Before we go live
Getting your own domain
Your domain is your website's address, like yourbusiness.co.uk. You buy it in your own name, so it always belongs to you. It takes about 10 minutes, and I'll handle the technical part after.
What you're buying
Just the address. The website itself is built and hosted by me, so you don't need to buy hosting or a website builder from the domain company.
Pick a name
These are ideas to search for, not checked for availability. Type them into the domain company's search box in step 2.
- Short and easy to say. You'll say it on the phone and print it on cards.
- .co.uk is best for a UK business that serves local customers. .com is fine too.
- Avoid hyphens and odd spellings, which people forget or mistype.
Buy it in 4 steps
Choose a domain company
Any well-known one is fine. Good choices are Namecheap, Cloudflare or 123-reg. Create an account with your own email, one you'll still have in a few years.
Search for your name and buy it
Type your chosen name into the search box. If it's taken, try another idea from the list above. Buy it for 1 year to start, and pay with your own card.
You'll be offered extras. You don't need any of these for your site:
Website builderHostingSSL certificateSEO toolsLogo makerBusiness email (you@yourbusiness.co.uk) is optional. Ask me first if you want it, as there are cheaper ways to set it up.
Turn on auto-renew
In your account, switch on auto-renew for the domain. If it expires, your website and any business email stop working, and someone else could buy the name.
Let me connect it
Message me the name you bought. Then either:
- use your domain company's “share access” or “add a user” option and add my email, or
- we do it together on a quick call or in person, it takes about 5 minutes.
Please don't send me your password or card details by message. You never need to share them.
Your checklist
Questions
Why do I buy it, not you?
So it's legally yours from day one. If you ever want to change designer, your address comes with you and nothing breaks.
The name I want is taken. What now?
Try adding your area or what you do, like samsbarbersstreatham.co.uk or samsbarbershop.co.uk. Or try .com or .uk instead of .co.uk.
Is the price the same every year?
Not always. Some companies give a cheap first year and charge more to renew. Check the renewal price before you pay. Most .co.uk names cost roughly £5–15 a year.
Do I need to pay for hosting?
No. Hosting is handled by me. With the care plan it's included, and for simple sites it's often free.
Stuck on any step?
Send me a message with a screenshot of where you are and I'll tell you what to click.
Message the vibefy →