Do’s and Don’ts of Domain Registration
Domain registrations come with an expiration date and should therefore not be yours for eternity. They expire, and this causes their names being lost if not renewed beforehand. Some domain registrars, on the other hand offer automated renewal, thus helping clients renew before the names lapse due to expiration.
If you don’t want to use auto-renewal, then remind yourself months ahead of time. Some registrars also give a grace period after it expires, but renew before that date so that there is no chance of losing your domain.
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Don’t Use Complex or Difficult Names
Avoid registering domain names that are hard to spell or remember. Complicated words, long names, or combinations of numbers and hyphens confuse your audience and make it hard for them to find your site. For instance, “1st-best-bakers-in-town.com” is needlessly long and confusing; “bestbakers.com” is simple and memorable.
Keep your domain short, sweet, and easy to spell to enhance user experience and reduce the likelihood of an error in typing the address.
Don’t Choose Free Domains Alone
Some website builders or hosting services offer free subdomains (e.g., yourwebsite.wordpress.com), but relying on a free subdomain can hurt your brand’s credibility. Free domains typically come with branding restrictions and limited control. If you’re serious about your online presence, investing in a custom domain (e.g., yourwebsite.com) is essential to building trust and professionalism.
Don’t Neglect Security
Domain security is crucial to protect your website from unauthorized access or hijacking. Always use strong, unique passwords for your domain registrar account, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if it’s available. Domain hijacking can be a serious issue, where someone gains control of your domain and changes the ownership.
Take the necessary precautions to ensure your domain remains secure and under your control at all times.
