It may feel like you’ve already done a ton of work developing your business. But before you get too far along you’re going to want to make sure you’re building on a solid foundation. Here’s how to establish a digital footprint (domain, emails, social accounts) that will be easy to build on. Choosing a domain is key to having a solid foundation.

Your Digital Footprint

You know how walking in the surf at the beach leaves a trail of footprints in the sand behind you? The same thing happens with your business the minute you start your first interaction online. Every comment, post, and email are part of the digital footprints you’re leaving all over the internet. From the very beginning, it is essential to develop a consistent, brand-centric digital footprint. The right choices early can either help or hinder, and research is crucial.

Your Business Name Must Be Part of Choosing A Domain

The name of your business is a representation of you and what you stand for. Keep it simple and meaningful. The goal is for your business to be around for a while, so be conscious of long term plans and make sure the name you pick is consistent with the direction you are headed and the brand identity you’ve defined (see post Brand Identity: Your Voice, Your Vibe, Your Tribe)

Once you think you’ve picked a business name, take the time to check out all of the platforms where your name or handle will appear.

It will not do you any good to have a fabulous image and stellar business plan if the website domain isn’t available, if the Twitter handle already exists or if the Instagram username is taken.

You should also go a step further and check hashtags across any and all platforms. Your hashtag could be trending with unexpected audiences for some not so desirable reasons.

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Six Easy Steps to Choosing a Domain

Choosing a domain seems daunting, we know. To help, we’ve created this super savvy to-do list we use to sort through all that digital noise with our clients in just six steps.

  1. Write down five to ten website domain names that could work for your brand or business.
  2. Always pick a “.com” domain. The exception is a “.org” site. Traditionally, this extension has been used for nonprofits and charitable organizations. It implies trust and an organization with a goal other than profit.
  3. Keep the domain name as short as possible. Your website will appear on banners, brochures, business cards, social media, internet lists, email signatures, and so forth, and so on. A shorter name also benefits your business in search engine results.
  4. Visit a domain provider web site such as domain.com to see which, if any, of the names you wrote down are available. Make sure you don’t skip this step, even if you don’t plan on needing a website immediately. There is no guarantee you won’t in the future.
  5. Once you settle on a few possible domains, make sure there is a corresponding Gmail address that makes sense. This step will save you startup money. You can save your hard-earned cash and skip personalized mailbox services.
  6. If the domain and Gmail accounts are available, it’s time to do the robust, deep-dive social media research. Check all platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, SnapChat, YouTube, even those you may not use initially. Don’t forget selling platforms like Etsy or Amazon. Hashtags and digital locations are critical.

You’re Ready For A Digital Frenzy

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It’s time to dive in and acquire all that digital real estate. Timing is everything so do it all at once, as quickly as possible.

  • You’ve scoured the internet and finished your research. Now immediately secure that email address! You will use it for every single step moving forward.
  • Purchase your domain. You can do this for as little as ten dollars at a site like domain.com. Consider spending a little extra to keep that registration private. This step is a preventative measure against future junk mail, potential harassment, and ensures you remain the owner of your domain.
  • Register your account on each and every social media or selling platform. Nearly all platforms are free but this step will take the better part of an afternoon.

You’ve built your house on digital solid ground!