What Is A Custom Domain & Why You Should Use One For Your Next Campaign

What is a custom domain? It’s a unique web address you own and control, allowing you to brand your website with a memorable and professional URL. First impressions matter more than ever, and a unique domain name for your business can make a massive difference to your branding. Here we define a custom domain and how it can benefit your marketing, boost your credibility, and help you stand out. Whether you’re launching a new product, promoting an event, or running targeted campaigns, we’ll show you why registering a domain specifically branded for your business is a smart move for your site’s visibility and the success of your next campaign.

What is a Custom Domain?

Before we define custom domains in detail, let’s look at what a domain name or URL is. Simply put, a custom domain is the unique web address you choose and register for your website. Domain names are human-readable labels for websites, instead of the numerical IP addresses browsers use to communicate with web servers. They consist of two parts:

The Second Level Domain (SLD) is the core part of your domain that directly reflects your brand or business, for example: “yourwebsite”. Next is the Top-Level Domain (TLD) the extension at the end, like “.com” or “.org”. Together they form the complete domain name ” yourwebsite.com”, sometimes called a URL.

Generic Domains vs Custom Domains

A generic domain is a web address that uses common words or phrases related to a particular product, service, or industry, rather than a specific brand name. These domains typically describe what the website is about in a general way.

These domains usually use common terms or phrases related to a product or service and frequently include popular search terms or industry keywords. They don’t typically include a specific company or brand name and are usually short, and easy to type and remember. Examples of generic domains are “travel.com” and “cheaptickets.com”.

Pros of Generic Domains:

1. Can be descriptive of the content or purpose of the website
2. May perform well in search results for those specific keywords
3. Can be easier for users to remember if they’re searching for a particular product or service.

Cons of Generic Domains:

1. May lack uniqueness and brand identity
2. Can be difficult or expensive to acquire due to their general nature
3. Can face stronger competition in search results
4. Could be seen as less trustworthy or professional compared to branded domains.

Like all domains, a custom domain name is the personalized internet address you choose and register for your website with a TLD. However, the difference between these and general domains is that the SLD is tailored to your brand identity.

For example, instead of using a generic address like “website.com”, a custom domain could be “yourbrandname.com.”

While generic domains can be effective, they generally don’t offer the same brand-building and long-term value as custom domains. For most campaigns, a custom domain incorporating your brand name, or a campaign-specific term can be much more beneficial.

Benefits of Using a Custom Domain

There are multiple benefits to choosing a custom domain for your website and campaigns.

Increased Brand Credibility

Using a custom domain can instantly boost your brand’s credibility and professionalism. When a unique, branded domain name is used, users are more likely to trust your site and perceive your business as established and legitimate.

This trust factor is important for businesses looking to establish themselves and attract customers. Using a custom domain also helps set you apart from competitors who use generic or host-provided options.

Better User Experience & Recall

Custom domains contribute to a better user experience and brand recall. They are easier to remember; a domain that matches your brand name is more memorable than a generic one and is easier for users to associate with you.

Short, relevant domain names are simpler to type and reduce the chance of spelling errors when users search for your site.

They create consistent branding aligning with your other marketing, making a unified brand experience.

Improved Email Communication

Custom domains can improve your email marketing in several ways. First, they create a professional image for your business. For example, instead of using an email domain like “yourbrand@gmail.com”, “name@yourbrandname.com appears much more trustworthy and the emails you send can become a branding opportunity.

Recipients are more likely to open emails from recognizable, professional-looking addresses. Email providers are generally less likely to flag these emails as spam.

How a Custom Domain Can Help Your Next Campaign

A custom domain with web hosting is more than just a website address; you can use it to boost your marketing campaign’s visibility and impact. As mentioned earlier, custom domains reinforce your brand identity. When every interaction, from email to landing pages, has your brand’s domain, recall improves.

When you create a customized domain that can be integrated into your digital marketing channels, from social media to email, for consistent, professional branding, you establish a memorable touchpoint for your target audience.

Having a cohesive brand experience across multiple touchpoints encourages more interaction with your campaign. This can lead to higher engagement and ultimately, better results because customers are more likely to engage with a campaign hosted on a recognizable domain.

Custom domains allow for better tracking of campaign performance. You can effectively measure open rates, clicks, impressions, and other marketing metrics.

Compared to campaigns using generic domains, those with custom domains often see a noticeable increase in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as higher click-throughs, lower bounce rates, and increased conversions.

Tips for Choosing a Custom Domain Name

Choosing the perfect domain name is the basis for your campaign’s success. Here are some tips to help you create one that works for your business and marketing:

• Keep it short and simple; it should be easy to type and remember.
• Keep the length between 6-14 characters (if possible).
• Use your brand name to create consistency and strengthen recognition.
• Make it relevant to your campaign or business purpose.
• Avoid numbers and hyphens as these can lead to typos and reduce memorability.
• Use relevant keywords if they fit naturally and can improve search visibility.
• Ensure your social media handles match your domain if possible.
• Think long-term and choose one that aligns with your future growth.

Note: While keywords in URLs were once considered beneficial, their effect on SEO has diminished recently. Rather focus on creating a memorable and relevant domain that resonates with your audience.

Choosing a TLD

The TLD you use can influence how your brand or campaign is perceived. Ensure your chosen extension aligns with your target audience and overall branding. Here are a few examples:

.com: The most widely recognized and preferred TLD for most businesses.

.org: Often associated with non-profit organizations.

.io: Popular among tech companies.

Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) like “.us” or “.ca” can target specific geographic markets.

Industry-specific TLDs like “.ai”, “.shop”, and “.tech” can be specific to your niche or business type.

Domain Name Registration with Hosted.com

Registering your domain with Hosted.com is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to get your dream domain name registered in no time:

1. Start by using the Domain Search tool to check the availability of your desired domain name and explore other Top-Level Domain (TLD) options.
2. If your preferred domain name is available, it displays as an option. Add it to your cart and click “Next” to proceed.
3. Choose how long you want to register the domain; we offer registration periods ranging from 1 to 10 years.
4. If you’re an existing customer, log in to your account. New customers will need to create a new account with Hosted.
5. Enter your registrant details on the Hosted.com secure form, including your name, email address, and phone number.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the payment. Hosted offers various secure payment options for your convenience.
7. After you’ve completed payment, you’ll receive an email from us. Follow the instructions provided to verify your registration.

By following these steps, your custom domain will be registered and ready to use for your marketing campaign. Once your domain is successfully registered, you can easily manage it and other Hosted.com products through our secure Customer Portal.

Linking Your Custom Domain to Your Campaign’s Landing Page

To connect the new custom domain to your campaign’s landing page you need to configure it in the marketing platform you’re using. These platforms are apps or online tools you use to create, manage, and track marketing campaigns.

They allow you to create and manage landing pages, connect custom domains, track website traffic and conversions, and often include email marketing integration.

Step 1: Configure Domain Name Server

1. Log in to your domain’s control panel.
2. Locate the DNS management section.
3. Add a CNAME record pointing your custom domain to your landing page domain.

Step 2: Verify Ownership in Your Platform

1. Log in to your campaign platform
2. Access the website or domains section.
3. Follow the platform’s instructions to add and verify ownership of your custom domain.
4. This often involves verifying the CNAME record created in Step 1.

The verification may take up to 48 hours (about 2 days) to complete due to Domain Name System (DNS) propagation.

Step 3: Assign to Landing Page

Once verified, you can assign your custom domain to your landing page. The specific steps may vary depending on your platform.

Generally, you’ll navigate to your landing page settings and select the option to assign a custom domain.

Step 4 (Optional): Set up Redirects

If necessary, set up redirects in your domain provider’s control panel. This ensures users always reach your landing page regardless of how they type the address.

Step 5: Install an SSL Certificate

For secure data transfers between users’ browsers and your website, install an SSL Certificate for your custom domain. SSLs encrypt the data transferred so it can’t be read or intercepted.

Step 6: Test the Connection

Use the “Test Connection” button in your campaign platform’s settings to check the custom domain directs correctly to your landing page.

Ensure you create a backup of your DNS records to revert to their original settings in case of issues.

Maximizing the Impact of Your Custom Domain

Once you own your domain and link it to your campaign’s landing page, it’s time to maximize its impact on your marketing campaign. Here’s how:

Consistent Branding Across all Channels:

• Social Profiles: Update your social media profiles to include the custom domain in the website URL field.
• Email Signatures: Encourage your team to incorporate the domain in their email signatures for consistent messaging.
• Ads: Use your custom domain in PPC ads, banners, and sponsored content to create a unified brand experience across platforms.
• Content: Embed your domain strategically in your content like blog posts and video descriptions, driving traffic to your campaign.
• Press Releases: Prominently feature your domain within all press materials for maximum reach and brand recognition.

Track & Analyze Performance

Tools like Google Analytics track metrics like traffic sources, user behavior, and conversion rates to make it easy to understand user engagement. Tag links in different marketing channels with UTM parameters to track campaign performance.

For SEO, Ahrefs and similar tools can monitor and assess your domain’s performance over time. Regularly check who’s linking to your domain and the quality of these backlinks; these can positively influence search engine rankings.

Finally, ensure your landing page loads quickly across all devices for a positive user experience and improved rankings.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• A custom domain gives you a unique, branded web address compared to a generic domain that uses common words or phrases.
• Custom domains offer multiple advantages that can significantly improve your brand’s perception, recall, and marketing.
• Campaigns with custom domains often see higher engagement rates and better overall results.
• The right custom domain and TLD can make or break your campaign, so choosing the right one is essential.
• Setting up and linking your campaign’s custom domain to your landing page is a straightforward process that can be done with basic technical knowledge.
• Using your custom domain across various platforms can boost your campaign’s reach and effectiveness.

FAQs

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– How to Buy an Expired Domain

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– How to Buy A Domain Name Permanently