Domain Names Explained: Choosing, Registering and Protecting Yours
Everything a business owner needs to know about web addresses, from .co.za to renewals.
Your domain is your address online and the foundation of your professional email. It is worth choosing and managing carefully.
Choosing a good domain
- Short, easy to spell and say aloud
- Avoid hyphens and numbers where possible
- Match your business name or core service
- Consider securing common misspellings
.co.za, .com or both?
A .co.za signals a South African business and is trusted locally. A .com suits international audiences. Many businesses register both and redirect one to the other.
Ownership matters
Always register the domain in your business's name with an email address you control. If a supplier registers it under their own account, moving later can be difficult.
Renewals and security
- Enable auto-renewal so it never lapses.
- Keep contact details up to date.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on your registrar account.
A lapsed domain takes your website and email down with it. A few minutes of admin prevents that.
