Are you ready to take control of your domain name? Whether you’re just starting out with a new website or have owned a domain for years, managing your domain name is a crucial part of maintaining your online presence.
Let’s get into the how and why of managing your domain name.
Explain
Your domain name is the unique address that allows people to find your website on the internet. It’s how customers and prospects remember you online and how they recognize your brand. That’s why it’s so important to keep a secure, up-to-date domain name, and why managing it is essential.
If possible give your unique domain a name that is easy for your customers, family, friends, and users, to remember. (JohnsBBQ.com is going to be easier to type and remember than JohnsBBQinTexason45street.com)
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of how to manage a domain name, from registering and renewing a domain to transferring it between providers. We’ll also discuss the importance of keeping your domain secure and how to do so. Let’s get started!
Registering a Domain Name
The first step in managing a domain name is to register it with a domain name registrar. A domain name registrar is a company that is authorized to register domain names with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). I recommend NameSilo and Porkbun who are fantastic registrars.
When registering a domain name, you’ll be asked to provide the following information:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your email address
- Your contact information
- Your payment information
Once you’ve registered your domain name, you’ll be given access to a domain control panel, or “dashboard”, where you can manage your domain name.
“Managing a domain name is an important part of keeping your website up and running.”
Renewing a Domain Name
Once you’ve registered your domain name, you’ll need to renew it periodically in order to keep it active. Part of your agreement of having a domain name is you have to pay the yearly rent! If you don’t then it will simply be taken from you. Most domain names are registered for one year at a time and must be renewed annually.
When you renew your domain name, you’ll be asked to provide updated contact information and payment information. You may also be asked to confirm other details such as your domain name’s technical settings and DNS records.
Transferring a Domain Name
If you decide that you’d like to switch domain name registrars, you can transfer your existing domain name to a new provider. This process is known as a domain name transfer.
In order to transfer your domain name, you’ll need to provide the new registrar with the authorization code from your current registrar. This code is usually provided when you first register your domain name and can be found in your domain control panel.
Once you’ve provided the new registrar with the authorization code, the transfer process can take up to five days to complete. During this time, your domain name will remain active and you won’t lose any of your website’s content.
During that 5-day period, it is normal for your domain name to act wonky (the website not working correctly) for at least 48 hours when transferring to a new registrar. This is known as. “DNS Propagation.” You can check the status of your domain names DNS here.
Domain Name Security
Once you’ve registered and renewed your domain name, it’s important to keep it secure. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your domain name is kept safe.
First, make sure to use a strong password for your domain control panel and to change it regularly. You should also enable two-factor authentication for added security. This will require you to enter an additional code or token when logging into your domain control panel.
Second, be sure to keep your contact information up to date. This will help to prevent anyone from attempting to transfer your domain name without your permission.
Third, learn how to install and turn on Dnssec. Learn about it here and thank me later.
(Optional), For added peace of mind, you can purchase with most registrars the Registry lock service. This is just another way to prevent your domain name from being hijacked by scammers. In most cases, I have found the Domain lock service which is free to be sufficient.
Finally, make sure to monitor your domain name for any suspicious activity. This can include changes to your domain name’s contact information, DNS records, or other technical settings. If you suspect any unauthorized activity, contact your domain name registrar immediately.
Conclusion
Managing a domain name is an important part of keeping your website up and running. From registering and renewing a domain name to transferring it between providers and keeping it secure, there are a few key steps you can take to ensure your domain name remains safe and secure.
Follow the steps outlined in this blog post and you’ll be well on your way to managing your domain name like a pro. Good luck!
We hope you have a Happy New Year // 2023!
