Tips for Registering Your First Domain Name

Everything starts with a name. It defines your business. Registering a domain name is an important step for any new company.

If you need help deciding on a domain name, start with our Tips for Picking the Best Domain Name for Your Business (Part 1). In that article, we explain what a domain name is and how to chose the right one for your business.

When you are ready to get your domain name, there are important considerations when registering the name. These are 5 tips for registering the domain name successfully.

An ICANN accredited registrar is an absolute requirement when purchasing a domain. Do not register your name with a shady domain registrar that is not accredited. ICANN is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. They are the non-profit organization that manages the domain name and IP addressing systems for the Internet. We work with domain.com and they are an ICANN accredited registrar.
The cheapest domain registrar is not always the best choice. Don’t be fooled by low prices. Often what seems to be the lowest price initially is not always the cheapest once you have completed the registration. Some registrars offer promotional pricing at an extremely low cost, but then hide lots of fees, lock you in, and charge high renewal rates after the first year. The low-price registrars often charge more for items such as privacy protection, SSL certifications, renewals, and transfers.
When you register a domain name, your information such as home or office address, telephone number, and email address will be public unless you choose to protect your privacy. This is usually an extra charge when you register a domain name. We recommend purchasing the privacy protection right away to hide your personal information. Otherwise, you will be on the receiving end of a lot of unwanted marketing including unscrupulous attempts to trick you into paying to transfer your domain name to another registrar.
Make sure the registrar includes domain locking also known as transfer protection at no cost or as part of the additional privacy protection. This feature protects your domain from unscrupulous domain registrars and other scammers. If a domain lock is in place, you must explicitly request that the name be "unlocked" before any changes or transfers can be made.
You do not need to, nor do we recommend purchasing any email services or web hosting when you register the domain name. There are usually better providers for these services like Microsoft 365 for email, as an example. Grab your name before it is taken and then decide on these services later after you have consulted with a web designer.

When you are ready to register your domain name, visit domain.com, to purchase the right name for your business and brand. Domain.com is an accredited registrar. In the spirit of full disclosure, we get paid a referral commission when you register a domain through the links on our site. It doesn't cost you anything extra.

If all this information about domain names seems complicated, do not worry, we can help. Email us at hello@oviedonetworks.com to ask about our services to get your business online quickly and successfully.

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