The first step of building a website domain name registration

In order to start a website, you must first have a domain name. But what exactly is a domain name? What is a domain name registration? It can all be confusing!

For those who are just starting out with websites, "domain name" may sound like a phrase in a foreign language. Oftentimes, people think they'll just log into the service, create a website, and -- in a blink of an eye! -- they're ready to go. But that's not exactly how it works.

There are actually many steps that must be done before creating a new website, and getting a domain name is the most important first step. Here's what you need to know:

What is a domain name?

A domain name is the address from which Internet users can access your website. Saying it's the name of your site is misleading, because the title you put on the home page could be something completely different...though, that's not desirable.

Your domain name should make it as easy as possible for people to find your business online. Ideally, it should be the name of your actual business. This takes all the guesswork out of knowing where to look when people want to find us.

If the name you choose is already in use, try to keep it as similar as possible by adding a number qualifier or some punctuation.

What is domain name registration?

Domain name registration is the act of reserving that name on the Internet for a certain period of time. Typically, it's a year, although some web hosting companies offer special rates if you want to keep your name for a longer period of time. It's worth noting that there's no way to keep a domain name forever, so if you forget to renew, someone else could take your domain name.

Domain registration is the first step in creating a website, because without a domain name, you cannot run any kind of web service. However, many web hosting services will allow you to use a subdomain of their main domain name for your website.

Do I have to register my own domain name?

Won't. Many web hosting companies, offer a free domain name and domain registration when you buy a web hosting plan, and will take care of everything for you. This is ideal for those who want to limit steps and do everything in one place.

How to start my website?

Once you have a domain name, you can start building your new website. Self-service website builders make it easy for users to get started, even if you have no previous experience. With a simple drag-and-drop editor and tons of customization options, you have complete control over your website.

The process starts below:

Get a self-service website builder

Getting a self-service website builder is very easy. Just go to this page and add it to your cart. Follow all the prompts and you're ready to start designing and launching your website with the first steps. Here are a few things to do right away:

• Custom website title and logo
• branded colors
• unique font
• Original headers and footers
• Custom JS and CSS

As an added bonus, you can use your new website in a staging environment before going live, and if you don't like the website you've created, a quick "start over" feature lets you jump back to square one.

Get your domain name registered

Domain name registration is just one step in creating a unique, professional website. Once you've signed up for a self-service website builder, you're ready to build a beautiful website. It truly is your one stop website building shop!