What Is a Domain?
In the internet-world-of-things with its endless tech-talk, it is easy to get overwhelmed. One word which often contributes to this feeling is the word domain; as in "Please enter your domain;" or "We need to connect your domain."
A domain, short for a domain name, is your website name - e.g., lavilowebdesign.com - and represents the address under which internet users can reach your website. The address is split by a period into sections, so-called labels. Your browser reads each label starting from the right.
The first label from the right, the top-level domain, contains the letters com - you also often see org, net, gov, and more.
The second label is called a second-level domain, e.g., lavilowebdesign. It consists of a combination of letters and numbers and is used together with, com, org or net.
Each domain name is unique. There are no two websites with the same domain name. To ensure that it stays this way, you have to register your domain with a registrar, such as Google Domains or GoDaddy.
How to Register Your Domain Name
The process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.
Specify the second-level domain first, e.g., digitallyexplained;
Pick your extension from a list of available top-level domains, com, org, net, and others;
Provide the registrar with your name and address - no worries you can hide this information from the public;
Pay the registration fee.
Turn on auto-renewal to prevent losing your domain name if you accidentally forget to pay the renewal fee.
That's it. You have your domain name.
Why It Is a Good Idea to Invest in Your Own Domain Name
As a business owner, you have probably spent considerable time and effort to create your brand. Wouldn't it be beneficial if your brand extended to the internet as well? What about email? You can use your domain name also for your client emails and replace the Gmail-extension.
Whether you think about an online store or a website with your company's information, I always advise my clients to register a domain name. It builds credibility with your customers, increases brand awareness, helps with search engine rankings, and makes your business look more professional.
