When designing a website from the ground up, our website developers at Narrow Land work with you to create a website with a domain name that’s easy to remember and represents your company and brand. Once you have it in place, you don’t want to lose it.
A domain doesn’t cost a lot to purchase, but it can cost your business thousands of dollars if it stops working. If your domain goes down or expires, it will most likely affect your email as well. You can’t afford to miss emails from customers or vendors.
Read on for five best practices to make sure your domain stays active.
Consider buying your domain name for several years at a time, such as two or five years. This will reduce the chance that your domain will expire. You should set a reminder so that you won’t forget to renew.
Another option is to set your domain to auto-renew. That way, it happens for you automatically, and your registrar (a company such as GoDaddy.com that issues the domain name) will send a reminder that you will be charged soon for the auto-renewal.
Remember to update your credit card information to ensure a smooth renewal process.
When our web developers create a website, we include your contact information in the domain “WHOIS” record. This record contains contact information associated with the domain name. If your contact information is out of date, you could be locked out of your website. Periodically check to ensure this information is correct, and make sure to update it if it changes.
Another problem our web designers see is business owners who don’t know their username and password. Perhaps your domain was purchased by another website development company, a family member, or an employee. Whatever the case, record your password so that you can login to your site.
Your “WHOIS” record is public, which means that phishers have access to your contact information. They can use this to try to trick you or your employees into transferring your domain. In addition, many domain owners receive fake bills, which are meant to confuse you and convince you to transfer ownership of your domain to their company. Do not fall for these scams! Private registration isn’t essential, but it will hide your contact information from the public and reduce the likelihood of someone targeting your business for a phishing attack.
Both scammers and the registrar where you purchased your domain will email links to you asking you to login or confirm your domain information. To avoid phishing sites that want to steal your information, go directly to your registrar’s site and login.
Your domain name is a fundamental part of your business and allows visitors and customers to find you. Following these best practices will ensure your domain stays working and active.
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508-203-1023
396 Main Street
Suite 8
Hyannis, MA 02601
