Small Business Websites

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There are literally hundreds of companies through which you can register a domain name. Some are more well-known than others. If you’re going to host your website with a certain company and they also offer domain registration, this can simplify things for you by keeping them all in one place.

Registration costs vary throughout the internet and there’s really no reason to go with a high cost company. Everyone offers the same basic services and domain names don’t need a lot of bells and whistles.

Very recently, I was registering several domain names for a client of mine that wanted to go with the same company he’d used in the past. Super idea, keeps things simple and in a centralized location. The total cost was $300. Then, I went to a lower cost registration company and got the exact same domain names for the same length of time for $83. That’s a HUGE difference and when I told my client, he wanted the cheaper option.

Things to keep in mind:
1) Choose a company that appears they’ll stay in business for more than a short period of time. Check how long they’ve been around and if their website is kept up-to-date.
2) Although you may not need it, it’s nice to know that support is only a phone call away. Some sites offer Live Chat where you can ask your questions online and communicate with someone immediately. Many cheaper domain name companies have a long distance phone number you’ll need to call for help although they may have FAQs and email support too. You can weigh this option and decide if it’s the right choice for you. Personally, I use these myself as I’ve noticed I save more money this way and avoid calling long distance by sending emails instead.
3) Some web designers have a company they like to use and understand how the back-end works. This saves them time in not having to learn a new interface to set things up properly for hosting your site, setting up email etc. If the cost is affordable, go with your designer’s recommendation.

There are even domain registration companies that offer coupons and discounts.  Google the company name you’re considering along with the word ‘coupons’ and see what comes up.  This is an easy way to save even more money!

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