Building an online presence can be intimidating, but it’s easy if you follow these four steps.
Step 1: Domain name
The domain name is the address an Internet user types into their browser to visit a website. First, you need to choose a registrar. You must consider the cost and reputation of the registrar, as they aren’t all equal.
When creating the name itself, you must select a domain name or ‘body’ and an extension or Top-Level Domain (TLD).
When you select your domain name, choose something concise that doesn’t infringe on other trademarks. OVHcloud offers over 800 extensions for domain names (generic, thematic, geographic), so that businesses can build their digital presence in their own image. They also benefit from significant security expertise to safeguard their digital identity and protect against fraudulent transfers.
For your TLD, you can choose a legacy, generic, or country code. Legacy TLDS are domain suffixes like .com. Generic TLDs are used to indicate an industry, for example. blog. With country code TLDs used to indicate a geographic location, for example .uk. Finally, for businesses planning to reach an international audience in the future, a .com extension will imply a global reach.
The cost of each domain name depends on its popularity – names containing well-known phrases are generally more expensive.
If your domain name is already taken, you can find the owner using a WHOIS checking tool and see if they’re willing to sell. You can also check if the domain “label” you’d like to register is available with a different TLD.
Step 2: Email address
Most domain registrars also offer email solutions, ranging from basic packages for individuals to comprehensive packages for small businesses.
Most domain registrars also offer email solutions ranging from very simple webmail packages to more advanced designs. To decide on a package, ask yourself what you need from an email package.
No matter which solution you choose, pick a professional email address, such as your [email protected]. This is key, since according to Oberlo 81 per cent of small businesses use mainly email to attract customers.
Step 3: Social media
Social media sites are also a great tool for businesses. You don’t need to join every social media platform, so consider starting with one. Facebook is a great first choice, as 89 percent of marketers use Facebook according to the Sprout Social 2019 Index.
If you don’t have a website, you can use a redirect service allows you to connect your domain name directly to your social media page.
Step 4: Website
Building a website is crucial, yet more than half of all Australian businesses still don’t have one, according to IT News. Avoid their mistakes with these three easy steps:
- Choose a website provider. You need an experienced, reputable provider you can rely on to keep your site up and running.
- Choose a hosting plan. Hosting plans vary in price based on a number of factors, such as the amount of server space offered. It can be difficult to choose a plan, but most reputable website providers offer guidance to help customers choose the right plan for their needs.
- Choose a content management system (CMS). A CMS is the underlying software that powers a website. The most popular platforms are WordPress, Joomla! and Drupal – they are free, and include hundreds of pre-made website templates. If you decide you need support, you can consider hiring a web design expert through the OVHcloud partners page.
Finally, remember that the key is to build a website that’s easy for customers to find. You can install a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plugin for WordPress or do some basic keyword research to find out what potential customers are searching for. Both options will significantly improve your chances of being found.
Sébastien Millanvoye, Product Marketing Manager, OVHcloud
