Domains: What You Need to Know (and What I Won’t Do for You)

Domains are the digital plots of land we build on. Whether you’re launching a new project, redirecting traffic, or just staking your claim on a clever idea, a domain name is often the first real-world asset in your online journey.

But buying a domain isn’t just a one-time task—it’s a decision that affects your long-term independence, branding, and tech setup. So let’s break it down.

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Creative Uses for Domain Names

Your domain can do way more than just host a website. Some clever ways I’ve seen (and used):

• Redirect it to your LinkedIn, Substack, or portfolio
• Use it as a branded landing page for an event, product, or waitlist
• Create a professional email address (you@yourdomain.com) that instantly adds credibility
• Link it to a Notion page or lightweight microsite using tools like Super or Potion
• Forward it to a blog post or product link for easy sharing on podcasts, print, or YouTube

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Best Ways to Buy a Domain

You’ve got two main options, and they each come with trade-offs:

Option 1: Buy It Through Your Hosting Provider

Great if you’re launching a site right away and want everything in one place.

Pros:

• One account to manage both site and domain
• Free domain for the first year with some hosting plans

Cons:

• Harder to transfer later if you switch providers
• You may lose control if the host goes dark or plays gatekeeper

Option 2: Buy It Standalone via a Registrar

This is my go-to method. You keep control no matter where you host.

Popular Standalone Registrars:

• Namecheap – User-friendly and cost-effective
• Hover – Clean interface, trusted by tech insiders (including Leo Laporte)
• GoDaddy – Widely used; watch for upsells
• Porkbun – Quirky name, great prices, indie favorite
• Squarespace Domains – Clean UI, solid integrations (formerly Google Domains)

Pros:

• You fully control the domain
• Easier to move between hosts
• You can manage multiple domains under one dashboard

Cons:

• Slightly more to set up (I can help!)

Pro tip: Buy the domain separately, then point it to your host. That gives you the flexibility to move or change platforms later without drama.

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A Word of Warning from Experience

Here’s where things can go off the rails—and why I have a hard rule as a freelancer and consultant:

I do not buy domains or hosting for clients. Ever.

Why? Because when someone else registers your domain or hosts your site “for you,” you don’t own it—they do. And I’ve seen this create major problems:

• Locked out of DNS (the control panel for where your site and email point)
• Projects held up for weeks waiting on access or transfers
• Agencies refusing to release domains unless more money changes hands

Even large companies fall into this trap. I once worked for a business whose entire web presence was essentially held hostage because a previous agency had registered everything under their own account.

If you can log into Netflix, you can buy and manage your own domain. And I’ll walk you through it if you need help—but you should always be the one holding the keys.

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Branding Tips for Domain Names

If you’re still choosing a name, here’s some advice I often give clients:

• Keep it short and easy to spell – Avoid dashes or weird spellings unless they’re essential to your brand.
• Make it memorable – Bonus points if it tells a story or evokes a feeling.
• Check social media availability – Try to line up your handles across platforms.
• Stick with .com if you can—but newer endings like .studio, .guide, or .dev can work too if they match your vibe.
• Buy variations – If your project takes off, you’ll want to prevent copycats or confusion.

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Quick Glossary

• DNS (Domain Name System): Like a digital switchboard. It connects your domain name to your actual website and email servers.
• Registrar: Where you register and renew your domain name.
• Hosting Provider: The place where your actual website files live.
• Redirect: A way to forward one domain to another site, page, or profile.
• TLD (Top-Level Domain): The part after the dot—like .com, .net, .studio, etc.

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Domains I Personally Own (and Sometimes Get Offers For)