Web Site Hosting and Domain Name Registration
Why you need a website for your custom doll business
No matter what business or hobby you have, you want to be able to share it with others.
If you intend on selling your dolls or anything at all, you absolutely have to have your own website. A business that does not have a web site is not taken seriously. If you have been using a "free" web site host, I hate to tell you this, but these are not viewed as professional either, and you may be losing lots of business. If you are a hobby doll collector, then fine, a free site may suit you well. But if you intend on selling your dolls and being perceived as successful and professional, you have to have your own domain name and website. The impression you make with your website is very important.
First of all you need to see if the domain name you want for your website is available. Once you find a domain name you have to register it. I have all my domain names registered through Godaddy. I am sure you've heard of them.
ABOUT choosing a Domain name for your doll business:
Here's a handy hint to help you in choosing your domain name. Make it as specific as possible to your business. In other words, don't chose something like Suzy's Designs. This tells the search engines and web surfers nothing about what you offer.
If you offer custom made doll clothes, try to make it part of your domain name. Custom Doll Designs by Suzy would be a better option, or Custom Doll Clothes would be the best choice. In truth, if I had it to do over again I would have chosen a better name than I did. I didn't know this ten years ago though. Don't be generic! Be as specific as possible.
FYI- Mattel has shut down websites that use the word "Barbie" in the domain name. Although there are some still existing out there, they just haven't been spotted by Mattel yet. Any domain name with Barbie in the title may be subject to copyright infringement so don't even think about going there.
Domain Search- Find a Domain Name Now
Once you find a domain name that best represents your business, you can also register it for less than $10 a YEAR at Godaddy. I was paying TWICE that much at my other domain registrar.
I recently changed my website hosting company from a terrible one to a great one. For almost ten years I went with a company that was recommended to me when I first started making One of a Kind dolls. I stuck with them even though they are more costly and their customer service was terrible, and was outsourced to another country where I couldn't understand a word they said. As you know, when you have a technical problem with your computer, you need answers now and they have to be clear and easy to understand.
I thought it would be easier to stick with the same old lousy company than it would be to switch web hosts. The terrible customer service at my old host finally got on my last nerve and I knew I HAD to find a better company that offered better support for it's customers. I also found out I was paying twice as much with this company as I would be with the new one I switched to- Hostgator.
After months of exhaustive research, I found Hostgator. I asked around on many message boards and forums and read lots of website hosting company reviews and Hostgator came out on top every time. When I finally made the switch and started using Hostgator for my web hosting needs, I was thrilled.
Haven't we all experienced calling tech or customer support and getting someone on the line with a heavy accent who is obviously not located in the USA? It is very difficult when they cannot understand you and help you because of a language barrier.
To me, this is very poor customer support and tells you that your web host really doesn't care about customer service and out-sources to other countries just to save a buck. ALL of Hostgators customer service is done right here in the USA!!! Personally, I want to do everything I can to support the US economy and American businesses.
I am now using Hostgator for three of my sites and plan on using them for the six new websites I plan on creating soon. They support Wordpress, so if you like to blog, they have an easy one click install. I love my new web host! Hostgator has web hosting starting at only $4.95 a month! The interface is very user friendly. Pass the word!
Disclaimer, although I am a customer of both Hostgator and Godaddy, I am also an affiliate and do gain a small commission if you use my links to purchase domains or hosting.
