So you’ve decided you want a website, but don’t know where to start? Well, the first step is purchasing a domain name. A domain name is a unique text address that points to your website. Take ours, for example. When you type sevenagesdesign.com, it takes you to the home page for Seven Ages Design (that’s us, for the record). Neat trick, huh?
So you’ve decided you want a website, but don’t know where to start? Well, the first step is purchasing a domain name. A domain name is a unique text address that points to your website. Take ours, for example. When you type sevenagesdesign.com, it takes you to the home page for Seven Ages Design (that’s us, for the record). Neat trick, huh?
Deciding on a domain name
Deciding on a domain name
The first step in getting your own domain name is figuring out how you want to be identified. If you’re purchasing for a company, chances are you’re going to want to use the company’s name. The Acme Corporation, for example, could be acmecorp.com (already registered, and no, they don’t sell anvils). If you’re purchasing for yourself, however, you’ll want the name to be your name, or maybe something about you.
Another thing to keep in mind is the kind of personality you want to portray on your site. If you plan to write more playfully, choose a name that reflects that. If you’re going to write something serious (i.e. a product review blog), choose a name that’s simple and to the point. Once you’ve got that figured out, hop over to the next step.
The first step in getting your own domain name is figuring out how you want to be identified. If you’re purchasing for a company, chances are you’re going to want to use the company’s name. The Acme Corporation, for example, could be acmecorp.com (already registered, and no, they don’t sell anvils). If you’re purchasing for yourself, however, you’ll want the name to be your name, or maybe something about you.
Another thing to keep in mind is the kind of personality you want to portray on your site. If you plan to write more playfully, choose a name that reflects that. If you’re going to write something serious (i.e. a product review blog), choose a name that’s simple and to the point. Once you’ve got that figured out, hop over to the next step.
Checking availability
Checking availability
Now that you’ve decided what you want your domain name to be, you’ll have to make sure it’s available. Since domains are unique, you can’t buy one that somebody is using. The fastest way to check if a domain name is available is to go to a registrar’s website. Some of the places you can check and buy domains are:
If the domain name you want isn’t available, you’ll have to come up with a different name. This can be a brand new name, or you can rearrange the words in it.
Now that you’ve decided what you want your domain name to be, you’ll have to make sure it’s available. Since domains are unique, you can’t buy one that somebody is using. The fastest way to check if a domain name is available is to go to a registrar’s website. Some of the places you can check and buy domains are:
If the domain name you want isn’t available, you’ll have to come up with a different name. This can be a brand new name, or you can rearrange the words in it.
Making your purchase
Making your purchase
If your chosen name is available, you can go ahead and continue on your purchase! Every registrar listed above has a slightly different set of steps to go through, so I won’t go over them individually. In general, though, buying a domain name is as simple as adding it to your cart, clicking through the checkout process, and making your payment! What you do with your domain name is up to you, but I’d recommend buying a hosting package and getting a web developer to build your site for your.
If your chosen name is available, you can go ahead and continue on your purchase! Every registrar listed above has a slightly different set of steps to go through, so I won’t go over them individually. In general, though, buying a domain name is as simple as adding it to your cart, clicking through the checkout process, and making your payment! What you do with your domain name is up to you, but I’d recommend buying a hosting package and getting a web developer to build your site for your.