Small Business Questions About Building an Online Presence Avg. read time 3 mins
Are you a small business owner with questions about getting online? We answer five common questions about building an online presence An online presence is where your business can be found on the internet and can include a website, social media page, and/or online marketplace. Pairing any part of your online presence with a domain name can help open up possibilities by helping customers easily find your “home base” when doing business online. along with some helpful tips to get the most out of a .com domain name.
1. What are the Different Ways I Can Use a Domain Name?
In addition to using a domain name for your website, there are a number of different ways you can make the most of a .com domain name, like domain name forwarding.
By forwarding a domain name to your e-commerce shop or marketplace, you can create a personalized way for customers to find your business or online store. You can also use a domain name as a custom email address, which could help lend professionalism to your business.
What is Domain Name Forwarding?
Domain name forwarding (also called Web forwarding or redirecting) is just like forwarding mail when you move - you simply create a rule that all visitors to a domain name should be directed to the web address of your choice. For example, you can use a domain name to direct customers to your social media page until you're ready to build a business website. Then you can use a .com domain name for your website to seamlessly help your customers find you at the new online location.
2. Is Registering a Domain Name Complicated?
Registering a domain name is easy, and only takes a few steps. Plus, a domain name can be key when marketing and supporting a central online presence for your business.
The process for registering a domain name may vary depending on the retailer you choose and the options you select. In general, you just need to communicate your desired .com domain name and the number of years you would like to register the domain name to the retailer along with your contact address and payment details.
If the domain name is available, they can help you complete the registration process and may also offer you additional related services, such as custom email or website building and hosting. Once registered, you can start using the .com domain name for your website, to point to an existing online presence, or to create a business email address.
3. Is a Social Media Presence Enough When Getting Online?
While it's true that many businesses rely on a “social-first” approach to selling products and services, pairing your social media with a .com domain name and website may help you boost awareness of your business by creating a personalized and memorable web address to find your business online.
If you're not ready for a website yet, consider forwarding a custom .com domain name to your social media web address. Unlike your web address on a social media platform, a .com domain name can be customized to your business, idea, or passion project. Let's say you operate a retail jewelry business - instead of customers needing to recognize your online presence as “yoursocialmediaacount.com/page/marysnecklaces,” you could simply register the domain name “MarysNecklaces.com” and forward it to your social media account. A domain name can be easier to remember, and you can use it for your website when you are ready.
4. How Can I Research and Brainstorm Domain Names?
Whether you already have ideas for a domain name or could use some help brainstorming, a domain name suggestion tool can make it easy to research your options.
Tools like NameStudio® allow you to brainstorm similar or new domain name options by typing your business name, idea, or keywords into the search bar. You can then access a variety of helpful features and information, including:
- If your suggested domain name is available to register
- Similar available domain names
- The ability to filter domain name suggestions to a certain character count
If you're ready to start researching options for a new .com domain name today, click here and type in your business name or keywords to get started.
5. Do I Need Technical Skills to Build a Website?
You don't need to be a "techie" to build your own website.
There are a variety of tools that can help make building a website with a .com domain name easy. Many website builders and domain name retailers can help you to create a polished, professional-looking website with their drag and drop templates. Some providers may even offer e-commerce functionality, allowing you to design and manage your own online shop. If you need additional assistance, certain providers offer premium plans that include a range of support options.
Getting online with a website and .com domain name could be a quick and easy way to take your product or service to the next level. Whether it’s developing your brand, expanding your reach, or building new customer relationships, now is the perfect time to get online.
