You knew you needed a domain name, and GoDaddy helped you snag the perfect one. Congratulations! Now here’s where the real fun begins, because a domain name can’t do anything by itself.
Think of it like a big bowl of baking flour. There’s limitless potential to what it can become, but until then, it’s just kind of sitting there, possibly confusing people looking for sugar. Let’s turn that into tiramisu.
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your new domain name.
Have a game plan
Before figuring out what to do with your domain name, you need to figure out what you want your domain name to do for you.
That might sound a little confusing, but hear me out.
Your domain name is the keystone of your online presence. When people want to know about your business, your domain name is what they’ll search for. What is it you want them to see? Where do you want it to lead them? What do you want them to be able to do on your site?
Once you have a good idea of WHAT you want your site to do, then we can get started on HOW we’re going to get there.
Link it up
A great first step is to connect your domain name to your social media profiles. Keep in mind you’re likely opening up your content to new viewers, so you’ll probably want to use a professional site, like LinkedIn or an approved Facebook page. Of course, if your parody Twitter account written from the point of view of Justin Trudeau’s Portuguese water dog is appropriate for your audience, go for it. Connecting your page is easy.
This is a great way to get your domain pointing to content quickly. Now if all you want your domain to do is lead the way to your other profiles, you’re done.
But if you want your domain name to do a little more for you, let’s talk website.
Photo by Whitney Wright on Unsplash
If you build it, they will click
A good, user-friendly website is the bread and butter of any business. Or, cheese curds and gravy. And the domain name is the fries.
Okay, that’s enough food metaphors.
The point is, now that you have your perfect domain name, you’re going to want a beautiful website to back it up, working for you 24/7.
There are a lot of ways to get a great site, from digging through the code yourself, to hiring a web designer. But even if you don’t know your CSS from a hole in the ground, we have you covered. With GoDaddy Website Builder, you can build your own website in under an hour, no technical skills required.
All you have to do is type in your business name, pick a template, and publish. You can even edit and publish from your phone, so you can add content on the fly.
You can start for free, to see just how easy and intuitive the process is. And, more importantly, when people type in your name, they will see a professional website.
Work it
One of the most powerful effects of having your own domain name is the air of professionalism it gives you. But now that you’ve bought the domain, you may not know how to really capitalize on it. There are a few ways you can really drive home that you have taken your business to the level.
Much like a domain name raises your business above the noise, a professional email address can lend even more credibility to your venture. Consumers typically don’t trust free email addresses, and often won’t even read the email itself. At best they think you haven’t taken your business seriously, and at worst they’ll chuck it in the digital bin as spam. However, if you get an email address that matches your domain name, you’re telling your audience that they can trust you, and that you have something important to say. You can learn more about professional email here.
If you’re the kind of person who needs your office with you everywhere you go, Microsoft Office 365 can give you access to everything you need, wherever you are. It’s a great way to make sure you are always connected to your business, without feeling chained to your desk. And as your business grows, you’ll already be set up for success with cloud-based systems that make collaboration and sharing a breeze. Check out the tiers here.
And last but not least, if you are looking to sell goods online, you’re no longer bound by third-party websites. With Online Store you can set up your own store, manage inventory, and even attract new customers through social media with integrated marketing tools.
From flexible payment processing to customizable shipping methods, you’ll have control over every aspect of your store.
So there you have it. Hopefully this has answered some of your “what now” questions, but if you want a little more guidance, give us a call. We’ll be happy to talk about all the cool stuff you can do with your new domain.
