Alright, friends, gather ’round the digital campfire. I will give you some hard-learned lessons about securing your perfect domain name. Trust me, I’ve been burned before!
[domain name]
is a unique and human-readable address used to access websites on the internet. It serves as the destination that you type into a web browser to visit a specific website.
Here are some key points about domain names:
Choosing the Right Domain
When you’re starting a new website, getting the right domain is key. You want it short, catchy, and relevant to your biz. It’s like picking the perfect band name before hitting the big stage!
My first attempt in the MySpace era was Wintersexpress.com – uh, don’t ask. I gave GoDaddy way too much of my allowance that year.
These days, I keep it simple – my go-to places where you can buy a domain (also known as “registrars”) are NameCheap or local providers based on the country domain I need.
Local domain name like .sg, .ca, .us
When picking your dot com, don’t forget your localized options too! For Singapore, extensions like .sg and .com.sg signal your business is local. Using Singapore registrars like Exabytes or Vodien helps secure the ideal .sg domain.
For #Canada, go with .ca. In the #USA, choose .us. Localized domains boost your visibility and search rankings in your country. You must add proof of residence or business registration to complete the process.
Tip: Skip those trendy new domain extensions they try to upsell you! I got roped into buying matching .rocks domains once for a client’s landscaping biz. It was a total pebble in my shoes when renewal fees skyrocketed to 10 times the price. Not so rock solid after all!
Securing Your Domain
Once you’ve picked your perfect dot-com or dot-net domain, it’s time to lock it down security-wise. Set up strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. You don’t want some sneaky hacker swooping in to steal it!
GoDaddy Domain Search: A Practical Example
GoDaddy is one of the most popular domain registrars and for a good reason. It offers many services beyond domain registration, like hosting, email, and more. Its domain search feature is pretty straightforward. Here’s how you can use it:
- Visit GoDaddy’s Website: Head to GoDaddy’s homepage, and you’ll find a search box at the top.
- Search for Your Domain: Type in your desired domain name and hit ‘Search Domain.’ GoDaddy will instantly tell you if your domain is available. If it isn’t, they’ll provide you with some similar alternatives.
- Choose Your Domain: Add it to your cart once you find a domain you like. Remember to keep it short, catchy, and relevant to your business.
- Checkout: Follow the prompts to check out and register your domain.
While GoDaddy is a great choice for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, other options exist. NameCheap or local providers can be great alternatives based on the country domain you need.
Working with Cloudflare
Here comes the technical but important part – pointing your domain to Cloudflare. When you add your domain to your Cloudflare account, they’ll provide some name server (NS) records. These are like addresses that tell your part where to send people. They usually have a format like julio.ns.cloudflare.com.
Take careful note of these NS records! You must return to your registrar’s control panel and update the name servers to match Cloudflare’s. This step connects your domain to their global network. The changes can take 24-48 hours to “propagate” (spread through the internet), so I’d recommend verifying with a DNS lookup tool first.
Once your domain is pointed to Cloudflare, you’ve laid the foundation and can move on to the fun stuff – setting up security rules, SSL encryption, and more through Cloudflare’s dashboard.
But don’t wait until you’re singing the domain name blues to safeguard your online home. Take it from me: Those regretful domain purchases will haunt you!
I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions about avoiding domain disasters as a bright-eyed website builder. Comment below, and let’s learn together! And if you found this post helpful, remember to share it with your friends.
step-by-step guide:
How to Change Name Servers on GoDaddy Go to GoDaddy.com: Visit the GoDaddy homepage.
- Access your account: Click on the user icon in the top right corner and log in to your account.
- Navigate to your domains: Hover over your username at the top right and click on 'My Products'. Under 'Domains', you'll see a list of all your registered domains.
- Select your domain: Click on the domain you want to manage.
- Manage DNS settings: On the domain management page, scroll down to the 'Additional Settings' section and click 'Manage DNS'.
- Change Name Servers: Scroll down to the 'Nameservers' section and click the 'Change' button.
- Enter New Name Servers: In the modal that pops up, click on 'Enter my own nameservers (advanced)'. Enter the nameservers provided by Cloudflare (e.g., name1.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM and name2.NS.CLOUDFLARE.COM) in the provided fields.
- Save Changes: Click the 'Save' button to apply your changes. Please note that DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.
And there you have it! You’ve now successfully changed your nameservers on GoDaddy to point to Cloudflare.
Hopefully, this demystifies the domain registration process for your fellow website newbies!
The key takeaways are to choose a short, memorable domain with your core keywords, secure it with strong credentials, and point it to a CDN like Cloudflare for performance and security.
If you have any other questions on securing the perfect domain or optimizing your online presence, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team of digital marketing experts at Rezult is always happy to help get your website off the ground. Let us know how we can partner with you to kickstart your success online.
