Registering a .company domain establishes your business’s online identity. A .company domain conveys professionalism and credibility, making it easier for customers to find and trust your brand online.
Choosing the right domain name and registering it with a reputable registrar ensures your business can create a strong online presence. The process of registering a .company domain involves several key steps.
With a .company domain, you can create a memorable web address that reflects your brand and helps you stand out from competitors. Here’s what you need to know about .company domains and how to register one for your business in 2024.
Contents
- What is a .company Domain?
- Why Register a .company Domain?
- How to Register a .company Domain
- 1. Choose a Domain Name
- 2. Select a Domain Registrar
- 3. Register the Domain
- 4. Configure Your Domain Settings
- 5. Connect the Domain to Your Website
- Benefits of Registering a .company Domain
- Tips for Maintaining Your .company Domain
- Final Thoughts
What is a .company Domain?
A .company domain is a top-level domain (TLD) extension specifically designed for businesses and organizations. It clearly identifies the website as belonging to a company, establishing a professional online presence.
- Credibility: A .company domain conveys legitimacy and professionalism, helping your business build trust with potential customers. It shows you’re a serious company with a dedicated online presence.
- Branding: With a .company domain, you can create a memorable web address that aligns with your brand name. This reinforces your brand identity and makes it easier for customers to find and remember your website.
- Availability: As a newer TLD, .company domains offer more availability compared to popular extensions like .com. You have a better chance of securing your desired domain name with a .company extension.
Why Register a .company Domain?
Registering a .company domain offers several advantages for your business:
- Trust and credibility: A .company domain shows customers you’re a legitimate business, increasing their confidence in your brand. It demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and helps you stand out from competitors using less credible domain extensions.
- Brand recognition: A memorable .company domain aligned with your brand name makes it easier for customers to find and remember your website. It reinforces your brand identity across all online channels, from your website to email communications.
- Online identity protection: Securing your .company domain prevents others from registering it and potentially damaging your brand reputation. It ensures you have control over your company’s online presence and protects against cybersquatting or misuse of your brand name.
- SEO benefits: While exact match domains are less important for SEO today, a relevant and descriptive .company domain can still provide a slight boost in search engine rankings. It helps search engines understand your website’s purpose and can improve click-through rates from search results.
How to Register a .company Domain
Registering a .company domain involves several steps to secure your business’s online identity.
- Choose a Domain Name
- Select a Domain Registrar
- Register the Domain
- Configure Your Domain Settings
- Connect the Domain to Your Website
1. Choose a Domain Name
Selecting the right domain name is the first step in registering a .company domain. Your domain name represents your brand online, so make it count.
- Keep it short and memorable: Aim for a domain name that’s easy to remember and type. Shorter domains are more likely to stick in your customers’ minds. Avoid overly long or complicated names that could lead to typos or confusion.
- Make it relevant to your brand: Choose a domain name that reflects your company’s identity. Incorporate your brand name, tagline, or a relevant keyword that describes your business. A domain that matches your brand name helps customers find you online more easily.
- Avoid hyphens, numbers, and special characters: Keep your domain name simple and straightforward. Hyphens, numbers, and special characters can make your domain harder to remember and communicate verbally. Stick to letters and words that are easy to spell and pronounce.
- Consider keywords: While exact match domains are less important for SEO today, including a relevant keyword in your domain name can still be beneficial. Choose a keyword that reflects your business or industry, but don’t sacrifice brand clarity for the sake of keywords.
- Check domain availability: Before settling on a domain name, check its availability using a
. If your desired domain is taken, consider variations or alternative extensions. With .company being a newer TLD, you have a good chance of securing your preferred name.
2. Select a Domain Registrar
Choosing the right domain registrar streamlines the process of registering your .company domain. A reputable registrar offers reliable service, security, and support when you need it.
- Customer support availability: Select a registrar known for providing responsive and knowledgeable customer support. Whether you have questions about domain management or need technical assistance, having access to a helpful support team makes a significant difference.
- Pricing and value: Compare pricing among registrars, but also consider the value of included features. Some registrars offer competitive pricing on .company domains, along with additional benefits like free WHOIS privacy protection or email hosting.
- Domain management tools: Look for a registrar that provides user-friendly domain management tools. These tools allow you to easily update your domain settings, manage DNS records, and set up email accounts associated with your .company domain.
- Security measures: Choose a registrar that prioritizes security. Features like two-factor authentication, domain lock, and secure DNS help protect your domain from unauthorized transfers or changes.
When evaluating registrars for your .company domain, consider their reputation, pricing, included features, and customer support. Select a registrar that offers a balance of affordability, reliability, and useful tools to manage your domain effectively.
3. Register the Domain
Once you’ve chosen your perfect .company domain name and selected a registrar, it’s time to make it official. Registering your domain is a straightforward process:
Provide Your Information
First, you’ll need to provide your contact details, including your name, email address, and phone number. Make sure to use accurate information, as this will be associated with your domain registration. You’ll also need to enter your payment information to complete the registration.
Select Your Registration Period
Next, choose the length of time you want to register your .company domain. Most registrars offer registration periods ranging from one to ten years. Consider your long-term plans and budget when deciding on the registration period. Keep in mind that longer registration periods often come with discounted pricing.
Complete the Registration
After reviewing your domain details and registration period, confirm your purchase. Your registrar will process the registration and update the domain database to reflect your ownership. Congratulations! You’re now the proud owner of a .company domain.
4. Configure Your Domain Settings
After registering your .company domain, you’ll need to configure its settings to ensure it works properly with your website and email.
Update Your Domain’s Nameservers
Nameservers connect your domain to your website’s hosting service. Log in to your registrar’s control panel and locate the nameserver settings for your domain. Update the nameservers to point to your web hosting provider. Your hosting company will provide you with the specific nameserver addresses to use.
Set Up Email Accounts
Take advantage of your new .company domain by setting up professional email addresses for your business. Create email accounts using your domain, such as info@yourcompany.company or sales@yourcompany.company. Your registrar or hosting provider will have instructions on how to set up and manage these email accounts.
Create Subdomains
Subdomains allow you to organize and separate different sections of your website. For example, you might create a subdomain for your blog (blog.yourcompany.company) or for an online store (shop.yourcompany.company). Set up subdomains through your registrar’s control panel or your hosting provider’s domain management tools.
5. Connect the Domain to Your Website
After configuring your domain settings, the final step is connecting your new .company domain to your website. This ensures that visitors can access your site using the new domain name.
Update Your Website’s DNS Settings
Login to your website’s hosting control panel and locate the DNS settings. Add a new CNAME record that points your .company domain to your website’s existing domain. If you’re using a website builder like WordPress or Shopify, they provide instructions on how to properly update your DNS settings to connect your new domain.
Configure Your Hosting Account
In your hosting account, add your new .company domain as an addon or parked domain. This tells your hosting server to recognize and respond to requests for your new domain. If your hosting plan includes cPanel, you can easily add your domain through the “Addon Domains” or “Parked Domains” section.
Ensure Your Website is Accessible
Once you’ve updated your DNS settings and configured your hosting account, test your website using the new .company domain. Enter your domain into a web browser and ensure that it loads your website correctly. It may take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to fully propagate, so if your site doesn’t load immediately, check back later.
After confirming your website is accessible via your new .company domain, update any existing links, marketing materials, or social media profiles to reflect the new web address. This helps direct traffic to your site using the professional and branded .company domain.
Benefits of Registering a .company Domain
A .company domain not only enhances your online presence but also supports your business growth in several ways. This unique domain extension offers numerous advantages:
- Instant Brand Recognition: Your domain name serves as your online brand identity. A .company domain immediately tells visitors that you’re a business, enhancing brand recognition and making a lasting impression.
- Competitive Edge: In a digital marketplace crowded with .com and .net domains, a .company domain stands out. It differentiates your business and gives you a competitive edge, attracting more visitors to your website.
- SEO Advantages: Search engines appreciate relevancy. A .company domain can improve your website’s SEO by making it more relevant to business-related searches, potentially increasing your site’s visibility in search results.
Tips for Maintaining Your .company Domain
Maintaining your .company domain requires attention to a few key aspects to ensure your online presence remains strong and uninterrupted.
Renewal and Contact Information
- Timely Renewals: Keep track of your domain’s expiration date and renew it before it lapses. This prevents service disruption and protects your domain from being registered by someone else.
- Updated Contact Details: Ensure your contact information is always current with your domain registrar. This helps you receive timely notifications about your domain and maintain control over it.
Monitoring and Security
- Regular Monitoring: Keep an eye on your domain’s performance and usage. Use analytics to understand visitor behavior and make informed decisions about your website’s content and structure.
- Enhanced Security Measures: Protect your domain from unauthorized transfers or changes by enabling security features like two-factor authentication and domain locking.
By following these tips, you can maintain a strong and secure online presence with your .company domain, supporting your business’s growth and success.
Final Thoughts
Registering a .company domain is a strategic move for any business looking to establish a strong, professional online presence. This domain extension offers clear branding advantages, sets you apart in the digital marketplace, and supports your SEO efforts. With careful selection, registration, and maintenance, your .company domain can become a valuable asset in your online strategy.
HostPapa understands the importance of a strong domain in building and maintaining your online presence. We offer a wide range of domain options, including .company, with the support and tools you need to succeed.