How to Prepare Your Domain
Your domain is the foundation of your website. Getting it set up correctly before we begin ensures a faster launch, fewer delays, and a smoother handoff once your site is live.
This guide walks you through exactly what you need to do—and what you don't need to worry about—before we start building.
Overview
Before we can launch your website, you'll need access to your domain (yourwebsite.com). This does not mean you need technical expertise or to configure anything yourself. It simply ensures you own the domain and can connect it when your site is ready.
If you already have a domain, great. If not, we'll help you choose and purchase one correctly.
Step 1: Choose Your Domain
If you don't already own a domain, start here.
Best practices:
- Keep it simple and readable
- Avoid hyphens, numbers, or extra words
- Use .com whenever possible
- Match your business name or primary service
Examples
- smithconstruction.com
- atlasadvisory.com
- greenvalleylandscaping.com
If your exact name isn't available, we recommend small, intentional variations rather than forcing complexity.
Step 2: Purchase the Domain
We recommend using one of the following registrars:
- Google Domains
- Namecheap
- GoDaddy
Purchase the domain under your name or business, not a third party. This ensures you retain full ownership.
Note: Domain purchases typically cost $10–$20 per year.
Step 3: Ensure You Have Login Access
Once purchased, make sure you can log in to your domain provider.
You will need:
- The email address tied to the account
- The account password
If someone else (a previous developer, agency, or employee) purchased the domain for you, ask them to either:
- Transfer ownership, or
- Grant you admin access
Without this, we can't connect your site.
Step 4: Do Not Change DNS Settings Yet
This is important.
- ❌ Do not edit DNS records
- ❌ Do not point the domain anywhere
- ❌ Do not try to "connect" it yourself
We'll handle all technical configuration when your site is ready to go live. Making changes early can cause downtime or delays.
Step 5: Share Access When Requested
When your website is complete and ready for launch, we'll ask for temporary access or specific DNS permissions.
At that point, we will:
- Connect the domain
- Verify security (SSL)
- Ensure everything works correctly before going live
You remain the owner of the domain at all times.
Final Checklist
Before we begin building, make sure you can check these off:
- ✓ Domain name chosen
- ✓ Domain purchased under your ownership
- ✓ Login access confirmed
- ✓ No DNS changes made
Once this is done, you're ready to move forward without delays.