You have made the leap and decided to start your own business. You know what you want to do and what you are going to call yourself. So what next is how do you get online?
First things first, you have to register your domain name.
Once you have that perfect domain name secured, you can crack on, because registering your domain is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more to be done to kick-start your new business venture. Here is a list of essential things that we’ve put together to help you, if you are wondering, ‘I have a domain name now what?’
Things To Do After Buying a Website Domain
Here’s a list of what to do after buying domain for your website
1. Secure Matching Social Media Names/URLs
Social Media plays a huge role in marketing a new business and creates brand awareness. So, the first thing to do with a domain name, is to register as a new user on all the relevant social media platforms. Try to register the same name across all channels; Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google+, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.
Further Reading: How to Use Pinterest for Marketing Your Business
2. Register Your Business
If you are starting a new online business, and the domain is part of that business, then you will need to officially register the new business. You can operate as a sole proprietor or partnership or LLC or a corporation. It is best to speak to an accountant to determine which is the most suitable.
You can also find some really useful information here; https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business-uk or watch this video to learn more.
3. Register a Trademark
Post buying a domain name, you should decide about registering a trademark for your new business, especially if it is unique and is going to be the next big household name! A trademark offers protection against infringement and allows the trademark holder to take legal action. You can do this yourself, by applying to register a trademark or you could speak to a trademark attorney.
4. Setup Website Hosting
Registering the domain is only one part of an online presence. For setting up a domain name, you will need to set up website hosting as a home for your new website. There are many different types of hosting, but when you are purchasing hosting, you want to look into the following web hosting features:
- Bandwidth and Size
- Mail Boxes and SSL
- Control Panel Access
- Reliability and Security
- Customer Service and Technical Support
Further reading: Best web hosting services for your website in 2020
5. Create Email Addresses
Once the domain is bought and the hosting is set up, you can create your unique email ids – me@newbusiness.com. You may decide to set it up through Google Apps, which allows you to have a unique business id.
6. Setup Communication Channel
Your business is its own entity and should have its own communication channels. This means that you should get a business telephone line. If you need to, you can forward this number to a cell phone or another landline number. You could also set up a toll-free 0800 number if it is appropriate for your business or customers.
We really think Skype is a cracking option for small businesses, and they also have business telephone number service.
7. Get a Business Address
If your business is based at your home, you may want to consider getting a PO Box for all your business correspondence. It also keeps the home address of all your marketing material and looks more professional.
8. Design and Build Your Website
With everything else in place, it is time to look at building your online identity. Having a website is like having a shop front on the Internet. It becomes the hub of your business and all your marketing efforts. Websites are used by different businesses in different ways, you have to figure out how you will use yours:
- As a brochure site
- Offering products in an online shop (eCommerce website)
- Offering services
- Lead generation
- An online blog
There are many different platforms available for you to build a website on, some DIY and some that require experts. We recommend that you consider the following when deciding:
- Ensure that your site has a Responsive design.
- Build your website on a content management platform like WordPress.
- Ensure you have a bespoke design for your business.
- The website should also have a well-thought-out UX, to enhance the customer experience.
- It should be SEO optimised – Keywords relevant to your business, landing pages built with SEO in mind, great coding, call-to-actions, etc. Learn more about how SEO and web design work together.
9. Business Identity Packs
The one tangible thing that everyone still expects when you have face-to-face meetings is the trading of business cards. There is just something reassuring about giving and receiving a business card, and a well-designed one goes a long way in showing off your brand at the first opportunity. Other marketing collaterals that you may consider are; Brochures, Flyers and Presentations.
Take a look at the Branding services we offer.
10. Digital Marketing
SEO (search engine optimization) is only one technique from an extensive digital marketing toolbox. Other things you may look at are; Social Media, Content/Inbound marketing, PPC or Adwords, Affiliate schemes and other internet marketing techniques.
Some of the Other Things to do After Getting a Domain Name
- Add SSL to Your Domain Name
Ever noticed the little green padlock on our web address bar? That’s what SSL is. Short for Secure Socket Layer, SSL helps secure the data (personal/ credit/debit card information) transferred from the customers’ web browser to your website server. A site that uses SSL, has “https” before the website name, for eg; https://www.mambamedia.com/. Apart from being a Google ranking factor, SSL helps boost customer trust and safeguards your website from cyber threats.
- Site Verification With Google Search Console
With millions of websites on the Internet, verifying the site, you claim to own is important. The verification process is quite simple and straightforward, and you can do so with the help of Google Search Console. Go here to read more about Google site verification. Once your site is verified, you can also make use of Search Console to identify and fix problems related to 404 errors, DNS and server errors, duplicate/thin content, etc.
- Add Google Analytics
While Search Console helps you to fix website-related problems, Google Analytics helps you to understand user behaviour on your website. From website traffic to bounce rate and page views to referring traffic, Google Analytics provides you with an overview of all the important stats that can help you to make an informed decision.
Further reading: Beginner’s Guide to Google Analytics
How We At Mamba Media Can Help?
While buying a web domain is easy, setting up a website with the said domain can be a challenge. Thus, if you have already purchased a domain & hosting and want to build a website, but not sure how to go about it, then we can help. You can check out our portfolio to view some of the works we have done. Apart from website design and development, we also offer services in other areas of digital marketing. The top things our clients are looking for are:
- Branding Services
- Web Design and Development
- SEO and PPC Management
- WordPress Services
- Social Media
- Content Marketing
- Analytics and UX
If you are interested in speaking about building a website for your business (or anything else), please feel free to get in touch.
