Domain management
www.yourbusinessname.co.nz
The very first step towards an online presence is a domain name.
A domain name is what you type into the address bar of your browser to go to a website, for example, www.simplicitywebdesign.co.nz. Behind the scenes, the DNS records tell your browser where to look on the internet to find that website, i.e. the IP address of the server where it resides.
Domains are purchased from domain registrars and like number plates, each one is unique, so you may find your first choice is already taken.
I can help you choose an appropriate domain name from what is available, purchase it on your behalf and manage the DNS records going forward.
When you purchase a domain, the extension matters. In New Zealand, your clients will expect you to have .co.nz so try and keep away from the most recently released ‘fashionable’ ones like .kiwi as you’ll have to work harder to get your clients to your site.
If you have any questions, regarding domain names, please feel free to contact me and ask away, I’m always happy to help, even if you aren’t a client.
There are several things you should consider when deciding on a domain name for your business;
- Does it contain your business name?
- In terms of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), this is certainly a bonus and also makes it a lot easier for your clients to guess if they don’t already know it.
- Can it be easily misspelt?
- If your business has a name that is easily misspelt, it may be worth buying a domain for each spelling. Using the DNS records, I can then make sure all variations end up on your website.
- Does a competitor have a similar name?
- If you are still choosing a business name, try to keep away from one where a domain would be very close to a direct competitor. For example, Canterbury Irrigation and Irrigation Canterbury are likely to have very similar domain names and you could end up with your clients landing on your competitor’s website!
- Is it easy to remember?
- Your business name as a domain may be available but if it’s too long, it’s not worth getting for anything other than redirecting to your actual domain. For example, www.frizzellagriculturalelectronics.co.nz is not easy to type without a mistake, but www.frizzell.co.nz works perfectly.