How to Build a Website - Lesson #03: Domain Name Registration

Introduction

In this installment of our site-building course, we focus on an essential step in creating your online presence: registering a domain name. By following along, you will have a clearer understanding of how to choose an effective domain and get your site off the ground. If you’ve been keeping up with the previous lessons, you now have a niche, an arsenal of keywords, and a plan. Let’s dive into the process of selecting a domain name.

Choosing Your Domain Name

When it comes to domain names, you have a couple of options. Some people prefer to buy expired domains, but unless you have specific expertise or a clear idea of what you’re doing, this might not be the best route for beginners. Making significant investments in expired domain names can be risky and unnecessary for most individuals just starting out.

Instead, we can focus on selecting a brand-new domain name. For niches where the primary traffic source is social media, like Pinterest, a fresh domain may work just as effectively.

Finding an Available Domain Name

To find a suitable domain name, we utilize tools available in Zim writer, specifically the AI Vault and bulk Niche generator. By entering our niche, which in this case is 'home decor', we can generate numerous ideas for domain names.

Navigate to the Zim writer dashboard.
Click on AI Vault and select bulk Niche generator.
Enter your niche and generate a list of brandable domain names.

Additionally, if you wish to explore expired domains, you can use tools like Spam Zilla. This tool helps in finding recently deleted domains and assesses them based on various metrics like domain rating and trust flow. While I don’t recommend going all-in on this for beginners, it can be helpful if you're planning to create multiple websites.

Filtering Domains

When filtering through domains, look for those with a Spam Zilla score up to 20 and a domain rating of at least 5. It’s essential to avoid domains that are related to sensitive topics or that could infringe on existing trademarks.

Verifying the Domain Rights

Once you have chosen a potential domain, verify that it isn’t trademarked by conducting a quick trademark search online. Input the domain name and assess if it’s free from any claims.

Registering the Domain

When you’ve found the perfect domain name, it's time to register it. I prefer using Namecheap for domain registration due to their reliable service. Register the domain for a year to start, and utilize the auto-renew feature to avoid losing it. Over-committing to long terms isn’t advisable until you assess the site's performance.

Conclusion

Exciting times are ahead! With your domain name registered, you’ve completed a vital part of building your website. Moving forward, our next steps will involve setting up WordPress and preparing to create content based on the keywords we gathered earlier. The groundwork has been laid, and now we get to the fun part of building out the site and writing articles!

If you have any other suggestions or tips for selecting domains, feel free to leave a comment below. Don’t forget to check the links to Zim writer, keyword tools, and our Facebook group for additional support.

Keyword

Domain Name
Website
Registration
Home Decor
Expired Domain
Spam Zilla
Trademark Search
Namecheap

FAQ

1. What is a domain name?
A domain name is your website's online address. It helps users locate your site on the internet.

2. Why should I consider expired domains?
Expired domains can sometimes have backlinks that can help with SEO. However, they can also come with risks and legal issues.

3. How do I verify if a domain is trademarked?
You can conduct a trademark search through various online resources by entering the domain name to check for any registered trademarks.

4. How long should I register my domain name for?
It is advisable to start by registering your domain name for one year and enable auto-renew to keep it active.

5. What tool can help me in generating domain name ideas?
You can use tools like the Zim writer’s bulk Niche generator to brainstorm and find engaging domain names for your niche.