Website Basics: Understanding Domain Names

When building a website, two crucial things that you need are a domain name and web hosting. A domain name is the address that directs people to your website, while web hosting is the service that makes your website accessible online.

Choosing a domain name can be tricky, but it's important to select something that is easy to remember and that relates to your brand or business. In Ireland, the most common domain extension is .ie. However, to get a .ie domain, you must meet certain criteria set by the Irish Domain Registry. If you can't get a .ie domain, you can still go for something like .com or .org. But keep in mind that a .ie domain can give your website more credibility with Irish customers.

Can my domain name be anything?

In short, yes!, your domain name can be anything you want! However, when you're picking a domain name, there are a few important things to remember. First off, you want a name that's easy to remember and relates to your brand or business. Stay away from using special characters or numbers, which can make your domain name harder to remember and type correctly. A shorter domain name is better, and it's smart to include your business name or a target SEO keyword. The right domain name can really help your website's SEO and improve your ranking in Google search results.

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

Once you've decided on the perfect domain name for your website, you'll need to purchase it from a domain registrar. There are many different registrars out there, but some popular options for Irish clients include Blacknight, LetsHost, and Register365. You can also purchase a .com domain name through website builders like Shopify or Squarespace, or through web hosting providers like Bluehost or SiteGround. When choosing a registrar, it's important to consider factors such as pricing, customer support, and the ease of use of their platform. Once you've purchased your domain name, you'll be ready to move on to the next step of building your website!

However, just because you picked a domain name doesn't mean it's automatically available for you to register. You can check if your desired domain name is available using a domain checker tool like this one.

If you have questions I’d be happy to answer them and if you need a website for your business get in touch