to add an action word that fits your domain. This also acts as a call to action for your website.

    Add Location to Your Domain

    This concept really works well if you have a physical location and can include either your city, state or street in your domain. If the company is located in Littleton, Colorado, maybe instead of Belleview, we could use ColoradoDogFood.com, LittletonDogFood.com, or LocalDogFood.com. This doesn’t keep your business name in the domain, but it is a creative option still allowing for a .com extension.

    Look for Similar Words

    Instead of focusing on a domain name that is specific to your business name, be creative and switch up your business name with words that mean the same thing. For our Belleview Dog Food example, it could be BelleviewWoofFood.com, BelleviewDoggieFood.com, or BelleviewDogDinner.com. These words mean the same thing and convey the same message, allowing you to use the .com extension while not being too far off from your business name.

    Make Up Your Own Word

    We all know of Google and Zillow; these are companies with names that were made up. A fun way to almost guarantee that you’ll be able to get a .com domain is to take your business name and make up a word. Try combining your business name to make a new word. Back to our Belleview Dog Food, we could come up with something like bellood.com, belldogfood.com, or viogfood.com. These are attempts at combining Belleview Dog Food to create a new word for a domain.

    5 Reasons to Transfer a Domain Name

    Your website is growing, traffic is increasing daily, you’re thinking about getting a new hosting plan, but what about a domain name transfer? Who you host your domain with is a vital part of the security of your website. We’re going to go over some reasons why a domain transfer should be your next move.

    Why Do You Need to Transfer

    All legitimate registrars are accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), so before you even think about transferring, make sure the new domain host is accredited.

    But let’s get down to the important part: why should you transfer your domain? We have five reasons why a domain transfer is beneficial to you and your website.

    1. Security

    One of the primary focal points of your website is security. You’re not going to be happy if customers start complaining that they can’t access your site or it is being directed to a different site. This may be the result of a domain name hacker. This type of hacker is holding your domain name ransom, usually for money. In order to combat this, make sure your new Registrar offers a domain name lock. This keeps the domain from being changed until you change it. Also, ensure that your new host will notify you of any changes to the domain, whether completed by you or otherwise.

    2. Customer Service

    If your website is growing, you will need access to support in many areas and your domain host is no exception. In addition to support during the domain name transfer, make sure your new domain host offers support after the fact. Some hosts don’t have a support team but just have a sales team that tries to get you to buy additional add-ons.

    3. User Experience

    How easy is it to access your domain name settings? If you get frustrated when trying to do a small task or change, imagine trying to do a big one. Making sure that any needed changes with your domain are easy to do. This not only saves you time and stress, but it will also benefit the visitors.

    4. Privacy

    This differs from security, as it pertains solely to you and your domain name. While all Registrars will say that your privacy is of utmost importance, this may not always be the case. Some don’t address all situations in their privacy agreement, so it is best to do as much research as possible. This includes searching their website, doing a Google search for privacy-related matters, and customer reviews. Customer reviews, although sometimes extreme, can help out in these cases. If there is a common theme in the reviews, chances are it’s true.

    Domain privacy for personal information and the WHOIS database

    The WHOIS database is a database of domain name holders and their contact information. While the database is intended to provide internet users with a means of contacting website owners, it can lead to unintended consequences. 

    For example, your email address could be obtained by actors with malicious intent, resulting in spam, phishing emails, and other email-related issues. Your name and contact information could also be used to imitate you and steal your identity, or be shared without your consent. Some website owners may not want to be identified due to competitor concerns. If your personal name and contact information are connected with every site you own, it’s very easy for competitors to have an overview of your business operations, potentially giving them an advantage. 

    For all these reasons, many website owners opt for a domain registrar that facilitates domain privacy, allowing them to list the registrar’s details in place of their own.

    5. Cost

    Paying too much is never a good thing. And, paying too much for a company that does too little is even worse. Not all Registrars are created equal, and neither is their pricing. When researching a new domain name host, you want to take into account all of the above and determine if that service is worth the cost. This will help you stay within your budget and get the best bang for your buck.

    When looking for a new domain name host, use the five reasons above as your checklist. This will help you determine if a domain name host is right for you.

    If you need a few more tips, consider this:

    • Initial registration fees are often run as part of a promotion to get users to sign up. This means they’re often discounted, and the price will increase at renewal. Ensure you check the full pricing plan, including the costs of renewal, before choosing a registrar.
    • Planning will pay off for both your domain and your budget. Instead of paying for just one year, sign up for a multi-year registration at a cheaper price. It also means you will secure your domain name for a longer period. 
    • Keep in mind that additional services, like privacy protection, may not be included in the initial domain registration price. Make sure you choose a registrar that is transparent about all pricing and services that are included with your registration.
    • Consider the total cost of domain name ownership, not only in the short term, but in the long term. Keep in mind that renewal fees may come with a price hike, additional services may not be included, and domain name transfers (should the need arise) may come with extra costs. Have an overview of all these factors before choosing your domain name registrar.

    Your Domain Name Transfer

    InMotion Hosting not only hosts domains but also has a great tool to ensure that, if needed, a domain name transfer is both easy and stress-free. Learn more about transferring your domain name to InMotion Hosting.

    Why You Should Register Your Domain with InMotion Hosting

    When deciding to go through the domain name registration process, you want to make sure that you are choosing a host that has your best interests in mind. This is why we recommend going with InMotion Hosting.

    Not only do we provide a fantastic service, but we’ve been hosting domains since 2001, so we know a thing or two. Let us show you why InMotion is the best option for you.

    Domain Privacy

    When deciding to register your domain, you must register your information with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN is the gatekeeper, so to speak, for the internet.

    Because all websites are assigned a specific IP address, your domain needs to be pointed to that address to function properly. ICANN ensures this happens. When registering a domain, you must provide information to ICANN such as name, address, email, and phone number.

    Why Use Domain Privacy Infographic

    InMotion Hosting offers Domain Privacy Protection, allowing you to use our information to register with ICANN instead of yours. This is beneficial for security and keeping your vital information out of the hands of somebody who doesn’t have the best intentions for you or your website.

    Hosting Options

    Not only do we offer domain name registration, but we also offer some of the best web hosting around. Every variety of plan is represented here as well, WordPress, Dedicated, Shared, Cloud, and so on.

    Syncing your domain name and web hosts is a smart idea for your website. With all the information in one place, you ensure faster speeds and faster responses to any issues that arise. Also, if you choose one of our qualifying hosting plans, you get a free domain or a free domain transfer. Please note that some exclusions may apply.

    Support

    Having somebody there to help you when you are in need is a great feeling. That’s why InMotion offers 24/7 support. You can chat online, email, or even Skype whenever you need. Phone support is available Monday-Friday from 9 am – 9 pm EST. We are just as invested in your website as you are and want it to perform the best it can. Not only do we offer 24/7 support, but we also have a large database of Do-It-Yourself information. No matter the issue, we will always be there to help you out.

    Domain Name Registration Extras

    This is where InMotion starts to stretch the lead. The amount of extras that we offer with our hosting plans, both domain and web, is above what any other host can offer. Here’s just a small list:

    • Web Builder. Sure, a lot of hosts offer web builders, but not like ours. We have decided to give our customers access to BoldGrid, a WordPress plugin that makes building a website a breeze. Check it out on our WordPress Website Builder page.
    • Free Transfer. If you end up wanting to bring your website over to us, we will transfer it for free. Our process ensures that your website will not suffer downtime as well.
    • Free Setup. When registering a domain, the setup is easy, and better yet, free.
    • Automatic Renewal. There is nothing worse than your domain expiring, and somebody else grabbing it before you can. You don’t have to worry about that with InMotion. We will automatically renew your domain for you unless you tell us otherwise. When you have less to worry about, you have more you can do.

    Domain name registration doesn’t have to be hard, complicated, or stressful. That’s why our domain and web hosting plans offer so much. We want your experience to be as pleasant as it can be, and we will do all we can to ensure that it is.

    What to Do After You’ve Registered Your Domain

    Purchasing a domain name is the first step towards getting your business online. But once you’ve come up with the perfect moniker for your new website, what’s next?

    A lot, as it turns out. Choosing a domain name is just the beginning of creating an online presence. Keep reading to learn the next steps.

    DNS Propagation

    Keep in mind that it will take some time for the domain to either register or change, this is called DNS propagation. It can take anywhere between 24 and 72 hours for your changes to take effect. During this time, you may see that your website is accessible in some locations but not others.

    Sync Your Domain and Web Hosting

    If you want to get your website up and running, you’ll need to connect it with a web hosting account. Web hosting comes in a variety of forms, like shared hosting, WordPress hosting, and dedicated servers, so it’s important to really understand your business needs before deciding.

    For example, if you anticipate having a fairly simple website with low traffic volumes, a shared server will likely do. But if you run a high-volume retail establishment, and you expect those numbers to carry over online, you’ll need something a little more robust.

    Once you’ve decided on a hosting service and purchased a plan, you’ll have to change your domain’s nameservers to your hosting company’s specified nameservers. Though it sounds complicated, it’s quite easy:

    • Log in to your domain name registrar and locate your nameservers
    • Copy and paste the nameservers provided by your host into the box where your existing nameservers are located. If you’re using InMotion Hosting, our nameservers are: ns1.inmotionhosting.com and ns2.inmotionhosting.com. (Note: These nameservers are not valid for all accounts. Talk with your host’s technical support team if you require further assistance.)
    • Voila! Your accounts are linked. It can take up to 12-24 hours for this change to propagate.

    For more information on changing your nameservers in an InMotion Hosting account, please see our tutorial How to Change Your Domain’s Nameservers.

    Depending on what company you purchased your domain from, you may be able to get hosting from the same source, and typically, they will handle the process of linking things up for you.

    Create a Website

    Once you have a domain name and a hosting service, you can get started on creating your website. When it comes down to it, there are two options: hire a website designer to do it for you or tackle the project yourself.

    Hiring a website designer will cost a bit more, but requires less of your time. In most cases, you will have to provide the designer with your concept, content (images, logos, blogs, etc.), and business information and they will do the rest.

    Creating your website may sound daunting, but it’s just a matter of investing a little time and effort. Website creation tools like WordPress Website Builder make the process super easy, even if you don’t have any coding experience. Here are some great reasons the Website Builder is a great tool for building your site:

    • A simple wizard walks you through the entire process of creating your website, complete with theme, content, and plugins.
    • The included content was written by people in your industry, so the lingo is appropriate.
    • Your website and all of its pages can be worked on in a staging area so you can see how it will look before going live.
    • You can preview your content on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone before publishing and edit for each environment separately if you want to.
    • Because it’s part of WordPress, there is a HUGE community of support.

    Securing Your Domain with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

    • Secures the data sent from your website to browsers and between servers.
    • Increases trust of site visitors.
    • Increases your ranking in search engine results.

    Other Things You Can Do

    Now that you’ve gotten your website up and running, what else can you do with your domain name?

    Create a Domain-Specific Email Address

    If you’re using your website for business, then you’ll want an email that matches your new domain name. Chances are, your hosting company will provide at least one free email address to go along with your website, so check with them before signing up for any other services.

    Secure Matching Social Media Handles

    If you plan on being active on social media, ideally, your profile names will match your website name. It will not only make it easier for clients and prospects to find you, but it will also create a stronger brand identity.

    Get Business Cards

    Even if you mostly do business online, you’ll want to have cards to hand out when you meet someone face-to-face. Make sure you get a fresh set printed with your new domain name on them so people know where to locate you online.

    What Happens if You Don’t Want Your Domain Name Anymore?

    Suffering a little buyer’s remorse? It happens. Sometimes inspiration strikes, and you make decisions without really thinking about it.

    If that happened with your domain name and what seemed great three days ago no longer sounds so hot, it’s not difficult to fix. There are several aftermarket sites where you can sell your no-longer-needed domain name, and they usually only charge a small percentage of the sale.

    Domain Management Best Practices

    Once you have set up and registered your domain, ensure a management plan is in place to maintain it. This includes:

    Domain Authority (DA) Checks 

    Monitor how the authority of your domain is increasing (keep in mind this can take some time). Regularly checking this can help you detect when there’s a problem (if you notice it’s not moving in the right direction, a change may be needed).

    Security 

    Limit the number of users who can access your domain name interface and ensure each of those users has a very secure login (such as two-factor authentication).

    Don’t Allow Expiration

    Note down all the expiry dates related to your domain name. This includes the domain name itself, but also features such as SSL certificates and other services or add-ons. Set reminders in your calendar well in advance of these expiry dates so that you have enough time to reassess if needed and take the necessary actions.

    Check The WHOIS Database

    Set reminders to check in on the details of your domain and the WHOIS database. If you have changed contact details, for example, these should be updated so that you don’t miss any important updates or notices.

    New Tools or Updates 

    By regularly checking your domain status and registrar instead of ‘setting and forgetting’, you will also stay abreast of the latest tools and updates, which may be beneficial for your business.

    Choosing a domain name is a fun and exciting process, and it opens up a lot of doors in the online world. The registration process is easy, and you can provide many benefits for your online presence, including email and social media, with your domain name. Register your domain today with InMotion and jump-start your online business with a great website!

    To learn more about hosting a site with InMotion, check out our web hosting options and services on our homepage!



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