If you’ve been following the series, you have a clear idea of what your business offers, who it serves, and why a website is an important next step.
Now you need to give your business a name and claim its online home.
You don’t need to find the perfect name. You just need one that feels right for what you want to build, something memorable, clear, and aligned with your purpose.
Start With Meaning
Think about how you want people to feel when they hear your business name.
Should it sound friendly and approachable, creative and bold, or calm and professional?
Write down words and phrases that capture the essence of your business and the experience you want to create.
If you need a starting point, brainstorm around:
- What you offer or help people achieve
- Your core values or style
- The emotions you want your audience to feel
Keep a short list of ideas that stand out.
Check for Availability
Once you have a few ideas, check to see what’s available. Start with domain names and social media handles, since consistency across platforms helps people find you easily.
If your preferred name or domain is already taken, try small variations. You might use a different extension such as .net, .co, or .blog, or add a short word that keeps the meaning intact. For example, adding “studio,” “design,” or “shop” can open new options while maintaining your brand identity.
Keep your domain short and easy to type. Avoid symbols, numbers, or unusual spellings that make it harder for people to find you online.
Choose a Domain That Represents You
Your domain is your digital address, the place where people will find your business online.
Choose one that fits naturally with your business name and is simple enough for people to remember.
If your ideal name is taken, try small variations, such as:
- Adding your main keyword (e.g., byemilydesign.com)
- Using your industry (greenleafmarketing.co)
- Including a short phrase (shopwithsunrise.com)
The goal is to create something that looks professional and feels authentic.
Register Your Domain and Hosting Together
When you are ready, register your domain and hosting in one step.
Doing both together keeps everything in one account, reduces technical issues, and helps your business stay organized as it grows.
E-Starr includes a free domain with annual hosting plans and gives you room to expand when you are ready by making it easy to increase your plans or add other products and services later without downtime.
Pro Tip: Even if you are not ready to build your full site today, securing your domain and hosting now reserves your online identity and ensures no one else claims it.
Gather the Details You Will Need for Setup
Before you start the process, make sure you have:
- Your chosen business name and domain name
- Contact information for your account
- Payment method (PayPal accounts or credit card)
- A business email (if you already set one up)
Once your domain and hosting are registered, you will receive login details to your hosting dashboard.
From there, you will be ready to install WordPress and begin shaping your website in December’s next series.
Claim Your Space With Confidence
This is the moment where your business becomes real in the digital world. Choosing your name and registering your domain are not just technical steps, they’re milestones. They mark the point where your ideas gain a home and your audience can begin to find you.
If you’d like guidance on ordering your domain and hosting, How to Set Up Your Domain and Hosting on E-Starr walks you through the process step by step so you can get your website online with confidence and ease.
Next Steps
With your business name and domain secured, your foundation is almost complete. The next step is to make your business official. In our next post, Legal and Financial Basics for a New Online Business, we will walk through how to register your business, organize your finances, and protect your privacy as you begin to grow.
The Guide So Far
This post is part of the Foundations of Business Success series. If you’ve reached this post out of order, you may want to go back and check out the previous posts:
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