12 Steps to a Successful Website - OurChurch.Com

The first dollar you spend on your website should be to get a domain name. What does it say to your visitors if you aren't willing to spend a few dollars on a domain name? Right or wrong, many visitors will think:

• You are cheap.
• You are in financial trouble.
• You do not care very much about your website.
• You are not committed to your website long-term.
• You don't mind losing some visitors because your website address is long, hard to remember, and a challenge to type in accurately.

Conversely when you have your own domain name it tells your visitors:

• You care about your website.
• You have invested in your website.
• You are committed to maintaining your website.
• You understand that a shorter, more relevant address will bring more visitors to your website.

There are a variety of domain extensions (the "dot com" part) from which to choose, which helps make the possibility of obtaining the name you want more likely. The most popular extensions are:

Your choice of domain name is important because you want people to be able to see or hear it once, remember it, and type it into their web browser. So, it's important to select a domain name that is short, easy to remember, and easy to spell. There is also some evidence your site may rank higher for a targeted keyword if it is in your domain name.

Just because your company is named "The Best Preschool Bible Story Supply Company In the World, Inc." doesn't mean your domain needs to be thebestpreschoolbiblestorysupplycompanyintheworld.com. It's hard enough typing it without making an error, much less remembering it! A better choice would be "preschoolsupply.com" or something similar. The challenge is finding something that has not already been taken. With a little creativity and persistence, however, you are sure to find a domain that is just right for your website.

To register your domain with OurChurch.Com, simply order the Starter package or greater. OurChurch.Com will register your domain name for you and pay the annual fee (with the annual hosting payment plan). You can do this at the time you create your website by going to our home page and clicking on "Build a Site," or after your site is complete by logging into your Webmaster page and clicking on "Order & Renew Premium Options." Your domain registration is included in the hosting with the annual hosting payment plan, so you don't have to worry about getting the settings correct or remembering to register it separately each year.