What is a domain name and how do I get one?

How does a domain name work?

Every website on the internet has a numeric address called an IP address — something like 104.21.35.178. Nobody can remember that. A domain name is the human-friendly version.

When someone types yourbusiness.co.uk into their browser, the internet looks up which server that domain points to, fetches your website files from that server, and displays them. This happens in milliseconds. You don't need to understand the technical side — just know that the domain is the address and the hosting is the building.

How do I choose a good domain name?

Keep it simple. The best domain names are:

• Short. Fewer words, easier to remember, easier to type. "smithlaw.co.uk" beats "smith-and-jones-solicitors-manchester.co.uk".
• Easy to spell. Avoid unusual spellings, double letters, or words people commonly misspell. If you have to spell it out every time you say it, it's too complicated.
• Relevant. Your business name is the obvious choice. If that's taken, try adding your location: "smithlawmanchester.co.uk".
• No hyphens or numbers. They're hard to say aloud and easy to get wrong. "best-cakes-4-u.co.uk" is a nightmare.

If you're starting a new business, check domain availability before you finalise your trading name. There's nothing worse than choosing a name and finding out the .co.uk is taken.

Where do I buy a domain name?

You buy domains from a domain registrar. These are companies authorised to sell domain names. Popular options in the UK include:

• Namecheap — straightforward, fair prices, no aggressive upselling
• Cloudflare Registrar — sells domains at cost price with no markup
• Google Domains — simple and integrates with other Google services (now part of Squarespace Domains)
• 123 Reg — UK-based, widely used, but watch for auto-renew price increases
• GoDaddy — the biggest registrar, but known for aggressive upselling and higher renewal prices

Wherever you buy, make sure the domain is registered in your name, with your email address, in your own account. Never let someone else register your domain for you. If they do, they own it — not you.

How much does a domain name cost?

A .co.uk domain costs around £5–£12 per year. A .com costs £8–£15 per year. That's the ongoing cost — you pay it every year to keep the domain.

Watch out for introductory pricing. Some registrars offer the first year for £1, then charge £25+ to renew. Always check the renewal price before you buy.

Premium domains — short, common words like "cakes.co.uk" — can cost hundreds or thousands. For most small businesses, there's no need to pay premium prices. A clear, relevant domain is all you need.

Should I get .co.uk, .com, or something else?

For a UK business serving UK customers, use .co.uk. It tells Google you're a UK business and it tells visitors the same thing. People trust it.

If you can get the .com as well, buy it and redirect it to your .co.uk site. That way nobody else can take it and anyone who types the .com still reaches you.

Avoid novelty extensions like .biz, .info, or .xyz for a business site. They look spammy and people don't trust them. Stick with .co.uk or .com.

What about business email?

Once you have a domain, you can set up a professional email address: hello@yourbusiness.co.uk or your.name@yourbusiness.co.uk.

This matters more than you might think. A solicitor emailing from smithlaw@gmail.com looks less credible than one emailing from info@smithlaw.co.uk. The same goes for accountants, restaurants, and any business that wants to be taken seriously.

Business email typically costs £30–£60 per year through Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Some hosting providers include it free.

What happens if I forget to renew?

Your domain expires. Your website goes offline. Your email stops working. Someone else can register the domain.

Most registrars offer a grace period of 30–90 days where you can still renew, sometimes at a higher price. After that, the domain goes back on the open market and anyone can buy it.

Set up auto-renewal. Keep your payment details current. It's £10 a year — don't lose your business address over a missed payment.

Do I need a domain before I get a website built?

Ideally, yes. Register your domain early so it's secured. Your web designer can then point it to your new site when it's ready.

If you're not sure which domain to choose, your designer can advise. But buy it yourself, in your own account. This is your business asset — treat it like your trading name or your phone number.