Why you need a personal domain name

It feels good to have something that’s all yours.

You may remember climbing behind the wheel of your first car, or getting the keys to your first apartment and the independence you felt.

But what about the online world? How easy is it to carve out your own space on the web?

A personal domain name is the first step to a digital playground that’s all yours. Think of it as the starting point for creating, building, and owning your own piece of Internet pie.

Let’s get into it.

What is a personal domain name?

A personal domain is a domain name that uses your first and last name followed by a top-level domain (TLD) such as .com, .net, and .me. For example, my name is Colleen Branch, and my personal domain could be colleenbranch.com. 

A powerful and valuable digital asset, your personal domain name represents you both online and helps build your identity in the real world. 

5 compelling reasons to register a personal domain

There are plenty of benefits to using your name as a domain. You can use it to:

1. Create a personal brand

If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or looking for a job and want to put your resume online, a personal domain name can help you build a unique and strong online presence. It’s a way of differentiating yourself and an opportunity to create an online identity.

2. Convey professionalism and credibility

A personal domain can help you appear professional. First impressions count, and if the first time someone discovers you is through your website, it’s a chance to be seen in a positive light. These days, employers and clients often search candidates, and a personal website with the address yourname.com listing your skills and experience is bound to impress.

3. Control your online presence

Unlike social media profiles, which limit what you can do, a personal domain offers flexibility and greater control. Your personalized website can be tailored to your desires, with any design you choose and any content you want to show. 

Let’s take the example of colleenbranch.com again. Owning a personal domain makes it easy to create a custom email address, like contact@colleenbranch.com or finance@colleenbranch.com. This can help reinforce your personal brand, establish trust and credibility, and look professional. 

4. Protect your personal identity

Protecting your personal identity and online reputation is important. Securing a personal domain can help prevent risks like cybersquatting and misrepresentation.

Cybersquatting is when someone registers a domain name that resembles your name with the intention of exploiting it. They could sell it and make a profit, or use the domain to create a website that misrepresents you or your brand. This could lead to reputation damage and confusion. 

5. Boost your search engine optimization (SEO)

You may already understand the importance of a domain name in SEO. Keywords in your domain name can help signal to search engines what your site is about, and a memorable domain name makes it easier for users to remember and revisit, which increases direct traffic and the likelihood of backlinks from other websites, which are crucial for SEO.

Personal website names can help with search engine rankings, too. If you’re well-known in your industry, a domain that matches your name can increase trust — which leads to higher click-through rates. The content you display on your website will be unique to you and authoritative, which search engines favor. 

High-profile personal domains

Let’s look at some personal website name examples. 

• Taylor Swift — the singer/songwriter’s personal domain name, taylorswift.com, includes tour dates, merchandise, directed projects, and a sign-up form to capture details from fans.
• Reshma Saujani — activist, author, and founder of Girls Who Code Saujani uses reshmasaujani.com to showcase books, advocacy efforts, and press mentions.
• Roger Federer —  tennis legend Federer owns rogerfederer.com, which includes details of his career, merchandise and partnerships, and information about his education foundation.
• Vivienne Westwood — British fashion designer Westwood displays her collections and devotes a section to sustainability using viviennewestwood.com. 

If you’re a well-known public figure or want to become one, a personal domain name is crucial to your campaign. It’s easy to control the narrative with one central website. 

They’re not just for professionals

A personal domain isn’t just for individuals looking to further their career or profile. Here are some more ways you can use one:

• Travel blog  – update your family friends regularly with posts and pictures of your adventures around the world. Share tips with fellow travelers looking to stay in the same locations.
• Family — collect photos, display your family tree, and share important family information. Keep your memories in one place, forever. 
• Weddings — reveal venue information, food menus, local hotel options, and create a photo gallery of the big day. You’ll be able to look back on the Big Day whenever you want.
• Hobbies — showcase your knitting creations, still life watercolors, and sports jersey collections. Whatever you’re into, why not share it with the world?

The possibilities are endless, so don’t feel that you have to be a professional to get a personal domain.

How to choose a top-level domain (TLD) 

The top-level domain (TLD) extension can instantly tell the world what you’re about. If you’re choosing a personal domain name, it’s imperative you choose the right fit.

While the .com is always a solid choice, it might be that a newer extension might be more fitting. You have the option to choose a TLD that summarises:

• Who you are or what you do — .ceo, .tech, .realty, .charity, .expert
• Where you are — .us, .miami, .nyc, .cymru, .uk
• Your passion — .tennis, .wine, .clothing, .games, .soccer

There are hundreds of TLDs to choose from. It all depends on the message you want to convey. Perhaps you want to highlight your connection with the city of .london or instantly communicate that you’re a working .actor. 

Take time to choose a TLD to accompany your name. Then, speak to friends and family to see if they agree with your choices. 

How do you register a personal domain name?

Just like any other type of domain name, registering is simple.

1. Choose a domain name — try to keep it simple and short. If it’s a personal domain name using your first and last name, that should be covered.
2. Check if it’s available — head to our domain name search and type your chosen domain name to see if it’s free.
3. Register your domain name — if it’s available, choose how long you want to register it for, and it’s yours.

Future-proofing your online presence

As Web 3.0 evolves into a decentralized environment with personal data control and ownership, the importance and value of domain names are likely to increase significantly.

In this new era, domain names might function similarly to phone numbers, providing direct access to your services and acting as gateways to your apps and platforms.

Choosing an adaptable and continuously evolving platform is crucial for protecting your digital assets now and in the future. 

The Spaceship Roadmap is a place where you can see our future. It’s where our customers can see what we’re building — and request the features they want to see. When it comes to registering your domain, make sure you choose a provider that not only meets your current needs but is also committed to innovation. This way, you can embrace the future with confidence, knowing your online presence is built on a foundation designed to adapt and thrive in the face of technological change.