You racked your brain to come up with just the right name for your business online. Now you’ve registered a domain name — a name that perfectly represents who you are and what you’ve got to offer.
Maybe you've registered a .com or went with a descriptive domain extension to name your online presence. So, what’s next?
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Want to register another domain name? Here’s your chance.
If you’ve registered a domain name, you probably have some idea of what you want to achieve, but you might not know where to start. Follow along as I break down a few options that might make sense for you and your business.
I’ll bet more than one will fit the bill.
Related: 10 tips for choosing the perfect domain name
Editor's note: Ready to get started with a website? Check out GoDaddy's Website Builder for free or take a look at our AI-powered solution, GoDaddy Airo.
You’ve registered a domain name. Here are 4 ways to use it.
There’s more to domain names than websites — you can do so much more (though the website is pretty important).
- Use your domain for a custom email address.
- Create a website that’s attached to your domain.
- Get an online store that’s attached to your domain.
- Sell your domain name.
Let’s look more closely at each option.
1. Use your domain for a custom email address
You’re a professional, so why are you still using that personal Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, MSN (you get the picture) email address you created 10 or even 20 years ago?
If the email you’re using to communicate with customers isn’t branding your business, then it’s time you kick that free email to the curb and set up a custom email using the domain you just purchased.
If you register a domain, you can set up a personalized email address such as YourName@yourdomain.com. That’s so much better than YourFirstandLastName_1975@gmail.com, right?
You can put that custom email address on your business cards, the side of your car, everywhere you promote your business.
By Creating a Business Email with GoDaddy, not only will you get 24/7 customer support, but you’ll also get as many email aliases as you’d like (so you can have sales@yourdomain.com, support@yourdomain.com and anything else you can think up).
You’ll look more professional, credible, and with so many email address options, you can guarantee that emails are going to the right people. You can also use an email alias to diversify your email account.
Related: How to create an email address with your domain name
2. Create a website that’s attached to your domain
Chances are, you had a website in mind when you set out to secure a domain name. Your domain name is the heart of your website address. And everyone keeps telling you that you need a website for your business.
Your website is the center of gravity for your online presence.
A website gives you a branded, dedicated space to share your contact information, a rundown of your services, a snapshot of what your business is all about, a portfolio of your amazing work, customer reviews and links to your social media accounts.
And did I mention it’s perfect for businesses that want to expand their reach and attract NEW customers?
But understanding the benefits of having a website for your business and actually creating one are two very different things. I know, it might feel scary.
Related: How to start a website from A to Z — A 5-step guide
You basically have three options: each with its own cost and specific end result. If you’re wondering how much does a website cost (you can see some price estimates here), it depends on who builds it and what it does. Let’s look at each option:
Hire a professional website designer
This option will cost you more but require less of your time. In most cases, you’ll need to supply the content for your website — including text and images — but a designer can put it all together to give you a beautiful, highly functional website.
Editor’s note: The experts at GoDaddy’s Website Design Service can create a mobile-friendly, beautiful site that reflects your industry while following your lead and input.
Do it yourself with a content management system (CMS)
If you’ve got some skill, you can build a site using a popular CMS like WordPress.
WordPress is an awesome choice for many website owners because the platform allows for a great deal of customization and flexibility.
Want to build a WordPress site but don’t feel like handling all the technical stuff on your own? You might want to check out our easier way to get started with WordPress.
GoDaddy’s Managed WordPress Hosting features a Quick Start Wizard to get your new WordPress website up and running in a snap. Featuring eight pre-built customizable pages, easy drag-and-drop page building, and quick access to thousands of WordPress plugins, there’s virtually no limit to what you can create.
You’ll also get 24/7 support, core software updates and patches, free daily backups and one-click restore, a free domain with an annual plan and more.
Related: How to build a WordPress website in 7 steps
![GoDaddy WordPress Themes]](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/wp-content/uploads/youve-registered-a-domain-name-wordpress-themes.jpg?size=3840x0)
Do it yourself with a simple-to-use website builder
You don’t need any design experience to build a lovely site via the affordable DIY solutions available, including GoDaddy's Website Builder. Choose your industry, customize it, and hit “publish.” Just like that, your website is live.
Related: Create a free website in 5 steps
GoDaddy’s Websites + Marketing also has templates for a variety of industries. You can even give the templates a test run before you decide if GoDaddy’s website builder meets your needs.
Related: How to plan a website
3. Get an online store that’s attached to your domain
With a custom ecommerce site, you can sell your products, track your orders, collect payments, and manage your inventory all in one place.
You’re looking at basically the same options for creating an online store — hire a pro or do it yourself with an easy-to-use online store builder (like GoDaddy’s Online Store) or an ecommerce plugin for WordPress and the like. We like WooCommerce.
Since GoDaddy’s Online Store is built into the Websites + Marketing structure, you can build your store quickly and start receiving payments immediately. You’ll have easy access to appointment setting, inventory management and more, all while staying mobile-friendly.
But, what if you’ve registered a domain name that’s perfect and invested the effort into launching an online store — and no one ever finds you?
An ecommerce solution like GoDaddy Online Store can help. How? It includes a built-in SEO wizard, smooth integration with Google My Business, and marketplace selling features that enable you to easily sell products on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Walmart and Etsy and manage your orders and inventory all from one place.
Nice!
Related: How to start an online store
Pro Tip: Check out our list of top trending products to get some ideas on what you could sell on your new online store.
4. Sell your domain name
Stuff happens. Maybe inspiration struck at 3 a.m., when an amazing new domain name woke you from a dead sleep. And that other domain you already registered? It can still help you out.
Someone, somewhere, might be willing to pay for that domain name.
You can get it in front of interested buyers via domain aftermarket sites that only take a small percentage of the sale.
One such aftermarket option is GoDaddy Auctions.
For an annual fee and a percentage of the sale, you can list your domain name for auction or set a “buy now” price and GoDaddy will handle all the details.
Related: 5 tried-and-true tips for selling domain names for profit
Put that domain name to work!
Your domain name is no use just sitting in your account collecting dust — so take it out for a spin and see what wonders it can do!
You’ll be amazed.
Ready? Go forth and put your domain name to work for your business!
*AI-assisted full website including all of the premium features like online store, appointment scheduling, and marketplace selling to name a few, requires paid subscription.
Social media marketing calendar available with GoDaddy Airo, some features will require paid subscription.
Professional Email through Microsoft Office 365 30-day free trial with an option to renew into a paid subscription beyond the promotional period.
While the LLC starter plan is free, there are likely some state and/or local filing fees associated with your filing which will be determined during the filing process.
