Domain Names: What You Need to Know

When creating a website, two of the basics you’ll come across are your domain name and web hosting. Your domain name is the address people use to find your website online, while web hosting is the service that stores your website and makes it accessible on the internet.

Choosing the right domain name can take a little thought. Ideally, it should be easy to remember, simple to type and closely connected to your business or brand. For businesses primarily serving customers in Ireland, a .ie domain can be a useful way to signal your Irish presence, while .com can work particularly well for businesses with a broader or international audience. The best choice ultimately depends on your business, your customers and where you plan to operate.

Can my domain name be anything?

Not quite. Your domain name needs to be available to register, and some domain extensions have their own eligibility or registration requirements.

When choosing a name, aim for something that’s short, memorable and easy to spell. Your business or brand name is often the most natural choice. Avoid unnecessary numbers, hyphens or unusual spellings that could make the address harder for people to remember or type.

You don’t need to add keywords to your domain name for SEO. A clear, recognisable domain that represents your brand is generally more useful than trying to squeeze search terms into the address.

So, I've chosen my domain name. Where do I get it from?

Once you’ve chosen your domain name, you’ll need to register it through a domain registrar. You can also register a domain through some website platforms or hosting providers, depending on how your website is being built.

Before choosing where to register your domain, compare the renewal price as well as the introductory price. Some providers offer a discounted price for the first year, so it’s worth knowing what your domain will cost to renew in the future. You should also consider things like customer support, DNS management and how easy it will be to manage your domain.

One important tip: make sure your domain is registered in an account you own and can access. If a designer, developer or another third party sets it up for you, you should still know where the domain is registered and have access to the account. Your domain is an important business asset, so you don't want to lose control of it if you change suppliers in the future.

It’s also important to check that the domain you want is actually available before making plans around it. If your first choice has already been registered, consider a simple variation or a different domain extension rather than making the name unnecessarily complicated.

Ready to get started?

Choosing the right domain name is just one part of planning a website. If you're still at the early stages, you might also find my guide on What to Prepare Before Hiring a Web Designer useful before you get started.