Create, build, and make the most of your business website

What is a domain name?

What’s in a name? When it comes to your website strategy, lots. Your “domain name” or “website address” is the words someone will type into their web browser to reach your website. It is your business’s identity online.

How to pick a good domain name. Your website’s domain name should be memorable, concise, and easy to share. It should be easy for customers to type, and also something you can quickly share in conversation and in written promotional materials. Try saying “Visit us at…” with your website’s name aloud. If it sounds awkward or takes too long, consider another option for your domain.

Website Naming Best Practices. Here are some helpful tips when naming your website.

• Keep it short. Do not exceed 2-3 words.
• Keep it simple. Shorter, uncomplicated names are easier to remember.
• Include keywords. Adding words about what you do or where you’re located, like “Bakery” or “Toronto,” can help customers find you at a glance.
• Avoid misspellings. Non-conventional spellings may be popular, but they can make your website difficult to find or seem suspicious.
• Letters only. Including numbers and dashes in your domain increases the odds of typos and can lower your perceived credibility.

Purchasing your domain

Once you’ve selected a list of possible site names, it’s time to check what’s available. And remember: If your favorite domain is already taken, don’t get discouraged!

Building and launching your website

Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of some real estate on the web! Now it’s time to build your website.

Hiring someone to build your website. One popular option for creating your website is hiring a developer to design and build it for you.

This is a good choice if you don’t have the time to focus on building your website yourself. It’s also popular if you have very specific, customized functions that you want your website to perform.

Using a website building platform. If you want to build your website yourself, try a website building platform. They make it easy for people with no coding or design experience to build beautiful, engaging websites with loads of functionality.

Many platforms offer pre-made website templates, and provide a full suite of features you can include with drag-and-drop simplicity, including adding images and videos, listing products, offering e-commerce capabilities, collecting reviews, responding to customer questions, and more. When choosing a website building platform, be sure to consider what you need your website to do, especially if you’re building an e-commerce site.

Selecting a website building platform. Here are some popular website building platforms to consider: