A domain name is the web address customers type into a browser to find your site. Domains are popular because they make websites easy to remember and share, and they serve as a key part of your online identity. This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing a domain and why it matters for your business.

Each domain you register can be connected to your business, helping with credibility, branding, and marketing efforts. Before you buy, it’s important to check if the name is available and consider how it will appear in each engine marketing context, from search results to social media links.

While you can publish a website with a free subdomain (like yourbusiness.yolasite.com), owning a custom domain, for example, yourbusiness.com, offers distinct advantages.

Before we look at the main benefits, let’s answer some common questions about domains.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is your website’s unique address on the internet. It’s what people type into the browser bar to visit your site, like example.com. Without a domain, users would have to enter a long string of numbers (an IP address) to reach your site.

Your domain becomes part of your brand name and identity online, whether you’re running a small shop, building a personal brand, or launching a new landing page.

How do domain names work?

Every website is stored on a server and can be identified by an IP address, which is a string of numbers computers use to locate it. For humans, remembering these numbers is difficult, so domains help by acting as easy-to-remember shortcuts. The URLs you type into a browser are tied to these domains, allowing anyone who wants to visit your site to reach it quickly.

Many website builders include domains provided with their free plans, but these are usually a generic domain like yourbusiness.yolasite.com. Instead of using a generic domain, registering a custom domain makes your website easier to find, more professional, and helps your brand stand out.

Domains also play a role in security. Clear domains make it easier for visitors to trust your site and reduce the risk of phishing, since users can verify that the domain belongs to your business.

By setting up a custom domain, your URLs become recognizable, memorable, and connected to your business, reinforcing credibility and helping your brand every time someone visits or shares your site.

With Yola, you can claim your free .com domain for one year when you purchase one of the annual hosting plans, and pick from 15+ free extensions if .com isn’t the right fit. Find out more.

Domain vs. hosting: What’s the difference?

Many beginners confuse domains and hosting, but they serve two distinct purposes. Your domain is a  human-friendly name visitors type into their browser, like yourbusiness.com. Hosting, on the other hand, is the space on a server where all your website files, images, and content are stored. Think of it this way: the domain is your street address, and hosting is your house.

When you select a domain, you’re essentially choosing the address people will remember and use to want to visit your site. A well-chosen domain reinforces your brand and makes your website easier to find. If you rely on a free or generic domain, your visitors may not take your site seriously, and it can even increase the chance of your emails being marked as spam.

Once you’ve picked your desired domain name, you typically manage it through a dashboard provided by your registrar or website builder. From there, you can add a domain, configure DNS settings, and connect it to your website or email. The DNS (Domain Name System) acts like a phonebook for the internet, translating your domain into the server’s IP address so visitors reach the right location.

A perfect domain not only reflects your brand but also improves credibility and trust. By combining a personalized domain with reliable hosting, you create a seamless experience for visitors, reduce confusion, and protect your online identity from spam or phishing attempts.

Different types of domain names

Domains are made up of a name (like yola) and an extension (like .com). Extensions are sometimes called TLDs (top-level domains), and the type of domain you choose can affect your branding, SEO, and marketing efforts.

.com – The most widely recognized and trusted option for businesses. Ideal for most industries, it reinforces credibility and is easy for visitors to remember.
Country-specific extensions – Such as .ca for Canada or .co.uk for the UK. These are great if you want to target local audiences and support your search engine marketing efforts by signaling regional relevance.
.org – Often used by nonprofits or mission-driven organizations. It helps differentiate your purpose-driven brand from commercial businesses.
.net – Frequently chosen by technology or network-focused companies.
Newer extensions – Options like .design, .shop, or .studio allow you to choose your domain in a way that reflects your niche, industry, or creative focus. These extensions are useful for online campaigns, especially when the traditional .com for your desired name is already taken.

When considering a domain, think about your custom domain cost in relation to the value it provides. A slightly higher investment in a strong, relevant domain can improve trust, click-through rates, and the overall effectiveness of your marketing campaigns.
By selecting the right domain and extension, you ensure your website is easy to find, memorable, and aligned with your search engine marketing strategy. This is especially important if you plan to run paid or organic online campaigns that rely on users recognizing and trusting your domain.

If you already own a domain from a third-party registrar like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Bluehost, you can easily add a domain and connect it to your Yola website. You’ll need to update the DNS settings at your registrar so that your domain points to your Yola site. Once configured, visitors who type your custom domain into their browser will be directed to your website seamlessly, giving you a professional, branded online presence without needing to transfer your domain registration.

Why a custom domain name matters for your business website

Your website address shapes how people see and interact with your brand online. A custom domain can influence how trustworthy you look, how easily customers find you, and how memorable your business becomes.

Here are three major benefits of using a custom domain:

1. Branding benefits of a custom domain

Your domain is part of your brand identity. Imagine running a bakery called Yummy Cupcakes. Which looks better: yummycupcakes.com or yummycupcakes.yolasite.com? The first one clearly reinforces your business name, while the second feels like a placeholder.

A matching domain also makes your business easier to remember and share. Think of big brands: google.com, etsy.com, airbnb.com. Their names and domains are inseparable.

With a custom domain, you can also create branded email addresses, like info@yummycupcakes.com or hello@brightconsulting.com. Emails from these addresses look professional and reassure customers that they’re dealing with a real business. Compare that to victoria2804@gmail.com—less memorable, and less credible.

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2. How a custom domain builds website credibility

A custom domain signals investment. Customers often decide in a few seconds whether to trust a website. If your URL looks temporary, people may question whether your business is established.

Take two scenarios:

• A landscaping business using greenlawns.com appears established and reliable.
• The same business using greenlawns.freewebsite.com can raise doubts about professionalism.

For service providers (contractors, tutors, consultants, health professionals) a strong domain can help tip the balance between a customer choosing you or your competitor.

Yola makes it easy to get a custom domain through its built-in registrar, so you can register, manage, and connect your custom domain to your website without extra hassle.

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3. How a domain name impacts SEO and website traffic

A clean, relevant domain name can encourage people to click through when they see you in search results or on social media. For example, a pet grooming business called HappyPaws will likely get more clicks if the domain is happypaws.com rather than happypaws123.freehost.com.

Your domain extension can also support visibility. A Canadian café using coffeebar.ca may appear more prominently to Canadian customers, while a nonprofit using .org can strengthen its identity as a mission-driven organization.

Of course, search engines prioritize content and backlinks more than domain names—but a relevant domain still contributes to how discoverable and trustworthy you look at first glance.

How to choose the best domain for your business website

Using a domain that’s registered through a trusted domain registrar helps establish credibility and brand recognition for your business. When your domain is personalized, it reflects your identity and makes your website more memorable to visitors.

Even if your domain is already taken, tools from Yola can help you find alternative extensions or suggestions so you can still use a domain that fits your brand perfectly.

Start building your online presence today with a domain that truly represents you and elevates your website’s professional image.