Your domain is the centerpiece of your online life. Beyond serving as the address for your website, it’s an essential piece of branding that will become intrinsically tied to your digital identity. So, if you’re thinking about launching online, getting a domain is not just one of the first things you should do — it’s the first thing you should do. Everything else, including website building, is secondary.
This is particularly true if you’re using an all-in-one platform like Spaceship. As you’ll see, your domain is the central component tying everything together, making the whole experience of getting online as seamless as possible. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of registering a domain name before anything else, and what to do after buying a domain.
The importance of choosing the right domain
If you’ve ever wondered what you can do with a domain name, the answer is a lot! Your domain name is the core of your online world. Ideally, you’ll use the same name across different communication platforms to create a sense of continuity, for instance, on email and social media, so people will come to associate it with you.
That’s why it’s essential not to be too hasty when picking a domain. After you buy a domain name, it will shape your online identity for years to come, so you don’t want to be stuck with one that doesn’t reflect you or your brand’s core values.
Choosing the right TLD
A memorable top-level domain (TLD) can also help with effectively communicating your brand. TLDs like .com, .org, and .net pinpoint you as a professional business, whereas options like .io and .ai will help distinguish you as a forward-thinking tech company. With a growing number of unique options on the market, you have the opportunity to personalize your domain name and make it stand out from the crowd.
Into the future
Beyond reflecting your digital identity, domain names are on the path to becoming your digital passport on the ever-evolving Internet. What happens after Web 2.0 is still up for debate, but it seems like Web 3.0 is set to become more decentralized than earlier iterations. Particularly if traditional apps and websites as we know them become obsolete. As a result, domains are more than just a stepping stone on the way to building a sleek website. They’re a way to stake your claim in the future of the Internet.
For now, though, websites are a central component of getting set up online, so let’s dive into how registering your domain beforehand can simplify the process.
Get hosting and the products you need
If you’ve ever thought, “I bought a domain, now what?”, the next most important thing to do is choosing a provider that simplifies launching your online project. That means choosing a platform where not only everything you need is in one place but one that caters to your particular needs.
For instance, if you want to get online fast, being offered recommended product bundles will speed up your launch significantly. On the other hand, if you’re someone who needs full control, you should also have the option to customize everything to your preferences, while being able to upgrade or downgrade your products as your website evolves without any fuss.
The essentials you should be looking for in a provider include:
- Hosting: To ensure your site gets online and stays online, your hosting server should be fast, stable, and secure.
- Email: A professional email that matches your domain is a must for shaping your online identity.
- Domain management tools: A good provider will give you everything you need to oversee your domain portfolio and DNS settings.
- Robust security as standard: Cyber attacks are a constant concern for anyone online, so a platform that takes security seriously is a must.
Create your website
As we mentioned earlier, websites might not always remain the be-all and end-all of your digital presence if the web becomes decentralized down the line, but for now, it’s a good idea to have one. Once you have a website domain and have connected it to hosting, email, and more, the best way to create a website is with a content management system (CMS). So, you’ll also want to ensure your provider offers seamless integration with popular options such as WordPress.
The great thing about CMS is the level of control you’re granted compared to most website builders. With WordPress, for instance, you can get online quickly and easily by choosing a theme that suits your styles and preferences and filling it in with your content. You also have the option to code everything from scratch if that’s more your wheelhouse. Whatever the case may be, you’ll never locked into your chosen website type, and you’ll be able to customize and scale up or down at any point down the road.
Picking the right platform
Your domain may stay the same for years to come, but technology is continually changing. So you must pick a platform that provides continual guidance and support after buying a domain name. It should not only have the products and features we mentioned previously, but it should also evolve and adapt alongside the needs and wants of its customers. Spaceship fits the bill perfectly. The Spaceship platform has everything you need to get online and a way to do it swiftly and easily. Our patented Unbox™ technology takes the complication out of launching online projects while giving you full control, letting you select all the products you need, and connecting and configuring them in moments. Find the perfect domain and start your Spaceship journey today.
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