On a basic level, domain names are important because the Internet’s addressing scheme is not very effective without them. Each computer on the Internet has an Internet protocol (IP) address: a unique string of four numbers separated by periods, such as 165.166.0.2. Since remembering the IP addresses of all of your favorite Web sites would be nearly impossible, a group of computer scientists created the domain name system to assign a unique name to each numeric IP address. However, domain names are much more than just a technical shortcut. A short, memorable domain name can make the difference between creating a successful Web presence and getting lost in cyberspace.
Having your own domain name makes your company look professional. If you publish your site through an ISP or a free Web hosting site, you will end up with a URL such as www.yourisp.com/-yourbusiness. This generic address does not inspire confidence in a customer as a www.yourcompany.com domain name does. In addition, since many people do not yet trust the Internet and e-commerce, you will want to do what you can to prove that your small business deserves their money. If you are not willing to pay the money to register an appropriate domain name, why would consumers think you would put any effort into creating valuable products or services?
Having your own domain name indicates you are part of the Digital Revolution, and it implies that you are up-to-date on emerging technologies. Whether this is true or not, having your own domain name might just put you ahead of your competitors.
Owning your own domain name lets, you take that name with you if you transfer Web hosts or switch to your own in-house server. If you do not own your domain name, you will have to take a new URL, which will destroy the branding that you built up with your first address.
If you decide to register a domain name that matches the concept of your business (instead of your exact business name), you might draw Web surfers in search of that topic. For instance, a hardware store that registered Hammers.com might get visitors looking for hammers on the Internet. In addition, although search engine results are hard to predict, Hammers.com could show up more frequently in search results when someone searches for information about hammers.
More than anything else, a domain name can increase awareness of your brand. If your domain name matches your company name, it reinforces your brand, making it easier for customers to remember and return. It will also be easier to win business via word of mouth because customers will remember your name and pass it along to friends. To learn more about the value of branding,
The Importance of a Domain Name: PrimeView: Arizona Web Design. (2019, July 24). Retrieved December 01, 2020, from https://www.primeview.com/blog/importance-domain-name/
Why domain names are Important - A Prophecy about Domain Name Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2020, from https://brandnic.com/why-domain-names-are-important/