Categories
Domain Names Industry Information Resources

How Long After a Domain Expires Can I Buy It?

How Long After a Domain Expires Can I Buy It?

Domain names are available between one-year to ten-year subscription plans. However, humans err, and we can easily forget the status of our domain registrations and, inadvertently, cause these domains to expire. You are not alone if you want to know how to prevent this from happening.

How long after a domain expires can you buy it? You have 30 days after your domain name’s expiration, where you can still renew the domain with your registrar’s regular hosting rates. Then, you have another 30 days where the domain name no longer sits in the zone (i.e., the website and email associated with no longer works), and you will need to pay an additional redemption fee.

 In this article, we detail all the things that you need to know to prevent losing domain names and make sure that you are on top of all your domain name registration before they expire.

If you want to find available domains, use our free tool here.

How to Prevent Losing Your Domain Name

Knowing you only have 30 days to renew a domain after it expires is not enough. You need to plan ahead to ensure that you do not miss this deadline or renew your domain just a few days before the allowable period. Below, we have curated a few tips on making sure that you do not forget about your domain’s registration renewals.

1. Update Your Calendars

Stay on top of your domain name registration and renewal processes by making sure to add a high-priority calendar reminder on all your devices. Make this a priority even if your domain will only expire after three or ten years. By syncing this task on all your calendars, you are one step ahead of losing your domain names.

2. Whitelist Emails From Your Registrar or Hosting Provider

All hosting providers and registrars send out email notices to their customers a few months or weeks before a domain expires. Make sure that you receive these emails by whitelisting your registrar’s email address.

Also, make sure to read each email that they send out since these would most likely concern your hosted domains and websites. As per ICANN policy, registrars are required to send out renewal emails at least one month and one week before the domain’s expiration. Other domain hosts and providers are also more assertive when it comes to renewal notices, and they send out regular email notifications throughout the month of the domain’s expiration.

3. Sign Up for Automatic Domain Renewal

If your hosting provider offers an automatic domain name renewal service, go for it. This way, you can forget about the domain renewals since they will be charged automatically to a registered card on your account.

Another thing to remember when signing up for automatic domain renewal is to pre-set your hosting plan’s duration. You do not want to be automatically charged for a ten-year domain hosting when you only want the renewal to occur every two years.

4. Update Your Card Details Regularly

For the tip on automatic domain renewal to work, you need to be vigilant in updating your card details on your domain hosting provider’s Billing Settings. Do this every time your credit card changes or when you start to use a different card. Doing so ensures that when the domain renewal date comes around, your card will be automatically charged, and you do not have to deal with the stress of having expired domains beyond their redemption periods.

How Much Does Domain Name Renewal Cost?

Domain name renewal cost varies depending on your domain name registrar, the type of features included in your domain hosting plan, and the length of time you want the domain hosting service for.

Typically, by the time you need to renew a domain name hosting, the regular monthly or yearly rate for that service will apply. You can opt for a monthly or yearly plan. You can also opt to pay for the two-year, three-year, five-year, or ten-year durations depending on your website needs.

Can I Cancel a Domain Name Registration?

Yes, you can cancel your domain name registration at any given time. Contact your registrar on how to start the process of the domain cancellation since each company may have different rules. Also, note that domain names are automatically canceled and deleted if they are not renewed after its initial registration lapses.

Can I Buy a Domain As Soon As It Expires?

If you own a domain name and it has just expired, you can still renew it and retain all the content of the website associated with that domain. On the other hand, if you do not own that expired domain, you need to wait about 60 to 70 days before you can redeem or purchase it again.

An expired domain that no longer sits in the zone file will be deleted and purged from the records of the DNS registrant. Once the domain name is deleted, it is released and will be available for re-registration.

What is the Difference Between the Auto-Renew Grace Period and the Redemption Grace Period?

The Auto-Renew Grace Period is a 45-day duration after the domain name’s expiration where the domain name holder or registrant may still renew the domain. During this period, the domain may still be in the zone file and may still work. The domain renewal fee will correspond to the host’s pricing plans.

The Redemption Grace Period is another 30-day duration where the domain name is no longer in the zone file, and the website and email associated with it will no longer work. During this period, the domain holder or registrant can redeem the domain and will also need to pay a redemption fee on top of your domain hosting plan fees. This fee will vary depending on your registrar.

Can I Transfer My Domain Name Before It Expires?

Yes, it is perfectly fine to transfer your domain name to another host before it expires. Just remember, the transfer request may be denied if you have made changes to the domain owner or registrant within the last sixty (60) days or if the domain is on a locked status. For a step by step guide on how to transfer domains from host to another, check out the linked article.

What If It Has Been More Than 75 Days Since My Domain Name Expired?

If it has been more than seventy-five (75) days since your domain name expired, you will no longer be able to renew or redeem the domain name. The domain and the website information associated with your original creation date has been deleted. Nevertheless, the domain name is placed back on the registry, and anyone can register it for their own sites. You can check with your hosting provider or registrant for its availability and register under your name again.

Related Questions

Can I Put Up an Expiring Domain for Auction?

Yes, if you are the owner of an expiring domain, you can place your site for auction on domain auction sites like Domain Sherpa or GoDaddy Auctions. By putting your domain name on auction, prospective buyers can look at your website and evaluate it based on their business or personal needs. Follow the domain auction company’s instructions on how to process the transfer if a buyer decides to purchase your domain.

When Is a Deleted Domain?

A Deleted Domain refers to any domain that has not been renewed by its previous domain name owner or registrant. Domain deletion occurs about seventy (70) days after its expiry. Once all information regarding that domain name is deleted, it is made available for anyone to purchase again.

Are Hosts Required to Send Domain Renewal Emails?

Yes, domain registrars or hosts are required to send domain expiration, and renewal notices one (1) month and one (1) week before the domain expiration. If you did not receive a domain renewal reminder, your registrar might be in violation of ICANN’s domain renewal policy. Report this behavior of your registrar by submitting a domain renewal complaint form at the ICANN website.

What Is the Process for Renewing ccTLDs?

Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) may have different rules for domain transfer and renewal after their expiration. Contact your domain registrar to get accurate information on how to renew an expired country-code top-level domain name.

Source:

https://archive.icann.org/en/registrars/gtld-lifecycle.jpg

 

Categories
Domain Names How To Guides Resources

How To Transfer a Domain from One Host to Another?

How To Transfer a Domain from One Host to Another?

It’s best not to put all your eggs in one basket. This applies to your domain names and websites as well. So if you have bought a domain name from another company and want to transfer to another hosting provider, you need to follow a set of steps to ensure a smooth process.

So how do you transfer a domain from one host to another? Domain transfers can be done in 4 steps. First, set up your current domain ready for transfer. Then you need to initiate the process with your new registrar. After that, inform your current registrar of the transfer. Secured confirmation emails and payments will be required in between these steps and will differ for each host.

That is the overview of the domain transfer process. For a more detailed step by step guide, check out the guide below.

transfer domain banner image

Steps on Transferring Domains From One Host to Another

1.  Remove any Domain Locks

Most domain hosts set up a transfer lock for its domains to avoid unauthorized transfers. This can easily be removed by going to your host’s CPanel or Domain Settings. If you cannot find this feature, contact your host.

2.  Remove Privacy Locks

Aside from the domain transfer lock, make sure to turn off your privacy locks or WHOIS protection. This ensures that your new registrant can easily initiate the domain transfer process from their end.

3. Get an AuthInfo or Authorization Code

While still at your current domain’s CPanel or Account Settings, also obtain an Authorization Code or AuthInfo Code for the transfer. You can request for the Authorization Code through your CPanel, and an email containing the code will be sent to your registered email address. Authorization Codes may also be called transfer codes, EPP codes, AuthInfo codes, or AuthCodes.

4. Start the Domain Transfer Process with Your New Registrar

Next, log in to your new registrar’s account and look for the option to start the Domain Transfer process. At this point, you need to fill out a domain transfer form. This may be done through email or an automated form on your host’s website.

5. Provide Your Authorization Code

Give the Authorization or AuthInfo Code from your current registrar. You can send this through email or fill out a form that your new registrar provides.

At this point, your new registrar will coordinate with your current domain host. They will inform you if the transfer request is denied or not and provide reasons why.

6. Make Any Required Payment

For most domain registrar, switching domain hosts is free. However, they may require you to pay for the domain name registration and hosting in advance. Research your new registrar well so that you will know what to expect when it comes to payments and fees.

And if there are no issues with your current domain, the domain transfer will proceed without a hitch.

What Are Possible Reasons for a Denied Transfer of Domain?

Registrar can deny and not process a domain transfer for the following reasons:

  1. The domain name is on a Locked status.
  2. The domain name is within sixty (60) days from its registration date.
  3. The domain name is within sixty (60) days from a previous domain transfer.
  4. The domain name owner does not expressly authorize the transfer.
  5. The domain name holder or administrative contact cannot be verified.
  6. There is evidence of fraud for the transaction.
  7. There is a payment hold on the domain name.

Domain registrars may also not grant transfer requests if there are pending court orders, cases, or disputes for the domain name.

Who Can Authorize Domain Name Transfers?

A domain transfer can only be allowed by any of the following:

  1. The registered owner or holder of the domain name
  2. An administrative contact
  3. A person with legal authority to acts on behalf of the domain name holder or the administrative contact

In the Cpanel or Account Settings of your current domain host, you can request to change the administrative contact or registered owner of your domain name. But remember that for any change in the domain name owner or holder, a sixty (60) day lock will be placed, prohibiting you from making transfers or changes after that.

Contact your hosting provider’s support team to find out if this policy is in place or if you need to wait for sixty more days before you can process a domain transfer.

What Is the Difference Between Domain Transfer and Domain Redirects?

A domain transfer refers to the process of switching the Registrar for your domain name. With domain transfers, your domain name stays the same, and only your Registrar changes.

On the other hand, a domain redirect is a method of forwarding site visitors to another website or domain. With domain redirects, you may change your domain Registrar or not. An example of a domain redirect occurs when you have an old domain, www.olddomain.com, and you want the visitors of this site to be automatically redirected or forwarded to www.newdomain.com.

Can I Transfer a Domain Name to Another Person?

Yes, it is possible to transfer and change the ownership of a domain name to another person. To do this, you need to contact your current domain host or registrar. Authorization forms and requests are sent to you through email to verify the change of domain ownership.

Should I Transfer Domain to New Owner First Before Transferring It to a New Host?

Whether you are transferring domain name holders or hosts, always remember for these a sixty (60) hold occurs after each of this change. You can change the domain name holder first, then wait for sixty days before processing a domain host transfer. This applies when you switch over to a new registrar first. Plan your domain name changes accordingly.

Can I Transfer an Expired Domain?

If your domain has just expired or it is within 45 days from its expiration date, you may still request a domain transfer to another host or registrar. However, if it longer than 45 days, your domain name will be under a Pending Deletion status. You will need to redeem your domain name with your previous domain host and pay for the hosting free before you can request for the domain transfer.

How Much Does a Domain Transfer Cost?

For most domain registrars, transferring a domain comes at no additional cost. However, if your domain has expired for more than 45 days or if it is your registrar’s policy to charge for transfers, they can do so. Research and ask your domain service providers before deciding on which domain host or registrar to use.

What Is the Best Domain Host to Transfer To?

When it comes to choosing the best domain host, you need to keep in mind your website’s specific needs. To illustrate, if you want to more bandwidth and storage allocation, look for a domain host that provides this. Or, if you want a host that offers free domain transfers, pick a provider that explicitly states that any transfers come free of charge.

We recommend SiteGround if you want free email, CDN, and SSL features. Or, you can check out WPX Hosting if you want WordPress hosting. Other hosting providers we recommend are Kinsta and WP Engine.

Check out our bonus bundle and get up to $1,474 in bonuses when you sign up through our Web Hosting Offers.

Related Questions

How long does a domain transfer take?

A domain transfer between different hosts or registrars can take between three (3) to seven (7) days. Note that transfers of country-specific top-level domains (TLDs) may take longer.

How do I know who my domain registrar or host is?

To look up who your domain registrar is, go to lookup.icann.org. On the section labeled Contact Information, you will find the domain registrar’s name and contact information. If domain privacy protection is placed on the domain, a privacy service provider will be shown in this section.

Can I file complaints about my domain registrar with ICANN?

Yes, you can lodge any complaints against the denial of your domain transfer request through ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) on this link https://www.icann.org/compliance/complaint.

Sources:

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/about-transfer-policy-2017-10-10-en

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en

https://domains.google/learning-center/why-and-how-to-transfer-your-domain/

 

Categories
Business Name Ideas Resources

368 Photography Business Name Ideas & Availability Check

Photography Business Name Guide – Ideas & Availability

You have a great idea for your own photography business. Maybe you’ve started drafting a business plan. You already have a firm knowledge of what your target customer base is going to be and a fantastic location. You’re ready to take off.

Well, almost. The only thing missing? …

Your Business Name.

A great business name should encompass the “feeling” of your brand. In a word (or few), your business name conveys what your business is about; its vision; its purpose. At the very least, your business name should be catchy – and memorable.

In this article, we will give you 368 great name ideas for a photography business. Moreover, we will talk about several techniques on how to conceptualize a catchy business name of your own which is more personal and expressive of your mission, vision, purpose, or your stand-out personality.

photographer-taking photo at sunset

368 Photography Business Name Ideas

To kick-start your dream photography business, we’ve drawn up a list of our suggestions for a great business name. We tried to keep each business name suggestion catchy, essential, and memorable.

INSTANTLY CHECK THESE 368 PHOTOGRAPHY NAMES FOR AVAILABILITY

A Thousand Words .jpg Exchange Autofocus
Adaptation All the Colors Autotypy
Backdrop Bonus Amazing Images Beholder
Best Light Art Attack Best Angle
Best Shots Artistic Development Camera Roll
Bitmap Avant Garde Cinematic Captures
Capture Class Black and White Best Cinematograph
ClickSnap Camera Craft Color Models
Color Wheel Camera Obscura Colors Unlimited
Contact Print Camerawork Copy Right Pictures
DePict Collage Collaborator Dancing Lights
Epic Portraits Color Collaborators Depiction Studios
Exhibit A Contact Prints Digital Zoom
Film Farm Darkroom Documentarist
Filmwise Photography Digital Dimensions En Plein Air Photography
Hot Shot Photography Film Scientist Event Specialists
Hot Shots Fine Focus Film Strip
Hue Man Great Lens Filmcraft
Iconic Handcolour Filmy
Image Pro Illustrated Unlimited Filter Feels
Isn’t it Chromatic Image Machine Final Cut
Keepsake Creators Image Plus Freeze Frame
Landscape Photography Latent Image Gallery Guru
Mirror Mirror on the Wall Light Sensitive Graphic Specialist
Monochrome Maximum Exposure Illustrator International
Montage Mind’s Eye Intermedia
Natural Light Photigraphy Montage Lens Reflex
Panoramic Life Montage Specialists Magnify
Panoramic View Mosaic Best Memorable Expression
Perfect Figures Noir Optical Zoom
Phtography Spot Paint Me a Picture Painture
Picturely Photogram Pellicle Studio
Picturesque Photographic Memories Photofinisher
Pixel Picks Photorealism Photosensitivity
Polychrome Stop Picture Science Pixel Positive
Prime Photography Portrait Pro Poetry of Motion
Shutterspace Power Filter Pictures Powder Method
Shutterspeed Printmaker Prism Pictures
Sketch Artist Selfie Studios Rangefinder
Smile Factory Shutterbug Studios Say Cheese
Snap Up Photography Spyglass Scene Collectiion
Snapshot Stained Glass Sensory Shop
Solarize Surrealist Strike a Pose
Still Lfe Team Tripod Symmetry
Story Masters The Lensman The Printmaker
Technique The Pictorialist Thumbnail
Touch Print True Colors Photography Touch Up Photography
Visualeyes View Bank Transmittance Photography
Wide Angle Studios Visual Concepts Vid Captain
YourName Photography YourName Studios Visual Communication Pros
All About Life Auto Focus Ala Carte Photography
Aperture Awesome Stills Aphrodite Studios
Artist Central Baby Love Photography Best Days Photography
Auto Zoom Big Picture Best Wishes Photography
Beauty Mark Camera Crew Best You Photography
Blink Camera Gods By the Moonlight Photography
Candid Moments Camera Lucida Carbon Copy
Color Wheel Camerawork Cutting Edge
Compositry Clear Prints Eagle Eye Photography
Descriptive Science Creative Shots Eastern Photography
Double Exposure Dance All Night Pictures Eye for Detail Photography
Dynamic Pictures East Coast Photography Four Seasons Photography Services
Envision Electric Eye High Beam Photography
Fine Art Photography Focal Point High Tech Studios
Flythrough Photography Frame Masters Image Pros
Frame of Mind Image Magic Inspired Photography
Full Spectrum Image Plus Inspired Photos
Green Screen Photography Junior Photos Jump Shot Studios
Headshot Pros Light Catchers Morning Light Photography
Hot Flashes Light Magic My First Picture
Illustrate to Innovate Light Meter New Generation Photography
Image Tank Mom ‘n Pop Photo New You Photo Services
Imagen Ocular Experts Northern Lights Studios
Immortalize It Optima Northern Photography
In Focus Photo 101 Only You Portraiture
Kinetoscope Photo Café Order Up Photography
La Photographie Photo Express Pacific Photographers
Multiple Exposure Photo Pros Passion Photography
Photo Avenue Photo Shop Perfect Smile Photography
Photo Finish Precious Moments Photo Central
Photographus Maximus Prime Subjects Photo City
Photography Partners Real Image Photo Pros
Photolandia Reportage Picture Cupids
Photophile Room with a View Picture Pros
Photos Stat Scene Showcase Pictures R Us
Pix Mix Scenic Shots Prime Photography
Silver Screen Studio ScreenShots Print Lab
Smart Clicks Photography Sepia Feels Studios Seasons Photography
Soft Focus Spectrometer Studios Sourire Photography Services
Stills Venue The Love Shack Studios Southern Photography
Stop Bath Studios The Spectrometrist Suit Up Studios
Story Board Photography The Storyteller Sunlight Studios
The Colorist Tripod Studios Sweet Inspiration
Triptych United Photography Take the Shot
Vignette Wedding Bells Photography Timeless Tokens
Visage West Coast Photography Trendsetter
Wide Shot Wide Spectrum Triple A Photography
Wink Tank YourName & Sons Photography Type A Studios
Wishcraft Zoom Lens Western Photography
Zoom In Zoom Out Winning Shot Photography
All About You Photography Photo Loco
Amazing Smiles Studios Premium Photos
Any Day Picture Studio Deluxe Photos
Artistic Smiles Studio High End Photography
Beach Bum Photography Soft Touch Studios
Beam Me Up Pictures Belle and Beau Photography
Blend In Studios Buona Fotografia
Blissful Union Studio Services Tripod Tricks
Bright Lights Photography Machu Picchu Pictures
Buff Works Photography Pretty in Pink
Buonasera Studios Shuttr
Burst Shots Photography Dream Team
Camera Wiz The Travelling Photographer
Candlelight Studios Wanderlust
Clicks for Tots Photography Rutilant Pictures
Clicks Unlimited Under the Sea Photography
Collage Makers Photography CHECK AVAILABILTY 
Dare to Bare Photography CHECK AVAILABILTY 
Dusk Till Dawn Photography
Extreme Action Photos
Fairy Tale Photography
Feel the Rush Photography
Firefly Photo Services
Flash Photography
Gentle Reminder Photography
Gift of Life Photo Services
Gourmet Glam Photography
Have it Your Way Photography
Hope Springs Photography Studio
Imagination Unlimited
In a Snap Studios
Love of Family Portraits
Maximum Light Photography
Memory Lane
Pawsome Prints
Pets Unlimited Photography
Photo Jungle
Photo Market
Photobook Specialists
Pixel Art
Point N Shoot
Pro Lens
Snappy Comeback Photography
Soft Light Photography
Sparkle & Shine
Stage Masters Studio
Surf’s Up Photography
Tea Lights Photography
Timeless Photographs
Treasure Chest Picture Studio

CHECK THESE 368 PHOTOGRAPHY NAMES FOR AVAILABILITY (Plus Instantly Get More Ideas With Our Free Business Name Generator)

So, you’ve decided on a business name for your photography business. Great!

The next important step is to find out if the name you want is likewise available for registration as a domain name.

To learn about your chosen business name is available as a domain name is with our FREE Naming Generator.

Our FREE tool will allow you to quickly search the availability of your photo business name domain and social profiles.

And if it IS available, it will allow you to quickly secure the domain at the best possible price from some of the biggest, most trusted companies in the industry, while qualifying you for our bonus bundle.

If the business name you want is not available as a domain name, NamingGenerator.com will give you a lot of closely-related alternative ideas that are available.

How Do I Come Up with a Catchy Photography Business Name?

A good business name is not only catchy and quick to recall, but more importantly, embodies the essence of your brand. It is also a constant reminder for your team members about what you stand for and why you do what you do.

Sure, you could pay naming agency thousands of dollars to find a name that’s new, trendy, memorable, relevant, and un-trademarked. But if you’re just starting out, your capital is likely allocated in other, more important priorities (such as equipment, packaging, manpower, etc.). Instead of contracting a third party to name your business, it’s possible to try to get inspired on your own. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Use your own name. It’s your business, after all. Many well-known brands use the creator’s name – like Barnes & Noble, Buick, or Bacardi.

Your Nickname. Did you know that Adolf Dassler, nicknamed “Adi”, founded one of the most recognizable sportswear brands in the universe? The name “Adidas” alone speaks volumes about the brand’s success, don’t you agree? Use your nickname as your business name for a more personal touch. Or, you may use your child’s name or nickname for a sentimental (and meaningful) touch. Just as Mercedes was named after the founder’s daughter.

Use acronyms. A lot of major companies use acronyms instead of their full names. Acronyms are quicker and easier to remember. Think AOL (America Online) or BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation.

Mash-ups. Think of two or three words that are meaningful to you and your business. Can they be combined in some way – either in pieces or in its entirety? Netflix (“internet” and “flicks”) clearly had the right idea. A name like “BreadGo” quickly indicates, in just two syllables, that you’re in the business of baked goodies to-go and/or quick order.

Use rhymes. Words that rhyme would be a catchy way to help people remember you the next time they need pictures or portraits. “Photo Loco” is cute, brief, and speaks about how pictures are your passion,

Mythology and literature. Nike is one of the most iconic brands in the global market. In Greek mythology, Nike is the goddess of victory. Likewise, other well-known companies like Oracle, Hermés, and Mars have names derived from mythology. Read up and see if there’s a mythological or literary figure that’s relevant to your venture.

Foreign words. Incorporating non-native language can make your business seem exotic… and easily-remembered, at the same time. French words pertaining to beauty; Latin words related to camera; Italian for “good photograph”, and so on…

Think of your tools. Using words that refer to your tools (such as your tripod or camera) will help even just passersby quickly understand what type of business you are in.

Geography. Get a map. Get inspired by the globe. Have you ever heard of Amazon, the internet retail giant? Well, millions have. And it happens to be named after the largest river in the world. Think: Machu Picchu. Easily, one of the most picturesque places in the world.

Mix it up. Anagram. Ambigram. Try combining numbers, a syllable of your name, a city. Take IKEA, for example: this name comes from the founder’s name, Ingvar Kamprad, and his hometown, Elmtaryd Agunnaryd. The founder’s name and hometown are all a mouthful. But everyone can say “IKEA”.

Be descriptive. When you think about your business, what are the words that would describe it best? Make a list, and visualize how these words will look in your brand logo or storefront signage. As with 7-Eleven – the name instantly tells you what’s special about their stores (they’re open from 7AM-11PM every day).

Look from a different perspective. Take an extra step back from your product or business and see if it reminds you of anything else – is it just like a mobile phone that looks like a Blackberry? Maybe your new photography studio is shaping up to be dotted with flowers or pastel colors. Why not use that in your brand name?

Stand out with spelling. Add or drop a letter, or completely change the spelling of a well-known word to make your business name catchier. Take Flickr and Tumblr, for example. Or, choose a word that’s an icon for your business and re-invent its spelling, just as how Reebok did with the word “rhebok,” an African antelope. Shuttr, why not?

What you believe in. Use your business name as a way to remind yourself (as well as your customers and your team members) what you stand for. A name like “Wanderlust” suggests that you’re a photographer who’s traveled (or travels) plenty for the most amazing pictures all over.

Pick a word from the dictionary. If none of these ideas have inspired you just yet, take a tip from Twitter and choose a random word from the dictionary. Just like today’s random word for this writer: rutilant. Defined as “shining or glowing”. Okay for a photography business, yes?

Photography Name Generator Tool Image

Other Creative Tips in Coming Up with a Catchy Business Name for Social Media

It may happen that the business name closest to your heart already exists in a different part of the globe. Unless the name itself has been trademarked or copyrighted, you have the freedom to use it. A business name that is not yet copyrighted by another entity is still usable, but you also need to think about your customers. Standing your ground in this regard may result to your customers finding their way to your competition, instead. Differentiate your business presence on social media by tweaking it a little, without totally losing your identity.

Add your geographic location. If there is someone already on social media with the same name you want, you can go ahead and use it, too (social media handles are not typically trademarked), but add “USA” or “OH” in the end.

Add your name. The first thing I thought of heavily as I was conceptualizing a micro-business of homespun treats was what I wanted to call it. I checked Google and Facebook if there already was a page with the same name. There was. But this other entity’s products were totally different, and it was in an entirely different continent. I went ahead and created my own social media page, adding my name to the end of the page’s handle.

Add the date or year. When did you start your business? What year were you born? What is your favorite holiday?

Add the type of business. Just like in my earlier story, I found a same-named page on Facebook. But it was individual manufacturing housewares and home-hacks. I simply added “Bakery” to mine.

Does My Website Name Need to be the Same as My Business Name?

It’s simple: you want people to be able to type in your business name and land on your website. This was no problem years ago – but today’s business owners have faced a bigger challenge. With more than 200 million domain names already registered, it is not so easy to secure a dot-com domain name that matches your new business’s name to the letter.

While matching one’s business name to the corresponding domain name was, once upon a time, believed to be non-negotiable, this is no longer set in stone nowadays. Experts have agreed that a good domain name is short – seven characters long or, ideally, fewer. If the goal of your website is to generate search traffic, then keywords are critical more than an exact match. However, if your website’s goal is to simply have an online presence for your customers’ convenience, then a domain name that matches closely with your company name could be more effective.

In other words, an exact-match domain name helps you get found by search engines, instead of losing your potential customers to the competition. But if your business is largely transacted offline, then you have more legroom if an exact-match domain name is no longer an option. Many physical store-based businesses (like gyms, restaurants, hotels, and others) include their geographic location in their domain names. You may consider yourcompanynameSF.com if you’re in San Francisco or yourcompanynameLA.com if you’re in California. Doing so also helps your search engine visibility as many people typically search for retail outlets, hotels, and the like that are nearby.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a domain name that’s more brand-based, the first question you need to ask yourself is this: what works best for your customers? What could meaningfully embody your business’ identity and will, at the same time, stay top-of-mind among your target customer set? Go with a long or short domain name – what’s important is it’s memorable, relevant, easy to spell or type, professional, and expresses your individuality.

Broadly, once you’ve chosen the perfect business name for your venture, it’s time to stay on high gear. First of all, go check if your chosen business name is available to register as a domain name. Match it to a T or brand it – just make sure you don’t have the same business name as your competitor/s. Next, set up an Instagram, Facebook, or other social media handle. You might even think about applying for a trademark down the road.

The first place you can go to find out about your choice domain name’s availability is with our FREE Naming Generator that will allow you to quickly search the availability of your preferred domain name. If what you want is available for registration, it will assist you in quickly securing the domain at the best possible price from some of the most trusted companies in the industry. If not, this tool will offer free domain name suggestions, using your own ideas and your keywords. More than that, the tool will show great leads for domain registrars and web hosting providers.

 

https://www.starterstory.com/photography-business-names

https://namesbee.com/photography-business-names/

https://feltmagnet.com/photography/photography-name-ideas

https://biznamewiz.com/photography-company-names/

https://www.vistaprint.com/hub/business-name-ideas

How Important is it to Match Your Company Name with Your Domain Name?

 

Categories
Industry Information Resources Web Hosting

11 Best BlueHost Hosting Alternatives 2020- Full Comparison Guide

11 Best Bluehost Hosting Alternatives?

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Webhosting is essential to running an online business or website as it provides the infrastructure for your site’s performance, stability, security, and growth. Bluehost is one of the most recognized hosting companies in the world, but we know sometimes you want other options, so, in this article, we look at 11 of the best hosting alternatives outside of Bluehost and compare them across a plethora of categories so you can make the best decision for your business.

Web hosts own a large number of powerful servers that provide reliable service to thousands of websites. Effectively, you rent server space when you sign up for a hosting plan. But a good web host isn’t just in the business to sell that server space – they are also selling their expertise in keeping their technology (thus, your website) running seamlessly, efficiently, and securely.

Bluehost is one such service provider. In fact, Bluehost is one of the biggest and most popular hosting companies in the industry. Naturally, though, some users want to know about the best Bluehost alternatives. If you want to pick up Bluehost, use our affiliate link to get some great bonuses.

It’s just good business sense and, besides, different businesses have unique requirements. In this article, we will give you a complete review of the top hosting BlueHost alternatives for 2020 and, possibly, beyond.

What are the best Bluehost hosting alternatives? At a quick glance, the best Bluehost hosting alternatives for 2020 are:

The functionality and overall quality of a website depend heavily on the software used to keep everything together. The software your web host uses can determine the range of features your website can have, your website’s user interface, and how your web content is updated. This is why the number one consideration in choosing a web host should be its ability to support all necessary applications, scripts, or software your website will be running.

Now that we’ve given you a quick list of top Bluehost alternatives, read on through the rest of this article to see exactly how each stack up in the areas that really matter to your website’s success. Do not worry if you aren’t familiar with all the hosting jargon or if you are not totally fluent about the different features mentioned here.

We have included a quick glossary of terms related to hosting features at the end of the article. You will surely become acquainted with and understand better which hosting features are relevant to the success of your website.

Our goal is to help you make the right web hosting decision. And as you decide on the right hosting provider for your website, make sure to do so through our links in order for you to receive our amazing bonuses, such as:

  • A free custom logo for your company designed by our team of graphics professionals
  • A free e-book: 27 FREE Website Tools that will Save You Time and Money
  • Video training courses on how to launch a successful website (more traffic and more income!)

BLUEHOST ALTERNATIVE HOSTING FEATURES

We did a deep-dive on each hosting alternative we listed and compiled their top user-interesting aspects that should help in making a decision at-a-glance.

SITE SPEED

Site Speed Hosting Feature Image

Site speed has to do with how quickly a website responds to web requests. Faster sites create happy users and studies have shown that when a site responds slowly, visitors spend less time there. Recent data show that faster sites don’t just improve user experience — but that an improved site speed translates to cost reduction. And now, site speed is no longer just a critical factor for visitors, but it’s now also a confirmed Google ranking factor. In the site speed aspect, several user tests have shown WPX Hosting and Kinsta as more consistent leaders of the pack.

11 BlueHost Alternatives Site Speed Comparison

HOSTING PRICE

Hosting Cost Money Image

Web hosting price is the aspect most (if not all) of us will first inspect when choosing a web hosting provider. But yes, it shouldn’t be THE deciding factor. When scrutinizing price differences across web host providers, it’s helpful to remember the age-old saying that we get what we pay for. Jumping on the lowest offer you see isn’t necessarily the best idea, especially if your website is relied upon to generate money. It is a much better approach to take a closer look at the features that each web host offers, and THEN compare prices.

Bluehost Alternatives Comparing 11 Webhost Pricing Plans

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

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One of the web hosting features we need to look at first in a host is their reputation for customer support. What are the channels to contact them should you need support – chat, toll-free phone, email? All of the above? Are they staffed 24/7? Various user reviews have ranked WPX Hosting, SiteGround, InMotion Hosting, and WP Engine as the ones with the strongest customer support structure.

bluehost alternatives customer service comparison chart

WEBSITE MIGRATION

website Data Hosting Migration Image

Website Migration. Broadly, site migration is a term used by SEO professionals to describe any activity wherein a website undergoes key changes in areas that can significantly impact search engine visibility. Typically, these changes are related to the site’s location, platform, structure, content, design, or user interface. HostGator, Kinsta, and WPX Hosting have ranked well on top web hosts that offer free site transfers by user reviews.

11 bluehost alternatives migration services comparison chart

SITE BACK UP

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Site Backup. Beyond taking the necessary security precautions to protect one’s website, regularly backing up your website is just good sense. That way, if something unfortunate and unforeseen does occur, you won’t have to start over from scratch. Instead, you can simply restore your site from a previous backup. In a nutshell, a website backup is a copy of all of your website data. Generally, the more data included in the data backup policy, the better. And website backups are ideally done on a regular basis. This way, you are able to restore your site from a backup that’s updated. Hostinger, HostGator, and InMotion Hosting made it to a Best Web Hosting Providers for 2020 list of a leading IT blog site.

11 bluehost alternatives site back up services comparison chart

SSL CERTIFICATE

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SSL Certificate. A survey was conducted among 425 users to find out which web hosting features were a priority in choosing a web host provider. 25% named security as the most valued, citing security over other features like uptime and disk space. HostGator, InMotion Hosting, and GreenGeeks were among the Top 10 Best Free SSL Hosting Providers in the said study.

11 bluehost competitors SSL certificate policy comparison chart

WORDPRESS OPTIMIZATION

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WordPress Optimization. Whichever host you’re going to choose, keep in mind the 3 most important factors of what makes for a solid WordPress hosting: Speed (or “load time”), Uptime (at least 99.94% reliability), and Customer Support (WordPress expertise). With all three elements prioritized, Hostgator, Hostinger, and SiteGround were ranked as being among 10 Best WordPress Hosting Services.

11 bluehost competitor wordpress optimization comparison

SITE UPTIME

under maintenance image for site uptime

Uptime. By definition, uptime is the amount of time that the server hosting your website is up and running. A hosting provider that has a strong uptime reliability rate indicates that their servers perform well. Imagine a user lands on your website and it doesn’t load. Research has found that 88% of online consumers are less likely to re-visit a website after a negative experience earlier. Experts recommend overlooking a hosting provider offering anything less than 99.9% uptime rate, which is the industry benchmark these days. User reviews have listed HostGator, SiteGround, and DreamHost as top web host providers to consider for their near-excellent uptime.

11 web hosting uptime percentages comparison chart

FREE DOMAIN NAMES OFFERED

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A domain name, simply put, is the human-readable version of your website’s address. If you purchased your domain through your hosting provider, it is likely that you already have your website set up for you, as well. A number of web hosting providers offer domain names for free. Though this might sound like a good deal right off-the-bat, do not just jump at the offer. Take a closer look at the free options. It’s been studied that a URL that people trust AND remember is more likely to get clicked on, linked to, and shared, thus making it easier to build a brand with a trusted domain name extension (.com, .org, .net, etc.). BLUEHOST, HostGator, and DreamHost are consistently popular among web hosts that offer a free domain with their hosting plans.

11 webhosts offering free domain name comparison

CDN CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK

CDN Content Delivery Network Map Image

CDN or Content Delivery Network is another important factor to consider when deciding on a web host.  CDNs that store website files, videos, and images as close as possible to end-users reduce load times and increase a website’s chances at conversions. Several web hosting providers include a free CDN when you sign up for their services, typically in the form of a plugin found within the user control panel. In this aspect, SiteGround and Liquid Web are leaders in balancing performance boost with optimized hardware, programming languages, and caching tools.

11 hosting providers CDN offers comparison chart

SECURITY & MALWARE REMOVAL

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Security and Malware Removal. Keeping a website secure and protected from malware should be prime for any web hosting provider. In reality, though, not all web hosts offer free malware scans. And the ones that do might not automatically clean up infections that are detected. WPX Hosting and WP Engine are notable for being good WordPress hosts that offer free malware scans and clean-up.

comparing 11 bluehost alternatives in malware removal features

BANDWIDTH

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Bandwidth. It is the amount of data you are allowed to transfer to and from your web server each month. This includes uploads and downloads, both HTTP and FTP. Bandwidth depends on your web page size, as well as the number of visitors to your website and the number of pages they visit. In a number of user reviews of web hosting providers who offer high bandwidth (balanced with quality of service and security), Liquid Web and InMotion Hosting are both excellent scorers.

compare 11 hosting providers for bandwidth limitations

STORAGE

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Storage. A hosting plan that offers unlimited storage will allow you to host an unlimited number of files on your website’s server. This is ideal for large websites or sites that upload a high amount of images and media. Most of the Terms and Conditions of these plans will state, however, that bandwidth and storage are “unlimited” in so far as customers can use as many resources as is ‘reasonable’ or ‘normal’ for a small business website or blog. InMotion Hosting and DreamHost have been rated as top web hosting providers with above-par unlimited or unmetered offerings.

11 hosting providers storage comparison chart

 

BlueHost Hosting Alternatives Key Highlights

11 Web Hosting Companies Comparison Table

WPX Hosting boasts of their ability to provide its users with superior page loading speed through their OWN high-speed, custom Content Delivery Network (CDN, free for ALL WPX customers) and brand new and cutting edge SSD servers (all of which are owned, not rented) that are deliberately never overloaded with web accounts and sites. WPX Hosting’s optimized machines come with the guarantee that these perform very well, even under heavy traffic loads.

Kinsta is a fully-managed WordPress hosting provider that offer superior speed, daily backups, reliable security, and free site migrations, among many other features. Users are given the liberty to focus on growing their respective sites or businesses, as Kinsta hosting is always running, monitored, and scalability on-demand.

SiteGround offers reliable web hosting, managed WordPress hosting, high-performance WooCommerce hosting, and auto-scalable cloud hosting. SiteGround prides itself of providing starters with a full solution, including their choice of site builder, premium features, and reliable support. SiteGround also provides free automated WordPress migration with a user-friendly plug-in or expert-assisted migration for professional websites.

WP Engine Their commitment is to help users’ businesses forward faster with the first and only WordPress Digital Experience Platform. This platform provides a suite of site-building and management tools; cloud hosting and security; and optimization tools to help keep websites dynamic. WP Engine remains one of the top hosting providers because of their unparalleled speed, scalability, and security for websites that they host.

DreamHost. Known as one of the fastest and more reliable web host providers, DreamHost boasts of multiple data center locations, redundant cooling, emergency generators, and constant monitoring. With such, DreamHost offers a 100% Uptime Guarantee. They also have what they refer to as Custom Control Panel – an intuitive interface giving its users admin access to all applicable DreamHost products. Here, one can easily update domain information, add users, adjust email settings, gain access to promotions, and more.

Hostinger has been touted as a reliable, affordable web host that helps you get your business online quickly. Downsides to Hostinger, though, is that it lacks Windows servers, phone support, and dedicated hosting plans. With shared hosting, your website “lives” on a server with other websites. In other words, the sites share a single server’s resources. The disadvantage is that shared hosting is not very powerful, so your site may lag or even become unavailable. The benefit of this type of hosting is that costs are split, resulting in low-cost web hosting. This might be more ideal for blog start-ups and similar.

HostGator hosts over 8 million domains and is one of the most popular web hosts in the industry. With one-click WordPress installation, 99.9% uptime guarantee, and 24/7 customer support, HostGator is a smart choice for every website owner. HostGator is considered as one of the best web hosting for businesses.

GreenGeeks is a hosting platform that prides itself on delivering eco-friendly service at affordable prices. They offer a WordPress-specific plan with plenty of features. GreenGeeks is certainly an appealing option for environmentally conscious website owners. GreenGeeks achieves this by designing its platform to be extremely energy efficient and by investing heavily in renewable energy.

InMotion Hosting has been a known industry brand with reliable performance for business class web hosting. InMotion performs well on three big areas of uptime, speed, and support. They also provide a few additional features which can make user experience more convenient and enjoyable.

Cloudways’ hosting infrastructure allows users to focus on building great websites, rather than on the complexities of web hosting. Their managed hosting platform gives ecommerce businesses and digital agencies the flexibility and control in how their websites are hosted. They are known for flexible cloud hosting plans, rapid set-up times, excellent uptime, and as being backed by 24/7/365 support.

Liquid Web, signing up and launching a new WordPress website is very straightforward. Therefore, if what you need is a web host that will allow you to have your new site up and running without delay, Liquid Web is a way to go. Reasonably priced, yet they are known for their exceptional server speed and stability. Liquid Web likewise provides top-notch customer support in the industry.

 

Glossary Of Webhosting Terms

Not everyone is fluent in internet language but this should never deter any enterprising spirit from attempting to create an online presence. Very quickly, here is a review of the important technical terms that we touched upon throughout this article.

Bandwidth – In computing, bandwidth is the maximum rate of data transfer across a given path. It is the maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection over an amount of time. Bandwidth may be speaking about network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth. Bandwidth is often confused for internet speed when, really, it’s the volume of information that can be sent over a connection calculated in megabits per second (Mbps).

CDN – Short for Content Delivery Network. It is a system consisting of multiple servers, placed in different locations around the world. When you utilize a CDN with your site, all those servers across the globe will be loaded with static versions of your website’s files. This typically includes code like CSS and JavaScript, images, documents, videos, and other data. Not only will this make your site faster, but it can also help secure it and reduce bandwidth usage. In other words, one way to maintain a website’s speed and performance consistent is by using a CDN.

SSL Certificates – SSL (or Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts information being passed through your website. It keeps your visitor’s confidential information, such as their payment details, safe and protected. SSL certificates vary in security level and price.

WordPress optimization – This is the process of enhancing, tweaking, and customizing the WordPress set up in order to improve the website’s performance, make it faster, and more easily found. It consists of many elements, including having the right specifications, updates, optimizing databases, managing plugins, and others.

Uptime – The amount of time that a server has stayed up and functional. This is usually listed as a percentage rate, such as “99.9%” and such. Uptime is a good indicator of how good a web hosting provider is at keeping their systems up and running.

 

Indeed, there are many different factors to consider when looking for and finally deciding on a web host. The most critical elements are those that have to do with your website’s functionality, performance, and reliability. We should always remember that studies have shown that a slow-loading or unresponsive website drives visitors (and thus, potential clients) away. A website’s performance, reliability, and usefulness all can significantly affect the success of your website. If you choose the right web hosting service provider right out the gate, you are likewise saving yourself the headache of having to migrate your site to a different provider down the road. We hope we have been a big help in your journey to the finding the web hosting provider that’s best for you and your website’s needs. And remember, when you sign up with our web host partners through our links on our website, you get amazing bonuses such as free domain name, free custom logo for your company, free e-Book, and video training courses!

SOURCES

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluehost

https://www.bluehost.com/

https://www.hostgator.com/blog/what-to-look-for-in-web-host/

https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/factors-consider-when-choosing-web-hosting-provider

https://www.matthewwoodward.co.uk/blogging/fastest-wordpress-hosting/

https://www.wpkube.com/wpx-hosting-review/

https://wpxhosting.com/knowledgebase/article/35/does-wpx-hosting-sell-ssl-certificates-or-can-help-with-ssl-integration-/?affid=375

https://www.matthewwoodward.co.uk/blogging/reviews/wpx-hosting/

https://wpxhosting.com/knowledgebase/article/163/does-wpx-hosting-offer-managed-wordpress-hosting-what-exactly-does-that-cover-/

https://www.lifewire.com/uptime-in-web-hosting-3467355

https://blog.resellerclub.com/what-is-wordpress-optimization/

https://kinsta.com/plans/?plan=visits-starter&interval=month

https://www.matthewwoodward.co.uk/blogging/reviews/kinsta/

https://www.verizon.com/info/definitions/bandwidth/

https://hostingfacts.com/hosting-reviews/siteground/

https://www.sitepoint.com/review-sitegrounds-migration-service/

https://www.websitebuilderexpert.com/web-hosting-services/wpengine-pricing/

https://www.webhostingsecretrevealed.net/hosting-review/wp-engine-review/

https://www.dreamhost.com/wordpress/guide-using-a-cdn-with-wp/

https://sea.pcmag.com/hostinger-web-hosting/32141/hostinger-web-hosting

https://hostingfacts.com/hosting-reviews/hostinger/#:~:text=If%20a%20website%20takes%20more,that%20loading%20times%20are%20stable.

https://www.cloudwards.net/hostinger-review/

https://www.bitcatcha.com/hosting-reviews/hostgator/

https://themeisle.com/blog/greengeeks-review-for-wordpress/

https://hostingfacts.com/hosting-reviews/greengeeks/

https://hostingfacts.com/hosting-reviews/inmotion/

https://winningwp.com/liquid-web-hosting-review/

https://moz.com/blog/website-migration-guide#:~:text=A%20site%20migration%20is%20a,content%2C%20design%2C%20or%20UX.

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-web-hosting-providers-for-2020-dreamhost-bluehost-a2hosting-more/

https://www.websitebuilderexpert.com/web-hosting-services/best/ssl/

https://websitesetup.org/best-wordpress-hosting-performance/

https://www.hostingadvice.com/how-to/best-cdn-hosting/

https://berkaweb.com/hosting/free-malware-detection/

https://mybloghosting.com/high-bandwidth-web-hosting-providers/

https://themeisle.com/blog/best-unlimited-hosting-plans/

https://sea.pcmag.com/hostinger-web-hosting/32141/hostinger-web-hosting

https://www.shoutmeloud.com/top-wordpress-hosting-offers-free-wordpress-host-migration-service.html

https://www.wpbeginner.com/hosting/inmotion-hosting/#:~:text=InMotion%20hosting%20has%20been%20a,they%20are%20a%20user%20favorite.&text=They’re%20offer%20our%20users,free%20domain%20and%20free%20SSL.

https://www.whoishostingthis.com/hostingreviews/liquidweb/#:~:text=Our%20Verdict%3A%20Outstanding%20Choice%20for,they%20offer%20very%20reasonable%20prices

 

 

 

 

Categories
domain extensions Domain Names Resources

What Is a .CC Domain? And Should You Use It?

When it comes to picking a domain name, shorter domains are more memorable and brandable. But If your chosen domain name is not available with the regular .COM, .NET, .BIZ, or .ORG top-level domains, you may opt for a shorter .CC domain name extension.

What is a .cc domain? A .CC domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Cocos Islands or Keeling Islands, an Australian territory found in the Indian Ocean. It is commonly used as the top-level domain for groups, companies, or brands that can be abbreviated with double Cs. A few examples include church clubs, cycling clubs, catering companies, crypto currency, etc.

Remember to use our domain name generator to find the best domain name for your site and take advantage of our FREE Bonuses when you use one of our hosting partners.

Is .CC a Good Domain Extention?

CC domain names work just like other types of top-level domains or extensions. They act as the address that people type in a browser’s search bar in order to go to that specific website or page. A .CC domain name is a good domain name especially if you want an easy-to-remember URL.

What Country Is a CC Domain?

A CC domain name is the two-letter country identifier for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. These islands are part of Australian and are located in the Indian Ocean.

Is a .CC Domain Free?

No, a .CC domain is not free. Just like other domain names, you must purchase a .CC extension through a verified domain name registrar. VeriSign is its primary backend or registry provider. Domain name registration costs as low as $5.99 per year and can be renewable between 1 to 10 years.

Are .CC Domains Safe?

Yes, .CC domains are safe. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers authorizes sales of all .CC domains through VeriSign, a US-based network infrastructure company.

What Are the Requirements when Getting a .CC Domain?

Anyone can buy or register a .CC domain. But here are a few guidelines that users must follow to ensure that you choose a good domain name:

  1. Your chosen domain name must be between 3 to 63 characters.
  2. Your chosen domain name must include letters, numerals, or a combination thereof.
  3. Your chosen domain name must not use a hyphen at the start or end of the domain.
  4. Your chosen domain name must not use any special characters.

What Is the Difference between .CC and .CO.CC?

.CC is a primary domain name extension while .CO.CC is a secondary level domain name. CO.CC used to be managed by a company that provided free co.cc subdomains and bulk paid co.cc subdomains. As of July 2011, Google has delisted these sites from its index due multiple spam and abuse issues conducted over co.cc subdomains.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a .CC Domain?

The main advantage of a .CC domain is its price. It costs a lot less than regular top-level domains.

On the other hand, the main disadvantage of a .CC domain lies in its classification as a country-code top-level domain. This means that the domain extension is the designated two-letter identifier for a specific country (Cocos or Keeling Islands, in this case). If the Cocos Islands’ government decided to limit the TLD’s use to its residents, then you will no longer be able to use the domain.

Another disadvantage is the TLD’s reputation as a spam-filled subdomain due to multiple phishing and abuse issues with co.cc. But note that this is only a lingering reputation and does not affect your site’s future linkability and indexability in the eyes of Google and other search engines.

Use this knowledge of the top-level domain’s pros and cons to make a more informed choice for your website.

How to Choose a Good .CC Domain Name

Before deciding on what top-level domain or country-code top-level domain to use, you first need to have a domain name. And, you need a good name because this will help your customers, fans, or users remember your website URL easily.

Below, we have written a few actionable tips that you can follow to ensure that you select a good domain for personal or business websites.

1. Look at Your Brand or Business Name

The first thing to look into when deciding on a website domain name is your current brand, company, or business name. Chances are, your customers or clients already know your business name so they can easily associate a website with your business name if you use it as a domain name.

On the other hand, if you feel that your current business name sounds too formal or opposite with the branding identity you have in mind, feel free to choose a more suitable domain name. Always remember to use your current company name as a guide on what direction to choose for your website’s name and branding.

2. Use a Domain Name Generator

Another efficient way to search for a good domain name is by using a domain name generator. With our free online name generation tool, you can type your chosen URLs of domain names and a list of available domain names with matching top-level domains is provided.

A domain name generator also allows you to see how your chosen domain name looks with different top-level domain names. After all, a regular mywebsite.com often does not look and sound as unique as a mywebsite.cc domain name.

3. Choose a Short Domain

A hallmark of a good domain name is its length. That is why you need your .CC website to use a short domain name. Ideally, you must go for a domain name that is between two to three short words or between 7 and 12 characters.

When you have a shorter domain name, customers and clients are more likely able to remember the URL. Shorter domains can also be helpful in making your brand more memorable.

4. Avoid Typos

Unless having an intentionally misspelled domain name is part of a marketing stunt for launching your website, make sure that your chosen domain name is spelled correctly. Typos and spelling errors only make your domain name look unprofessional.

Before finalizing your domain name registration, make sure to double-check your domain’s spelling. Also, avoid textspeak or non-standard ways of shortening words and phrases as this makes your domain name appear informal.

5. Keep It Simple

Too often, business owners and website creators are bogged down with the details of picking a domain name. Instead, choose a simple domain name. The one that is most related to your brand or business. Do not be afraid to test out the domain name. You can always use a different domain name if the previous one did not generate as much buzz or if you find issues with it.

The point of deciding on a domain name is to get started on your website. Follow the steps above and you will have an easier time choosing a website domain. And after that, you can breeze through the rest of the steps in starting your own business or personal website.

Related Questions

Are CC websites safe?

CC websites are generally safe. They often get a bad rep due to co.cc subdomain websites generating spam links and offering fake antivirus software a few years ago. But worry not, these offending sites have been reported and delisted from Google’s index since 2011.

If you still have doubts about a CC website, verify if the site uses an SSL or contains an https in its URL as these are signs that the website is trustworthy. Or, you may research the site’s name and read reviews before purchasing or clicking a link on a CC website.

Where are the Cocos Islands located?

The Cocos or Keeling Islands is located in the Indian Ocean. This group of 27 islands in 2 atolls is considered Australian territory.

What happened to co.cc?

Prior to 2011, co.cc was owned by a Korean company that sold free co.cc subdomains and premium bulk subdomains. But as of last July 2011, Google removed more than 11 million co.cc websites from its database as they hosted thousands of phishing and spam subdomains. Today, the co.cc domain name has been purchased by another company that uses the domain as a landing page for a browser image capture site.

Categories
Domain Names How To Guides Resources Web Hosting

How to Create a Website for Cheap? Step By Step Guide

On average, creating a basic website will set you back between $50 to $200 per month. But if you want a more affordable website startup cost, this article will teach you how to make a website quickly and without spending too much.

How to create a website for cheap? Creating an inexpensive website involves choosing a bundled package that gets you more for each dollar spent when registering your chosen domain, subscribing to a web hosting plan, installing WordPress, customizing your site with a free WordPress theme, and establishing a good branding identity. Below are the seven steps you need to follow to create a good website for cheap.

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name

A good business domain name should be memorable and brandable. You may use your business or company name as the domain name. Or, you may explore different word and phrase combinations first using our free domain name generator tool.

Naming Generator Domain Search Image

Using our domain name generator also allows you to search for the availability of your chosen domain as a username in various social media and membership sites. Feel free to experiment with different names before finalizing your domain. Always check whether the name matches the branding identity you want to create for your site.

Step 2: Register Your Domain

Once you are confident with a domain name, it is time to register it. Domain registration is needed to validate the website owner’s identity and to ensure that your site is linked to the right address on the internet.

Choose between affordable domain name registrars like BlueHost, NameCheap, and GoDaddy. These domain registrars often offer reduced annual plan rates compared to paying for the service at a higher monthly fee.

Upon registering your domain name, you will need to provide basic account information like name, address, and contact number. If you want to keep this information private, you may subscribe to domain name proxy service or domain privacy service.

Bonus Tip: You can save money on registering your domain name by getting one free with some of our hosting providers. Check them out here.

Step 3: Get a Web Hosting Plan

The next step is to get a web hosting plan. You need a web host to store all the data and files that are needed to run your website on a server. Most new websites do not need a ton of bandwidth or storage space, so go for a shared hosting plan for now. You may gradually upgrade your hosting plans once your site evolves.

As we have mentioned earlier, you can purchase web hosting plans that also offer free domains. Doing so allows you to save on the monthly domain registration fees.

Take advantage of this discounted pricing with any of our bundled web hosting options. Sign up for a NameCheap or Bluehost hosting plan, and you will get one free domain name on top of other benefits. Or, get WooCommerce hosting through SiteGround, and you will get free email services.

Explore all our web hosting options here. Also, qualify for $1,474 Dollars in FREE bonuses if you use one of our hosting options.

Step 4: Download WordPress

When you sign up for a web hosting plan, you need to decide if you want to build a website from scratch, use your web host’s website builder, or use WordPress. To save on time, effort, and money, we recommend downloading WordPress instead.

As a content management system, a self-hosted WordPress dashboard looks just like a regular WordPress.com blog. If you’re already familiar with the platform, using WordPress for your website will be a breeze. And if it’s your first time using WordPress, learn from hundreds of online tutorials on how to use its intuitive interface.

Remember, you may choose a regular shared web hosting plan and install WordPress yourself. Or, you may sign up for a WordPress hosting plan right away and do away with the hassle of installation.

To save more on your WordPress hosting monthly fees, take a look at our WordPress hosting solutions through WPX Hosting, WP Engine, and Kinsta.

Tip: If you purchased your domain from a different domain service provider, make sure to take point your domain to your web host.

Step 5: Select a Free WordPress Theme

By choosing a self-hosted WordPress site, access to the thousands of website themes on WordPress is at your fingertips. However, if you want your site to stand out, we suggest using the customizability options that the Astra WordPress Theme offers.

Astra is a customizable, responsive, and fast theme that will fit your new WordPress website. With it, you can change the layout, color, typography, headers, and a lot more.

With a free customizable WordPress theme, you not only deduct precious dollars on your website startup cost but also edit the theme’s design without much restriction.

Step 6: Set Up Website Branding

Having a clear brand identity is important for any business. More so, when starting a website. And nothing defines your website brand more than a well-designed logo.

To save up on the logo design cost, you may create your own logo using free online logo generators. Another cost-saving way to get a free customized and professional website logo is by signing up for any of our website hosting options. It’s a great deal considering you are already paying for monthly web hosting.

Check Out The Logo Bonus Here

Step 7: Start an Email List

Upon setting up your domain name, web host, website design, and logo, you need to start thinking of how to grow your site. One way to do that cost-efficiently at the beginning is by creating an email list.

With an email list, you can directly inform anyone (with their permission, of course) of any posts, updates, or changes to your website. Most email marketing software like AWeber, MailChimp, and SendinBlue are available for free for the first 1000-2000 subscribers.

Take advantage of these offers while you are building your list. You can upgrade your email marketing plans later on as your site grows.

Our Web Hosting Bonus Bundle That Will Save You Money

Creating a website for cheap does not mean ending up with a subpar site. With our web hosting options, you get to decide which service suits you and your business best. And then reap additional benefits for free.

Our Bonus Bundle gives you up to $1,400 more value in the form of professional logo design, ebooks, six mini-courses, and a website traffic course – all for free.

You do not have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars unnecessarily when creating a website. You also do not need all the bells and whistles of customized design and other functionalities of a business website from the get-go.

In the beginning, you just need a website that you can afford, with a willingness to learn and improve along the way.

Related Questions

What Is the Cheapest and Easiest Website Builder?

The cheapest website builder is WordPress. It is also the most commonly used content management system in the world today. It’s relatively easy to learn by watching a few tutorial videos or trying out the free WordPress.org blogs. WordPress hosting costs about $3 per month.

What Is the Cheapest eCommerce Website Builder?

The cheapest eCommerce website builder is Square Online. With Square Online, you can start an online store for free and with no monthly fees. They do charge a 2.9% + ¢3 transaction fee. Other eCommerce website builders may not charge transaction fees, but they make up for it through monthly fees and a decreased number of products.

Is WordPress Really Free?

Yes, WordPress is free. You can download the WordPress software for free. However, to use this content management system on the web, you need to have a web hosting account. In your web hosting account, install WordPress, and you can begin customizing themes, adding plugins, posting content, and tracking your traffic.

What Is the Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?

The main difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is their web host. WordPress.com is owned and hosted by WordPress, the company. When you sign up for WordPress.com, you will get a free WordPress.com subdomain. On the other hand, WordPress.org allows you to download the WordPress software and lets you install or host it on your web host. With a self-hosted WordPress account, you can use your own domain name.

 

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Domain Names How To Guides Resources Web Hosting

I bought a domain name, now what?

The most profitable websites today did not end with their founders just picking the best domain name. In their early days, for sure, a lot of grit and learning went into the process. And now that you’ve acquired a domain name, preparing for and executing the next steps is crucial.

So, after purchasing a domain name, now what? The next step after buying a domain is to start getting your website ready. This involves choosing a web host, redirecting your domain to your host, picking a content management system, setting up your official email address, starting social media accounts, planning your content, and so on. This set of steps is the most common order of tasks that you should do after getting your first domain.

 In the next few paragraphs, we will further explore the process and provide best practice tips to get your website started.

What Is a Domain?

A domain name acts as your address on the world wide web. This set of letters and/or numbers is what distinguishes your business from your competitors. That is why it is essential to choose a brandable, memorable, and typically short domain.

Check out this article if you want to learn more about choosing the best domain name for your business.

Naming Generator Domain Search Image

What To Do After Buying a Domain?

Choosing a good business domain name and buying that domain name is only the beginning. Outlined below are your next steps. Do them right, and you’ll be on your way to running an equally profitable website.

1. Get a Web Host

A domain name is just an address on the internet. It does not include the files and visual appearance of your website. You need a web host to complement your existing domain name.

Check out the best web hosting offers from industry leaders here and the incredible bonus bundle you can get through our site.

A website host is a company that provides data storage and bandwidth allocation services (among other things) for websites and webpages. A matching web host for your domain name allows you to have a server that stores all data about your website.

A few examples of web hosting providers are NameCheap, GoDaddy, BlueHost, and DreamHost. Also, if you prefer, you may purchase a web hosting plan from your domain registrant company itself.

2. Point Your Domain to Your Web Host

This next step applies if you have a different domain name registrant and web hosting, provider. For your website to appear every time someone types in your domain name on a browser, you need to point your domain name to your web host.

To do that, you must obtain the DNS servers or Name servers of your web host. Go to your web hosting account’s Settings page and look for the name servers. It usually looks like this ns1.domainsample.com, ns2.domainsample.com.

Once you have that, log in to your domain name’s account. Look for the Domain Manager section of the Settings page and update DNS servers or Name servers with the information you have obtained earlier.

For a step-by-step guide on what to do if you buy a domain from one company and use it at another web host.

3. Pick a Content Management System (CMS)

After pointing your domain to your web host, it is time to build your website properly. Most web hosting providers will give you CPanel (backend) access and allows you to install whatever content management system (CMS) you like.

The most commonly used CMS on the web today is WordPress. Other content management systems, like Drupal, Joomla, SquareSpace, and Wix also exist. Some web hosts also have their own website builders. Choose a CMS that you know your way around.

4. Put Up a ‘Coming Soon’ or ‘Under Construction’ Message

As soon as your domain name is properly pointed to your web host, anyone searching for your domain name can begin accessing your website. Setting up an ‘Under Construction’ sign lets any visitor know that you are actively preparing for your site’s launch. This is also a perfect opportunity to create buzz and start an email list.

While you are busy picking what content management system or web hosting plan to use, placing a ‘Coming Soon’ or ‘Under Construction’ sign on your website puts your site to good use. Doing so means that you do not have to worry about leaving an empty website. Instead, you can focus on planning your content and subsequent website launch.

5. Get a Matching Email Address

Now that you have a new domain name, you must also get a matching email address. For example, if your chosen domain name is www.domainsample.com, you must also own any email address under that domain.

From a business perspective, an email address like janedoe@domainsample.com looks much more legit and trustworthy than a janedoe@yahoo.com one. Getting an email address that matches your domain name also allows lets your customers know that you and your business owns the domain.

6. Pay Attention to Your Website Structure and Layout

Right after buying your business domain is the perfect time to refine your website’s structure. Use this time to finalize your website’s look, choose a theme, and even permalink structure. Pay attention to all the nitty-gritty stuff like plugins, on-page SEO, caching, etc.

You want all the backend stuff all figured out before you officially launch the site.

7. Review Your Content Plan

A well-thought-out content plan is important for any website. Do not forget to review the keywords or topics you want to target. And if you are already ahead in planning your content, you may begin the writing process. If your resources allow, you may even delegate the content creation tasks to your writers.

All the seven steps outlined above are the must-dos after buying a domain name. You do not have to follow them in chronological order. But they must all be done before you officially launch your website.

Can I Get a Domain and a Web Host From Different Companies?

Yes, it is possible to buy a domain from one company and subscribe to a web hosting plan from another company. When you have different web hosts and domain name registrants, you will need to sync or point your domain to your web host.

Doing so will make it possible for your website content to appear once you search for your domain name.

Read more here.

Can I Purchase a Domain Without Hosting?

Yes, you can buy a domain name without a hosting plan. Web hosting plans and domain names do not have to be bought together.

Just remember that with only a domain name, your domain name is considered a parked domain. Anyone who accesses your domain name on a browser will see a parked domain message. Or, without a hosting plan, a domain may be pointed to non-self-hosted sites.

But if you want to create your own website and have your domain name pointed to it, you will need to subscribe to a separate web hosting plan.

Related Questions

Can You Own a Domain Forever?

The short answer is no. Domain names are typically sold for one-year up to ten-year periods. But technically, if you hire a domain proxy service, they can keep track of your domain name and keep renewing and re-registering it before your ownership of the domain expires. Domain proxy providers can keep on doing this permanently, and you will essentially own the domain name forever.

Read more about buying a domain permanently here.

Do I Really Need a Web Host?

Yes, you need a web host to make your website available on the internet. A domain name (your site’s address) and a web host (your site’s storage) work hand in hand to make your site readily accessible online.

Can I Host My Own Website?

In essence, yes, you can host your own website. But this is not advisable since computers need to be highly specialized for this function. You will need your computer to be online all the time and be able to allocate the amount of bandwidth and storage that your site needs. The bigger your website, the more resources in terms of energy, storage, and bandwidth it will need. And this is something that a home setup cannot keep up with.

 

Categories
Domain Names How To Guides Resources Web Hosting

Can I Buy a Domain From One Company and Use It at Another Web Host?

The first step in beginning a website is choosing a good business domain name. Step two is getting a web host. But what if your domain registrar and web hosts are different? Did you just waste money paying for these website building essentials? Or is there a workaround?

Can you buy a domain name from one company and use it at another web host? The short answer – Yes. You can purchase a domain name from one company and point it to another web hosting provider. Doing so is all possible since domain names and website hosting plans can be purchased separately, and also if you own both the domain and the hosting plan.

Paying for a domain name from one registrar and then using that domain at another web host may sound complicated. But don’t worry. In this article, we will guide you on the process and answer more relevant questions about domain names, hosting, and website building.

What Is the Difference Between a Domain and Hosting?

Let us clear up the confusion about domain names and web hosting.

First, a domain name is the series of letters, numbers, and hyphens typed in the search bar of a browser and then redirects you to a website or web page. A domain name is unique to each website. It is also called a URL (uniform resource locator).

In contrast, web hosting refers to the service provided by companies (web hosts) where server space is allocated to a specific website. Web hosts allow its users to store, record and manage files relevant to running a website.

Can You Buy a Domain Without Hosting?

Yes, you can purchase a domain without a web host and vice versa. However, with only a domain name, there is no way for you to save and manage the files needed to run a website.

You can still keep the domain name as yours by turning the domain into a parked domain.

Where Do I Buy a Domain? And How Much Does it Cost?

Domain names are sold through domain name registrars. These registrars are accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), and they will list your personal information as the owner of the domain in the ICANN registry. A few examples are BlueHost, GoDaddy, NameCheap, DreamHost, FatCoz, and many more.

When buying a domain name, you are essentially paying for the domain registration fee. The yearly fee can be as low as $1 to $20 or more. The domain name registration fee will increase depending on the top-level domain (whether .com, .org, .co.uk, or other country-specific domains), keyword, and whether or not the site has an existing owner.

Where Do I Buy a Web Host? And How Much Does it Cost?

A quick Google search will tell you that there are multiple web hosting providers available today. In fact, most domain name registrars also offer web hosting services, and vice versa. Web hosts typically bill every month, but you can still pay yearly or biennially. Some web hosts even include free domain names.

To save you time searching for the best web hosting provider, feel free to check our web hosting options that can save you money and offer as much as $1,474 in bonuses!

Tips For Buying a Domain

Before you take the plunge of buying a domain, keep in mind these best practices when choosing a suitable domain name:

1. Choose a Short Domain

Shorter domain names are quicker to type and easier to remember. Go for two to three words in your domain name. If you are using your business name as your domain, omit words like Inc, corp, or company.

2. Go for a Brandable Domain

A brandable domain name is a memorable one. Pick a domain name that matches your business image or your personality. You may also choose a domain composed of made-up words that can be distinctly associated with your brand or site.

3. Select a Top-Level Domain

Next, always go for top-level domains like .com, .net, or .org. These are the most popular TLDs, and, often, website visitors trust websites with these top-level domains more.

Also, if you are opening a local online store or an area-specific blog whose target audience are people living in a specific location, you may choose a geographic domain or TLDs like .au, .co.uk, or .kr.

4. Match With Your Website and Business Names

Choose a domain name that matches your website and company names. Doing so is especially important if you want to establish or if you already have a good branding identity for your business.

Matching website URL and website names also make it more convenient for your page visitors to remember. Check out this article for more tips on choosing the best domain name for your business.

How to Point a Domain Name to Another Web Host

Now that you have picked a good domain name and subscribed to a web hosting plan, the next step is to make sure that your domain is pointed to the right web host.

Here are the steps to do that:

1. Find Out Your DNS Servers or Name Servers from Your Web Host

To accomplish this step, you can either ask your web host’s support team or tinker around your web hosting account’s Control Panel.

A name server will look like ns1.domainsample.com, ns2.domainsample.com. Web hosts may have two to three name servers, so make sure to note them down exactly as they were written.

2. Go to Your Domain Registrar Account to Update the Settings

Next, log in to your domain name registrar account. Then, go to the Settings page and look for the Domain Manager option. Click the option to modify or change it and enter the DNS Servers or Name Servers you’ve noted earlier.

Remember that different domain registrars will have different button names and process of changing the DNS servers. To ensure that you are updating the correct setting, you may directly consult your registrar’s Help Page or ask the support team.

And that’s it! When done right, typing your domain name or URL in a browser’s search bar will redirect you to your website.

Now that you’ve learned that purchasing domain names and web hosting plans from different companies is okay, you can finally start building your website (if you haven’t begun yet!). If you need help in choosing a domain name, use of online domain name generator. It’s free.

Naming Generator Domain Search Image

Related Questions

Can You Buy a Domain Owned by Someone Else?

Yes, you may purchase a domain owned by someone else. But be prepared to pay more for the domain. As of 2019, the most expensive domain name sold was for Voice.com at $30 million.

Can You Buy an Expired Domain Name?

If a registrant or domain owner does not renew a domain after a thirty-day grace period, the domain name will go into an auction for seven (7) days. You may purchase the expired domain during the auction period. Most high-value domains will fetch a large sum during this time.

However, if the expired domain is not sold during the auction period, it is considered either a closeout domain or a dropped domain. In both cases, the domain name is listed back in the Registry.

Does Buying a Domain Name Get You an Email Address?

It depends. When you buy a domain name, some domain registrants offer packages that include free email addresses while some do not.

How Different is Domain Forwarding From Domain Masking?

Domain forwarding and domain masking both are services offered by web hosts and domain registrants. With domain forwarding, anyone entering your domain name on a web browser is redirected to your website. In this service, the entered domain name will change to your website’s domain name or URL. For example, mysampledomain.com may be redirected to mynewdomain.com, and the page visitor will see the new domain name.

In comparison, with domain masking, the originating domain name is retained once the page visitor is redirected to the new website. For example, mysampledomain.com may be redirected to mynewdomain.com, but the page visitor will still see mysampledomain.com as the domain name.

Sources:

 

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/what-2012-02-25-en

https://domains.google/learning-center/how-to-come-up-with-a-good-domain-name/

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190618005248/en/MicroStrategy-Sells-Voice.com-Domain-30-Million

 

 

 

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Industry Information Resources

How Much Does it Cost to Hire Someone to Build a Website

There has never been a more convenient time to start a website than today. That’s because the cost and resources of building, maintaining, and hosting a site are widely and affordably available to anyone on the internet. So if you want someone to build a website for you, one of the first things that you should consider is the cost of hiring a web developer.

How much does it cost to hire someone to build a website? Hiring a website developer typically costs between $75 and $9,000 or more. The fee range is wide because web developers can be paid on an hourly rate or a flat rate, depending on their job experience. To illustrate, newbie web developers may only demand a $75 hourly fee or a $300 flat rate for creating your website. In comparison, experienced web developers and designers can charge as high as $300 per hour or $15,000 project fee.

 All of this information may be a lot to take in for anyone who is still starting their blog sites or online stores. But don’t fret. In the rest of the article, we will offer a deep dive into everything you need to know before selecting a web developer who can help build your website.

What Do Web Developers Do?

Web developers create and write code for websites or web applications. They are responsible both for a site’s technical structure and visual design. Some organizations or freelance web developers may choose to focus on back-end or front-end web development aspects when building sites. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a web developer’s estimated yearly median wage is $73,760.

That’s why when you pick a web developer, you must narrow down what specific type of web developer you need for your site.

How to Choose a Web Developer for Your Site

A major advantage of hiring a web developer is you get to free up the time and effort for website building and put this energy into something more productive (like choosing the best business domain name, creating content, or coming up with a marketing plan). But how do you choose a good web developer?

1. Set Your Business Goals and Objectives

An essential first step when choosing a website developer is knowing what your business goals and objectives are. When you are clear of what specific business direction you want, select a web developer who deeply understands this too.

2. Be Clear on What Kind of Website You Need

Next, determine what kind of website you want. Do you want a unique blog site design, an eCommerce store, a membership website, or a combination of all of them?

By being clear of the type of site you need to host the type content (articles, photos, videos, etc.) you intend to publish, you will know what specific past projects and relevant experiences to look for when perusing your prospects’ resumes.

3. Set a Budget

As a website owner, you most likely only have a predetermined amount to spend on web development. Just remember to set a budget according to the pay range we’ve mentioned earlier. Note that the cost of hiring a web developer will increase the more complicated, more work-intensive, and more value-rich the end-product will be.

Also, be prepared to exceed your budget if you want a quick turnaround time or if you know you are paying for topnotch work.

4. Determine Your Payment Method

After setting a budget, it’s time to decide on how you want your selected web developer. You may opt for a monthly fee, a flat rate, or an hourly rate. If you prefer a single payment method, let any prospect know this beforehand.

When you set a payment method first, you can easily narrow down the web developers who can work with you. Nevertheless, be prepared to switch to a different payment method if your preferred web developer is more comfortable with another payment scheme.

5. Evaluate the Prospects Holistically

Whether you get your web developer prospects through a newspaper job ad or by going to an online job marketplace like Fiverr or Upwork, take the time to review each prospect’s resume and portfolio.

Look for past projects that match or closely resemble the website you need. Review past client feedback or ask around for referrals from your network, if possible. The time you put into this step will pay off later on in the website development process.

What Is Better When Hiring Web Developers: Paying an Hourly Rate, a Flat Rate, or a Monthly Rate?

There is no one best payment approach to follow when hiring web developers. It all depends on your project and specific business needs. Listed below are different scenarios that would help you choose a specific payment method. Just remember, you can combine a payment scheme with another payment method as you wish.

Pay an Hourly Rate If:

  1. You want your website done within the hour you specify and pay only for the hour spent on it.
  2. You want a clear calculation of the amount you need to pay your web developer.
  3. You want to use a time tracker to track time spent working on your site.
  4. You want to monitor everything that your web developer is doing and provide feedback accordingly.

Pay a Flat Rate If:

  1. You and your developer are on the same page on what the result should be and how much value this gives you.
  2. You want to leave your web developer alone to do his/her job properly.
  3. You have worked with the web developer before and already have an idea of his/her work.
  4. You want to work with a web developer who has a simple and efficient rate scheme.

Pay a Monthly Rate If:

  1. You want to save money by spreading out your payments while making sure that someone monitors your website over some time.
  2. You want your web developer to be contractually available for support even after the website is built.
  3. You want your web developer to monitor or update your website regularly.

Where Do You Find a Website Developer?

Just like any other job, you can easily find website developers through newspaper job ads. But in the digital age, website developers are available through two main ways:

1. Through Online Job Marketplaces

Online job marketplaces are platforms where anyone who wants to hire talent can post job advertisements. Some platforms are free, while other platforms charge a small fee. Today, most freelancers and side hustlers look for jobs on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Craigslist, Indeed, 99Designs, and many more.

If you want to hire a freelancer to build a personal or business website and pay a reasonable flat or hourly rate, these online marketplaces are the best sites to check.

2. Through Design Agencies

Another option when it comes to hiring a website developer is through a design agency. They tend to have a better reputation since they have a whole team and resources supporting them.

Choose this mode of finding a website developer if you want a dedicated group of people in charge of building your website. Web development agencies also often offer website builder packages that include web development, web design, and sometimes, content marketing services.

Yes, finding and hiring someone to create a website for you is that easy. Follow the steps and tips outlined above, and you will soon see our website online. And if you haven’t set up your domain yet, start by choosing a good domain name using our free online name generation tool.

Related Questions

What Is the Difference Between a Website Designer and Web Developer?

A website developer is someone who can write code, plan a site’s structure and layout, create content, and even monitor traffic to the site. A website development role encompasses multiple things.

On the other hand, a website designer focuses on one aspect of a web developer’s role. A web designer mainly plans and creates the visual structure or layout of a website. He or she focuses on user experience based on the site’s look and feel.

What Are the Different Types of Web Developers?

Web development jobs are categorized between these three types: Front-end developers, Back-end developers, and webmasters. Front-end web developers specialize in a website’s look and feel. They usually code in HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Back-end web developers focus on a site’s structure and how other coders or webmasters can use the site. They write code in various computing languages like Javascript, C+, PHP, to name a few. Lastly, webmasters are responsible for running a website on a day-to-day basis. They are well-versed in updating the site, checking backlinks, and maintaining the community around the website.

Sources:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm

 

 

 

 

Categories
Domain Names Industry Information

What Does Domain Proxy Mean?

Whether you are starting a professional business website or a personal blog, you also need to consider the impact that purchasing a domain name entails to your data privacy. For starters, you need to decide if you are willing to let your name, address, and other personal information be readily available online. If not, are you open to using a domain proxy service instead?

What does domain proxy mean? Domain proxy refers to both the role and the person assigned to act on behalf of the domain name’s owner or registrant. Any website owner can designate another individual or company (usually a domain proxy service provider) to act as a domain proxy. As the domain owner, you have the power to specify the actions that a domain proxy can do for you.

 Now that you know what a domain proxy is, the next question to answer is whether or not you need such a service. The following few tips will help you navigate the decision-making process, whether it’s a good idea for your business to get a domain proxy for your websites.

To Get or Not to Get a Domain Proxy

Domain proxy services are all about protecting your website and your privacy. But everyone’s priorities are different. That’s why we’ve shared below a short checklist that you can run through to help you determine whether getting a domain proxy is right for you or not.

Get a Proxy Domain If:

  1. You want peace of mind.
  2. You do not want to receive spam emails or calls from random people.
  3. You do not want your personal information freely available online.
  4. You do not want to deal with legitimate third-party correspondence.
  5. You want to maintain anonymity.
  6. You are under the Witness Protection Program.

Do Not Get a Proxy Domain If:

  1. You want the whole world to know that you own your website.
  2. You do not want to spend more on domain proxy or privacy service fees.
  3. You want to communicate directly with any legitimate third-parties who may be interested in your website.

Is Domain Proxy Worth It?

In terms of ensuring that your personal information and business details are protected from malicious prying eyes, domain proxy is definitely worth it.

However, we acknowledge that not all domain owners are in the same situation. Use the checklist above to get a better grip on what your goals for your website are.

What Does a Domain Proxy Do?

Choosing a brandable, short, and memorable domain is up to you, the domain owner, or registrant. However, if you are considering a domain proxy service, here is a list of functions that a domain proxy can do for you.

1. Replace Your Registry Details With Proxy Details

According to ICANN regulations, relevant personal data like name, address, and contact information should be sent to your domain provider’s registry. With a domain proxy service, any personal information is instead hidden, masked, or replaced with the domain proxy provider’s data.

2. Take Care of Correspondences for Your Domain

Now that your real contact information is replaced with your domain proxy service, all of your email or snail mail correspondences and texts or calls are forwarded to them. Some providers may give you a dedicated email address where these messages can be sent. This way, you do not have to deal with these solicitations personally.

3. Security Management

Domain proxy service providers also monitor your domain and prevent unauthorized access. Other domain privacy plans even include round-the-clock website monitoring to prevent and remove malware.

4. Billing Management

Domain proxies also serve as billing managers. Website owners can appoint them to make any billing-related decisions. In the same vein, registrants can also authorize different people or service providers to act as a technical proxy or admin proxy.

5. Prevent Domain Expiration, Cancellation, or Transfer

Another important function of a domain proxy is to ensure that your domain name stays your domain name. Domain proxy service providers will notify you if your credit card is about to expire and you need to renew your domain name. Domain proxies who have technical access can also disallow site cancellation or migration without the registrant’s explicit permission.

How Do I Protect My Domain Name?

Yes, you may have used a naming generator tool and secured a brandable and memorable domain name. But that is half the battle. Once your website is set up, you still need to protect your domain name. And here are a few things you can do:

Naming Generator Domain Search Image

1. Sign Up for Domain Proxy Service

Yes, sign up for a domain proxy service right away. These service providers will notify you a few days or weeks before your domain name expiry to prevent you from losing a good business domain name.

Some providers even step up their game and require your explicit permission before any changes (site transfer or cancellation) are made to your website.

2. Mark Your Domain Name’s Expiry on Your Calendar

Sometimes, nothing beats getting a task notification on your phone’s calendar. So, right after purchasing your chosen domain name, take note of its expiration date, and create a reminder on your calendars. You can do this on your smartphone’s calendar or the desk calendar. Also, just make sure to do the task right away when you receive the calendar notification.

3. Prepay Your Domain Registration Costs

Another method to protect your domain is to prepay the domain’s registration fees. Some domain hosts offer annual, biennial, 5-year, or even 10-year payment plans. Doing so also lets you save on the registration charges since you are paying ahead of time.

4. Update All Sites That Use an Expired Card

If you have recently changed or renewed your credit or debit card, remember to update the new card details in your domain host account. This way, your domain will not accidentally be canceled after unsuccessful payments towards an expired card.

What Is the Difference between Proxy Service and Privacy Service?

When it comes to preserving your privacy and protecting your domain name, domain owners can either use Privacy Services or Proxy Services.

With a proxy service, your personal or business information will not appear on the WHOIS database. Instead, the proxy service will replace your name, address, and contact information with their information. On the WHOIS database, they will act as the registered owner of your domain and all correspondences will be sent to the proxy service.

In contrast, a privacy service allows registrants or website owners to maintain their names as the owner of a domain, but they can use replacement yet still valid contact details. This means that the WHOIS database will reflect your name or business name, but you can designate different emails, contact numbers, and mailing addresses.

Now that you are armed with a good understanding of what a domain proxy is, you’ll be in a better position to determine whether you need it or not for your websites.

Related Questions

What Is the Difference Between Domain Fronting and Domain Proxy?

Registrant refers to the person or entity who purchases a domain name from a domain provider. Registrants can make changes to the domain name as long as timely payments for the domain are made to the domain provider.

On the other hand, a proxy refers to another person or entity who is authorized to act in place of the registrant. Proxies have varying levels of responsibility depending on the agreement between the registrant and the proxy. For example, there can be domain proxies for billing, admin, and technical aspects of a website.

What Is the Difference Between Proxy and Registrant?

Registrant refers to the person or entity who purchases a domain name from a domain provider. Registrants have the power to make changes to the domain name as long as timely payments for the domain is made to the domain provider.

A proxy, on the other hand, refers to another person or entity who is authorized to act in lieu of the registrant. Proxies have varying levels of responsibility depending on the agreement between the registrant and the proxy. For example, there can be domain proxies for billing, admin, and technical aspects of a website.

What Data Is Needed When You Register a Domain?

To register a domain, you will need to submit the following information: Name, Address, Email Address, and Contact Number. Other domain providers and registries may require more information depending on their rules and regulations.

Sources:

https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/privacy-proxy-registration-2013-03-22-en

https://whois.icann.org/en/privacy-and-proxy-services