TECH KNOWLEDGE FOR NON TECHIES
What is a domain name, and does it matter?
The idea behind this series of ‘tech knowledge for non techies’ articles is to help those with little or no technical knowledge to have a better grasp of technical terms, so they can understand more about the internet, their company’s website and how it works. I will explore a series of topics that through experience, I have found that people struggle to understand, both literally and in terms of their importance to the online presence of a business. I hope that my explanations, insights and case studies will shed some light on tech knowledge for non techies.
If you own a business with a website and are puzzled by the question ‘what is a domain name?’ and how it is relevant to your business, then this is the article for you!
When I first start to work with clients, I am often incredulous that the company owner or managers haven’t got a clue what the domain name of their business is, or where it is registered. It is an important business asset but is quite often handed over to the IT team, the ‘technical guy,’ or an external supplier, and managers almost wash their hands of it! But your company’s domain name really does matter!
Do you own a domain name?
When we first start working with customers, we begin by asking about the company assets they already own. When we ask the question, “Do you own a domain name?,” clients normally respond with one or both of the following:
- “I have an email address”
- “I have a website”
Okay, these are both useful responses because we can ascertain whether they have a domain name from those responses. However, the client quite often has no idea of the value and importance of it to their business. Sometimes the response is to quote a Gmail address:
But this doesn’t really tell us anything other than the company name and that they have a Google Business or Gmail account.
Put quite simply, a domain name is your address on the internet, unique to your business. It’s the web equivalent of the street address of your business premises. It is there so customers can find you on the internet, just like they can find your physical place of business from your street address. Your domain name is part of your website address and part of your email address, but it can be used for all kinds of internet-based services.
Why is a domain name important?
Your domain name is a company asset! If you own a company, our advice is to make it your business to know:
Where your domain name is registered?
for example, GoDaddy
Who has access to it with the registrar?
certain people within your organisation will be authorised to speak to the registrar, and will have a username and password for an account
Although we may be able to ascertain that you have a domain name, we are not authorised to deal with the registrar because we do not own that account. Only the account holder will be able to deal with them, so what happens if this person has left the company?
Making sure you have a cheat sheet, or a disaster recovery plan is simply good business practice. You know who the key holders are, who the First Aiders are and who has the alarm code. The same applies for technical services used by your company, whether telecommunications, website hosting – whatever the service may be.
Put together a list of who has access to what. Set up secondary accounts with another person, just in case. You don’t want to be left in the situation where someone leaves the company and takes that access with them. We have seen this happen time and time again!
Your company domain name is an asset
It is an important company asset, just as important as bricks and mortar premises, your warehouse stock and your customer information. Make it your business to know what and where it is!
I hope that this blog has given you the answer to the question ‘what is a domain name?,’ and that you now understand its importance to your business, and your ability to show or sell products and services via your company website.
If you are still unsure where your domain name is registered or need our help to develop your website for a better online presence, call The Capture Factory on 01538 787559 or contact us today..
Our team is ready to answer any questions you may have and begin your online journey.
