How to Create a Custom Domain for Your Business Website

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One of the first things you’ll hear as a business owner or an entrepreneur who wants to start an online business, or move an existing one online as well, is that you need a website. This makes perfect sense; a business website is a key element for building an online presence that accurately represents your brand.

However, to truly stand out from the competition and create a memorable experience for your customers, you must go beyond a generic website address and embrace the power of a custom domain. Choosing the perfect domain name for your website makes all the difference. But how do you create a custom domain for this business website you have? In his article, we’ll break down:

1. What a custom domain is.

2. Benefits of a custom domain for your business.

3. The best practices for custom domains.

4. Price of custom domains and if you can get one for free.

5. How to get a custom domain with Bumpa.

What is a Custom Domain?

A custom domain is a personalised website address that reflects your brand or business name. It replaces the generic or default domain provided by website builders or hosting services. With a custom domain, you can create a unique and memorable online identity, making it easier for visitors to find and remember your website.

For example, as a Bumpa user, you instantly get your own Bumpa website when you sign up with your business information. However, the initial website address is not a custom domain.

Let’s say I have a business called Petra Shoes. My initial Bumpa website URL would be www.petrashoes.bumpa.shop. Now, that isn’t just a mouthful, but it’s also generic and easily forgettable. Instead, what I should do is personalise my website to something like www.petrashoes.com, or for better local visibility, I could go with www.petrashoes.com.ng. Isn’t that just better?

A domain address like www.petrashoes.bumpa.shop does the initial work; you have a functional website with an address that people can visit. But upgrading to a custom domain like www.petrashoes.com.ng resets your domain authority back to zero, even if you’ve had the former domain for a long time. This is the main reason why it’s important to get a custom domain right from the beginning.

Getting a custom domain for your website is more than just having a personalised address or having full control of your website’s URL, and we’ll be breaking down the benefits in the next section of this article.

Related: How to Optimise your Bumpa Website for More Visibility on Google in 2023!

What are the Benefits of A Custom Domain for Your Business Website?

Having a custom domain is great for your business as it contributes heavily to the success of your online marketing hacks and strategies and business growth. But it doesn’t end there. Here are some of the best benefits of having a custom domain for your business.

1. Professionalism: Having a custom domain for your business website instantly adds a level of professionalism. It portrays your commitment to your brand and tells your customers that you have invested in establishing a credible online presence.

2. Brand Identity: A custom domain allows you to add your business name or relevant keywords to your website address. This strengthens your brand identity and helps customers easily identify and remember your website, increasing brand recognition and loyalty.

3. Memorability: A unique and customised domain name is more memorable to users than a generic or long web address. A custom domain makes it easier for visitors to recall and revisit your website, increasing the chances of repeat visits and conversions.

4. Control: With a custom domain, you have full control over your web address and can choose the domain registrar and hosting provider that best aligns with your business needs. This gives you the flexibility to make changes, switch providers, and maintain control of your online presence.

5. SEO: A custom domain can positively impact your search engine optimisation (SEO)

   efforts. Having relevant keywords in your domain name can potentially improve your website's visibility in search engine results and increase organic traffic to your site.

6. Mobility: A custom domain provides mobility and flexibility to your online presence. You can easily transfer your website to different hosting providers without changing the domain name, ensuring consistency and continuity in your brand's online presence.

7. Email Addresses: Along with a custom domain, you can create personalised email addresses that align with your brand. This not only enhances professionalism but also increases trust and credibility when communicating with customers and business partners.

In a nutshell, a custom domain empowers businesses to create a distinct online presence, solidify their brand identity, and enhance their overall online visibility and professionalism.

What are the Best Practices for Choosing Custom Domain Names?

Now that you’ve decided to use a custom domain for your website, it is important to know some of the best practices when choosing one.

1. Keep it short and simple: Shorter names are easy to remember and type.

2. Use keywords: Add relevant keywords related to your brand or website.

3. Be unique: Avoid using generic or common names to stand out from the crowd.

4. Consider your target audience: Your domain name should resonate with your intended audience.

5. Avoid numbers and hyphens: They can make your domain name confusing to remember or type.

6. Check for trademark conflicts: Ensure your chosen name does not infringe on someone else's trademark.

7. Easy to pronounce: A domain name that is easy to pronounce is more likely to be remembered.

8. Go for a .com extension: .com is still the most widely recognised and trusted extension.

9. Research social media availability: Secure the same handle on various social media platforms for consistency.

10. Consider future growth: Choose a domain name that allows your brand to expand in the future.

How Much Does A Custom Domain Cost in Nigeria?

Getting a custom domain typically involves registering the domain name through a domain registrar and linking it to your website hosting provider.

We’ve also seen questions asking if a custom domain can be gotten for free. Unfortunately, you cannot get a custom domain for free. The cost of getting a custom domain in Nigeria typically ranges from N5,000 to N40,000.

How to Create a Custom Domain for your Bumpa Website

A free Bumpa website vs a Pro plan Bumpa website (Customisable)

As earlier mentioned in the article, Bumpa websites do not automatically come with custom domains, but because we understand the importance of getting one from the beginning of your business’s online journey, we’ve ensured that it’s easy for you to upgrade your website address with a custom domain that is suitable for your business, thereby eliminating the stress of you having to find a separate domain name provider or registrar.

Setting up your custom domain for your Bumpa website is easy. To do this, you’ll have to upgrade to the Pro plan, which is priced at N5,000 monthly. Alongside the custom domain which you’ll get for a year, you’ll unlock a host of amazing features to help you grow and manage your business better.

Related: See Features on the Bumpa Pro Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I create a custom domain for my website?

Purchase a domain name from a domain registrar, then connect it with your website hosting provider. Alternatively, purchase a custom domain for your business website in Nigeria by subscribing to the Bumpa pro plan, which allows you to create a custom domain available for a year.

2. How much does a custom domain cost?

Getting your custom domain through Bumpa costs N5,000 for a year.

3. What is the best type of domain name for a business?

The .com extension is usually the best for business domains. It remains the most recognised and accessible option, making it a popular choice for businesses. If you’re a Nigerian business, you should also consider the .com.ng extension for Local SEO and website traffic.

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