Domain names are one of the most critical aspects of any website’s success. They represent what your site is about, who you are, and what your customers want from you. A good domain name should be short, easy to remember, spellable, easy to type into a browser address bar, and unique enough so that people won’t confuse your site with another. A brandable domain is also important as it provides email address with that domain. This will generate trust with your professional email.
The first step when choosing a new domain name is to think about whether you’re looking for something long term (like a.com) or if you just want to use this domain temporarily while you build up traffic to your site (a second-level domain). If you’re planning to keep your domain name after launching your site, then you’ll probably want to go with a top-level domain (.com or .net.) This is because there’s a lot of competition for those top 10 spots, so it’s harder to get them than it is for other domains.
Check Domain Name Availability
Domain names are an important part of any website. They help establish trust and credibility for your business. They also play a key role in how well your site ranks in the search results.
But there are times when you may find yourself unable to purchase a suitable domain name. This could happen because someone else owns the same name, or it might simply be too expensive. In either case, it’s important to know whether you can buy the domain name you want.
If you go to namecheap.com or blacknight.ie ( if you are doing a domain search for a .ie domain) and use their domain search functions, you will see if your domain name choice is available.
Dot-com versus dot-ie
While dot-com domain names are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, the dot-ie domain is more exclusive. It is what is called a ccTLD (country code Top Level Domain), or a managed national internet address. Other ccTLDs include dot-co.uk (UK), dot-fr (France), dot-de (Germany) and dot-es (Spain).
Only registered companies can apply for a dot-ie domain suffix and, while it costs a lot more than a dot-com, all applications are thoroughly checked out, which can encourage consumers to conduct online transactions with that company. The IE Domain Registry (IEDR), which allocates dot-ie domains, believes that a dot-ie domain “conveys commercial credibility and respectability”.
Having a dot-ie domain should be considered a business decision, according to the IEDR. It establishes a company as an Irish company doing business in Ireland and, the IEDR says, it serves to differentiate the website from the “dot-com crowd”. In applying for a dot-ie domain name, the IEDR recommends making the application through a registered dot-ie re-seller, as it is generally cheaper than applying through the IEDR itself.
Source: localenterprise.ie
To register a .ie domain name, you need to meet certain requirements.
- To register an Irish.ie domain, you need to show that you’re connected to Ireland.
What can I do to prove that I really am connected to Ireland?
- You must have an Irish connection if you want to register an.ie domain name. You can do this in a number of ways:
- If you’re an Irish citizen, here are some things you need for domain registration: A valid Irish photo ID (passports, driving licenses, etc.)
- If Ireland is your country of residence, you need to provide proof of residence such as an official ID card, bank statement, or a receipt for rent paid.
- If you’re an Irish business, you need to show your registry number from the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
- If you’re not registered in Ireland, you may qualify for an exemption if you can prove that you are currently doing business with clients in Ireland. Examples include invoices, press release or previous marketing materials aimed at the Irish market, letters from solicitors, accountants or bankers confirming your current trade with the country, or your intentions to do so.
- Trademark owners from Ireland or Europe may also eligible for registration of a .ie domain.
If the registrant has not provided enough evidence for their identity, the registration authority may require additional proof.
When selecting a domain name, make sure you don’t pick a name that might be confusing or misleading. Avoid common misspellings like “the” or “of.” Also avoid naming your site something generic, such as “Web Design,” “SEO Services,” “Internet Marketing,” etc., unless they are part of your actual product or service. Instead, try to come up with a name that describes exactly what you do. You can find some great examples of domain names at GoDaddy.com.
You can register multiple domain extensions (.ie, .com,.net,.org,.biz), but only one extension can appear in your URL. So if you want to use.net, you must purchase the.net domain extension.
Domain Name Registration
Once you’ve chosen your domain name, you need to decide which domain name registrar to use. There are many options out there, including GoDaddy, Network Solutions, Register.com, and others. Each domain registrar has its own set of pros and cons, so consider these factors before making your choice. In order to register a .ie domain, you must use an Irish registrar such as Letshost.ie or blacknight.com
Finally, once you’ve registered your domain, you’ll need to point it to your hosting account. Most hosting companies offer simple instructions for doing this, but here’s a quick overview of what you need to know.
Changing the nameservers on a domain name is the easiest way to point the domain to your website hosting. You just navigate to the DNS Servers section and enter the nameservers of your hosting service and save changes. It can take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate fully.
You can also change individual records. You just need to know how to set up DNS records and what settings you should use. If you want to make changes to your domain name’s DNS record, follow these steps:
1. Log into your registrar account and go to the “Domain Management” section of DNS provider.
2. Click on the “DNS Records” tab.
3. Find the DNS Record you wish to modify (usually called “A”, “CNAME”, etc.) and click on its drop down menu.
4. Select “Edit”.
5. Enter the new IP address or hostname you would like to point to.
6. Save the changes.
7. Wait for the changes to take effect.
8. Repeat step 6 until all DNS records are changed.
9. Go back to the main screen and verify that all DNS records are correct.
10. Once everything looks good, log out of the website and wait a few minutes before trying to access the site again.
11. The changes should now be live!
Remember, whether you chose a .ie domain or a .com domain, the best domain name for your website is one that accurately reflects what your site does. It needs to be memorable, easy to type, and easy to spell.
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