Knowledge Guide

Why you need a domain for your business and How to start for Free

Rahul

Most people who are starting a business, including indie developers and small business owners, focus more on building their business and other official aspects. Not many people prioritize getting a domain. According to our research, a crucial part of any business is brand identity, which starts with owning a domain name for your product. In this age of marketing and selling things online, an online presence should be given high importance from the start. Let’s discuss domain ownership and more.

What’s a domain, Anyway?

I know you wouldn’t be reading this if you don’t know what a domain is. First things first, let’s break it down. A domain is your online address. It’s what people type into their browser to find your website. For example, “youramazingbusiness.com” is a domain. Think of it as your digital home on the internet.

Why should you care about having a Domain?

Now, you might be wondering, “Do I really need a domain? Can’t I just use social media or a free website builder?” In fact, all the business owners we have interacted with care more about social presence rather than having a domain registered. They think it’s a lot easier to manage a social network account compared to a domain registration. This is purely because of inadequate knowledge about the process. Moreover, domain registrars make it so hard for users with their onboarding process. So the quick gain is creating accounts on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. Well, sure, those are options, but having your own domain takes things to a whole new level. Here’s why:

1. You look more Professional

Imagine you’re looking for a freelance designer. Would you trust “awesomedesigns.com” or “awesomedesigns.wixsite.com/mysite”? The first one looks way more professional, right? That’s the power of having your own domain. It shows you’re serious about your business. It emphasizes your identity and gives people confidence in your brand.

2. It’s easier for people to find You

A good domain is short, sweet, and easy to remember. If someone hears about your business, they can easily find you online. No need to remember complicated usernames or long web addresses. People often say they own their handle (or username) on a social network. Remember, they are two different things. Creating a user account on a social media platform gives you a presence, but do you think you have any control if your account is blocked? This leads us to our next point.

3. You’re in control

When you have your own domain, you’re the boss of your online presence. You’re not at the mercy of social media algorithms or platform changes. Your website, your rules! It’s true. You can decide what content goes on your website. No company can block you for the data you post on the website. It’s completely yours as long as you pay an annual fee to keep your domain active.

4. It helps with Branding

As mentioned earlier, your domain is a big part of your brand. It’s how people recognize you online. A good domain can make your brand stick in people’s minds. Think about big brands like Amazon or Google – their domains are a huge part of their identity.

5. Better email marketing

With your own domain, you can set up professional email addresses like “[email protected]”. This looks way better than using a generic Gmail or Yahoo address. It adds a touch of professionalism to all your communications. And here is where Hellokea can help you. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to manage these email addresses. With Hellokea, you can choose a plan that can help you get started for free. Yes! Free.

6. It’s great for SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is super important for getting found online. Having your own domain can boost your SEO efforts. Search engines tend to favor websites with their own domains over those using free hosting platforms. But you may wonder what it means for your business? SEO can not only help you get traffic to your website but also can turn visitors into potential customers. A simple analogy is this - The more people walk around your tiny coffee shop, the greater the potential of them buying coffee from you.

But I’m just starting out

I get it. When you’re just starting, every penny counts. But think of a domain as an investment in your business. It’s not as expensive as you might think, and the benefits are huge. Plus, the sooner you get your domain, the better. You don’t want someone else snagging the perfect domain for your business! And, we do understand, it’s hard to find short ones these days. All you can do is find something that’s related. A classic example is like having a bouquet shop “Beautiful Flowers” and registering a domain like “getbeautifulflowers.com”. Though it’s not short, it’s easy to remember.

How to choose the right Domain

Picking a domain can be tricky, but here are some tips:

  1. Keep it short and simple
  2. Make it easy to spell
  3. Try to include your business name or keywords
  4. Stick with .com if you can (it’s the most recognized)
  5. Avoid numbers and hyphens – trust me, they can be really confusing

What If the domain I want is taken?

Don’t worry! There are plenty of options:

  • Try a different extension (.net, .org, .co)
  • Add a relevant word (like “get” or “try” before your business name)
  • Use a country-specific domain if you’re targeting a local audience

Ready to get started?

Getting a domain is easier than you think. There are tons of websites where you can buy domains. Just search for “domain registrar,” and you’ll find plenty of options. Most of them have simple step-by-step processes to help you find and buy your perfect domain.

We have our domain registered at Porkbun. It’s definitely not an advertisement and I am not paid for this. After extensive research, I found their pricing to be reasonable compared to other registrars.

Taking your business to the next level with Hellokea

Now that you’ve got your domain sorted, let’s talk about how to make the most of it. This is where Hellokea comes in – it’s a game-changer for small businesses and indie developers like you! Domain registration is one part, but you still need a website and an email account. There are lots of free hosting providers for your website. For email accounts and business inquiries, you can use Hellokea to handle all your emails. This way you can start for free and get going.

What’s Hellokea?

Hellokea is a super handy product that combines support, ticketing, and email management all in one place. It’s like having a personal assistant for your online business! All you have to do after creating your domain is forward your email from your domain to Hellokea.

How can Hellokea help you?

  1. Streamlined Customer Support: With Hellokea, you can easily manage all customer inquiries in one place. No more jumping between different platforms or losing track of messages.

  2. Professional Ticketing System: Hellokea provides a ticketing system that helps you organize and prioritize customer issues. This means faster response times and happier customers!

  3. Email Management Made Easy: Remember those professional email addresses we talked about? Hellokea helps you manage them efficiently. You can handle multiple email accounts from one dashboard, saving you time and headaches.

  4. Improved Team Collaboration: If you’re working with a team, Hellokea makes it easy to assign tasks, share information, and keep everyone on the same page.

  5. Customizable to Your Needs: Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or running a small team, Hellokea can be tailored to fit your specific business needs.

Why Hellokea is perfect for your new domain

Once you’ve got your shiny new domain, you’ll want to make sure you’re using it to its full potential. Here’s where Hellokea comes in:

  1. Professional Image: With your own domain and Hellokea’s sleek ticketing system, you’ll look like a much bigger company than you might actually be. This can really impress potential clients or customers!

  2. Efficient Communication: Hellokea allows you to manage all communications through your professional domain email. This means every interaction with your customers reinforces your brand.

  3. Scalability: As your business grows, Hellokea grows with you. You can easily add team members or upgrade features as needed.

  4. Time-Saving: By centralizing your support and email management, you’ll save countless hours that you can invest back into growing your business.

  5. Improved Customer Satisfaction: With faster response times and organized communication, your customers will feel valued and heard.

Bringing it all together

So there you have it! A domain is more than just a web address – it’s a crucial part of your online identity. It makes you look professional, helps people find you, gives you control over your online presence, boosts your brand, improves your marketing, and even helps with SEO.

And when you pair your new domain with a powerful tool like Hellokea, you’re setting yourself up for success. You’ll be able to manage your online presence like a pro, even if you’re just starting out.

Whether you’re an indie developer creating the next big app, a small business owner looking to expand, or someone just starting out with a brilliant idea, a domain and the right tools are smart investments in your future success.

Remember, the internet is a big place, and having your own domain is like planting your flag in this digital world. It says, “Hey, I’m here, and I mean business!” And with Hellokea backing you up, you’ll be ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way.

So why wait? Start looking for your perfect domain today, and consider giving Hellokea a try to supercharge your online presence. Your future self (and your business) will thank you!