Plan Your Online Presence

In this course, you'll learn the three essential components for an online presence; how to select and register a great domain name for your business; how to choose the right email package for your business and create a professional email account

Hi, I'm Darlene. Being a GoDaddy Guide, l love to offer support that helps customers feel empowered to build their own websites and online stores. When they realize that they can build a beautiful site they’re super proud of – that’s an incredible feeling!

Darlene

Hi, I'm Joplin. As a GoDaddy Guide, every day I get a front-row seat to watch people, just like you, take the leap and make their own way. There’s nothing more amazing than seeing our customers take that risk and succeed!

Joplin

Plan Your Online Presence: Course Overview 

And in this course, we're gonna learn what it takes

We'll review the components and talk about the big three.

We'll help guide you through selecting a domain name

getting an email solution that looks professional,

and consider what website options would be best

If you're ready to get your venture online,

In this video, we'll introduce the three core components of an online presence and what to consider when choosing each component.

Hi, I'm Eric. Being a GoDaddy Guide, I often get to help customers solve some of their most nagging business problems. Getting to experience their sense of relief and knowing that I helped... there's nothing like it!

Eric

Getting the Essentials for an Online Presence

We're gonna talk to you about the big three.

Which are your domain, your email and your website.

'cause it's gonna be in your email address,

Yes, part of your social media handle once you get there.

So, with the domain name you want to keep it short,

and we like to say the radio test at GoDaddy.

If you heard it on the radio when you're driving home,

would you remember it when it's time to go search for it?

Right, and you have to make sure you get it very quickly.

All right, so now that you got this domain name,

so you're gonna wanna pick a good domain name

All right so now the email and the domain are up and running

This is what everyone's gonna see when they look you up.

And then, from there you can get into more specifics

this is the first time you're standing up this website

this is the first time that it's on its legs.

and then add on the bells and whistles later.

Are you gonna need people to set appointments on there?

Or are you gonna hire a pro to do those things for you?

so try to plan for the future as best you can.

Consider your initial cost verses your maintenance cost.

So after you get that website up and running,

There's that down payment to first get into it,

Plan for the future, it's gonna be around for a long time.

In this video, we'll explain why your domain name is like a Swiss Army knife, describing all of the ways in which a domain can be used for your business.

Using Your Domain for Your Business

You know, I'm not sure if everyone realizes

Seriously, a domain is like a Swiss army knife;

on the surface a simple straightforward tool,

that you can use your domain for your business.

The first way to use your domain name is for your website.

It's the main reason most people come to us.

a custom email address for your business.

Why use a generic free email address when you can have

a professional looking domain-based email like a boss.

Think about it. Do you really want to share the email

Too busy to build a website? Or find someone to do it

for you? Consider a third way to use your domain:

Domain forwarding is when someone types a domain name

into the web browser and then is sent or forwarded

For example, if you have a Facebook business page,

or an Instagram account, you can use your domain to forward

And when your website's up, you can turn that off.

With domain forwarding in place, anybody who types

a domain name into the browser will arrive to a site

rather than a site that says, 'under construction'.

But wait, there's more. If you want to supercharge

your online presence, you could and should

also use your domain name minus the extension

A handle is just cool kid speak for username

the handle's the part that comes after the '@' sign.

So for example, you can find us '@godaddy'

Just like your domain, a social media handle

is a way for your customers to find your business online

Consistently using the same social media handles

across all platforms, builds brand recognition,

and makes you look like a social media star.

as a social media handle, hit up 'namecheck.com'.

Don't let it collect dust, put it to use.

I'm Joplin, this is Darlene. We'll see you later.

In this video, we'll demo how to search for a domain on GoDaddy.com and complete the domain registration and purchase process.

Hi, I'm Emily. As a GoDaddy Guide, I love being able to give our customers a mix of help, advice, and cheerleading. It's a huge step, starting your own business, and I want our customers to know that we have their back, whatever they need!

Emily

Register a Domain at GoDaddy

but don't quite know what domain name you want,

where you tell us about your idea, product, or service.

The more details you provide, the better results.

Select the magic wand and watch the magic happen.

AI will help you find the domain that works best for you.

If you already know which domain you want,

If you're planning on expanding your brand in the future,

you might wanna grab some additional domains as well.

Most times when someone purchases a domain,

they're purchasing it to launch a website

that help protect your personal information

Privacy protection is included with your domain

It requires your approval using two-factor verification

for changes such as deleting or transferring a domain.

In this example, we're gonna select no domain protection.

Your domain purchase includes a free one page

will know something special is on the way.

If you want a custom email address that uses your domain,

Select continue to cart when you're ready

you would like to register your domain for.

I'm gonna select one year from the dropdown.

The subtotal displays with the promo code link below.

If you have a promo code, don't forget to use it.

Everything looks good here, so I'm gonna select,

You've registered your domain at GoDaddy.

In this video, we'll explain why you'll need to get crafty if you're just now registering and how to work around roadblocks when your dream domain is taken. We'll also explain why a domain might be unavailable, but not in use.

Navigate Domain Name Detours

and I'm really excited about today's topic.

You know, people have been registering domain names

The first one, symbolics.com, was registered in 1985,

we've been helping folks stake their claim

So what I'm getting at is that if you're just now getting

and that means you're probably gonna have to get crafty.

Remember to think of your domain name like real estate.

It's not impossible to find your dream home

So you may find the domain name that you want,

but it's probably gonna be a little bit pricey.

So maybe you have to go for like a fixer upper, you know?

A different extension or a different spelling

or change a few words around here and there.

Today we're gonna discuss all of those roadblocks

and get you on your way to securing your dream domain.

type your dream name into the field and click search Domain.

You know, I've always wanted to open up a little pub,

so I'm gonna see if murphysirishpub.com is available.

that's a hefty price tag for a domain name.

Looks like it's listed as a premium domain name.

What exactly does that mean? Well, it uses a .com extension.

We know that's the swankiest zip code on the internet,

which means it's better for search results,

of history tied to it, so it's been around for a while.

Maybe it's even got traffic already going to it.

why a domain name can be listed as premium,

if it's the domain name that you really want.

Okay, so maybe you got a little bit of sticker shock,

A couple of things are probably gonna happen.

One, you're either gonna find an existing business

or you might find what we call a parked page.

So the domain is there, but there's nothing really going on.

There's no content related to the domain name,

and this could be for a couple of reasons.

Some people just buy domain names for email addresses.

They don't ever plan on building a website.

Sometimes there are people out there who we call domainers.

They make a living off of buying and selling domain names,

they might be willing to sell you that domain name,

It's just you're gonna have to get crafty

All right, I'm gonna take the fixer upper route here.

Since the domain name that I originally wanted

is a little pricey, maybe if I modify it,

I'm gonna take the Irish out and look for murphyspub.com.

but if I still want it, there's an option for me.

and this is a really awesome, unique service for GoDaddy.

and try to contact the owner of the domain name

and negotiate a price that's a little more in your budget.

Now, the person who currently owns it can accept, reject,

or counter offer, but we're gonna serve as the middleman

and try to get you the domain name that you're looking for.

or that's a cost you also don't wanna pay for,

then look at all these other results on the page.

There are different extensions or endings

You know, there's a lot of different ways

you know, maybe a little bit better branding.

I might end up with something better than I started with.

If the domain name that you want is available right now,

I'm Emily. Thanks so much for joining me.

In this video, we'll explain why all businesses need a professional, domain-based email address as well as the benefits of having a professional email address.

The Benefits of a Professional Email Address

Would you be surprised to know that 72% of consumers

would rather communicate through email versus phone?

It's way more convenient, kind of, as far as timing goes.

But a lot of the times it can wait a minute

why using your domain for a custom email address

you want to use your domain-based email versus the freebee,

is it really, kind of, gives the impression

isn't quite as serious as you think it is.

to have number in the email address usually.

Which is what you have to do when you use those free ones.

Right, so if I had, like, joplin@davidjoplin.com

You know, that would be probably a lot more ...

to build your brand once you have your domain name.

So we gave you a couple reasons why you should be using

a domain-based email to create a rockstar digital presence.

Yeah, it's really the quickest and easiest way

But it does really establish a lot of credibility too.

In this video, we’ll cover what email options are offered at GoDaddy so that you can choose the best email package.

Hi, I’m Emma. As a GoDaddy Guide, I have the awesome opportunity to explore and learn the latest marketing trends to help educate our customers. My favorite is social media and I'm stoked to be their go-to-guide for answers.

Emma

Choose an Email Package 

Hey everyone, Emma here, and I've got Emily with me today.

Now, before you can set up an email address,

you're going to need to purchase an email package,

and we have some options for you to choose from.

Right, if you're looking to get the bare minimum

of sending, receiving and storage for email,

Microsoft 365 Email Essentials would fit that basic level

This will test out what your initial volume is going to be,

how much email is coming from your customers,

Yeah, and once you grow out that business

plus added protection against spam, malware,

How-To

Plan Your Online Presence

Navigating Domain Detours

About the Guides

Additional Videos

Getting to Know Websites + Marketing

Build Your Own Website

Add an Online Store to Your Website

Growing Your Websites + Marketing eCommerce Site