So you’ve decided to build a website. That’s awesome. Maybe it’s for your small business, your side hustle, your dog’s fashion blog — no judgment here. You’ve picked your favorite website builder, maybe even started designing a homepage. But suddenly someone asks:
“What domain are you going to use?”
Cue the blank stare. 🫠
Let’s fix that. Because a domain name is one of the most important parts of your online identity, and it’s surprisingly easy to understand once you ditch the jargon.
Okay, So What Is a Domain Name?
Think of a domain name as your address on the internet. Just like your home address tells people where to find you, a URL, your domain, tells browsers where to find your website.
For example:
thebookstoreproject.com→ is a domain name.google.com,amazon.co.ukandthisisnotarealdomain.org→ all domain names.
It’s what people type in the search bar to visit your site and what they see on your business card, Instagram bio, and email signature.
Here’s how a domain works:
- You type
yourbusiness.cominto your browser. - The internet looks up where that domain “lives” (aka, what server it’s hosted on).
- Your website magically appears.
No wizardry, just clever tech doing its thing behind the scenes.
Domain Name vs. Website vs. Hosting: What’s the Difference?
Let’s clear up some common confusion.
🧱 Domain Name = your address
🏠 Website = your house (what people see and interact with)
📦 Hosting = your plot of land (where your website files live)
You need all three for a functional website.
How Do I Choose a Good Domain Name?
Glad you asked. This is where it gets fun.
A good domain is:
✅ Short and simple – Think peachyprint.com, not thebestaffordablegraphicdesignstudioever.org
✅ Easy to spell and remember – Avoid tricky words, numbers, or dashes
✅ Brand-aligned – Use your business name or something that reflects what you do
✅ Dot-com if you can – Still the gold standard, but .co, .studio, .shop, or country domains (like .gr or .nl) also work well
Bonus tip:
If your desired domain is taken, don’t panic. Try:
- Adding a verb:
getpeachyprint.com - Using your location:
peachyprintathens.com - A relevant extension:
peachyprint.design
Where Do I Buy a Domain Name?
You don’t actually buy a domain forever — you rent it, usually for 1–10 years at a time.
You can register a domain at a domain registrar, which is like a digital real estate agency.
Popular registrars include:
- Namecheap
- Google Domains (now moving to Squarespace)
- GoDaddy
- Hover
- Porkbun
Or, many website builders (like Squarespace, Shopify, or Wix) offer domain registration bundled with their paid plans. It’s a bit like buying furniture and having it delivered and assembled for you.
How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?
Typically:
- Standard domain (
.com,.net, etc.): €10–20/year - Premium domain (short, popular, in-demand): €100–€10,000+ (yes, really)
- Custom extensions (
.studio,.store, etc.): €20–€50/year
Most registrars offer discounts for the first year (watch out for renewal prices). And always enable auto-renew, so you don’t accidentally lose your domain to the abyss.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Domain in Under 10 Minutes
- Go to a domain registrar (like Namecheap.com)
- Search for your desired name using their search bar
- Choose your domain and check availability
- Add to cart and create an account
- Buy it for 1+ years
- Set up DNS to connect it to your website (if it’s not automatic)
- Celebrate! You officially have a piece of internet real estate 🎉
What If the Domain I Want Is Taken?
Ah, the heartbreak.
If yourbusinessname.com is taken, don’t despair. You can:
- Add a word:
getyourbusiness.com,yourbusinessonline.com - Use a different extension:
.co,.design,.studio,.store, etc. - Check availability with WHOIS to see who owns it — sometimes it’s for sale
- Consider a slight rebranding if needed (though tread carefully here)
In short: get creative, but stay on-brand.
Should I Buy Multiple Domains?
Maybe. Some businesses buy:
yourbusiness.com(main)yourbusiness.gr,yourbusiness.net,yourbusiness.shop(redirected)- Misspellings or variations (to catch typo traffic)
If you have the budget, owning multiple domains can protect your brand and boost search visibility. But it’s not essential when you’re starting out, just focus on one solid domain first.
Can I Change My Domain Later?
Yes, technically — but it’s a pain.
Changing your domain after launch involves:
- Updating all your links
- Redirecting traffic
- Risking a drop in SEO rankings (if not done carefully)
So it’s worth spending an hour or two now finding the right domain instead of rushing it.
What About Email?
A huge bonus of owning your own domain? You can create a professional email address.
Instead of:
📭 peachyprint2022@gmail.com
You get:
📬 hello@peachyprint.com
It’s small, but it builds a lot of trust.
Most registrars or hosting providers offer custom email as an add-on (or you can set it up with Google Workspace or Zoho Mail).
To Sum Up: Everything You Need to Know About Domains
✨ A domain name is your online address — like yourbusiness.com
🔍 You can search and buy domains through registrars like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or even through your website builder
💸 Costs range from €10–€30/year (unless you’re buying a premium domain)
🔗 Connect your domain to your website and set it to auto-renew
📧 Bonus: Use it for a custom email address to look professional
Choosing the right domain is like choosing the name of your shop — it’s the first thing people see and remember. Make it count.
And if you need help picking the right one, connecting it to your site, or just figuring out what all these DNS settings mean (you’re not alone), drop us a message. We’re a small studio that loves solving those “I have no idea how this works” moments.
