Build a Trusted Business Identity Online

1. Choose a Domain Name

Before you can create your website, you need a domain. This is where your website lives online.

Think of it this way: if your website is your house, your domain is the plot of land you have to buy before you can even start building your house.

What is a domain?

A domain, also known as a web address, is where people go to find you online. For example, our web address is newjerseyregisteredagent.com. There are two main parts to pay attention to:

1. The Domain Name: newjerseyregisteredagent
2. The Top-Level Domain (TLD): .com

How do I choose a domain name?

A good domain name should be easy to remember and clearly connected to your business. If you sell shoes, for example, it’s probably a good idea to get the word “shoes” in your domain name.

As for the top-level domain, most people go with .com because it’s most common.

Should I choose something other than .com for my domain?

You’ll probably want to stick with .com as the ending for your domain because it’s pretty standard at this point. However there are a few good reasons to consider different TLDs:

• Uniqueness: Choose a TLD that fits your brand. If you own a tutoring company, you could potentially go with .study to set you apart from the crowd.
• Availability: Lots have people have gone with .net because the .com wasn’t available. It’s a logical move, but we wouldn’t advise it. (See below.)
• Protection: Once you’ve chosen your domain name, buying a selection of other, similar domain names is one of the best (and easiest) ways to secure your spot on the web. Already got the .com? Buy the .net, too, so no other brands swoop into your online space.

2. Own Your Business Website

Your business website is the public-facing aspect of your Online Business Identity. This is where you’ll showcase your goods and/or services, tell your story, and provide contact information to interact with your customers.

What information should I include in my website?

There are three super important elements of a business website:

1. Images: Customers will want to see photos of your products, pictures of your location, or even headshots of the people who work for you—whatever’s relevant. This is a visual medium, after all!
2. Content: In addition to details about your goods and/or services, it’s a good idea to include the story of how your company came to be, which is usually included in an “About Us” section.
3. Contact Info: Tell customers how they can reach you, whether through online sales or via email.

3. Set Up Company Email Addresses

The email you use for your business should be tied to your domain name. Instead of having your customers email a generic account like [email protected], they should email you through your business: [email protected].

How do I create a professional email address?

To get an email address tied to your business, you need to make sure two important pieces are in place:

1. Own your domain.
2. Have an email hosting provider.

These services aren’t always provided by the same company, which can make setting up a work computer confusing (and laborious). Fortunately, our Business Identity package gives you everything you need to get online and start sending mail, from a domain name to email hosting.

4. Get a NJ Phone Number

Having a business phone line helps keep your business life separate from your personal life. While you could get a new phone and add a line to your existing account, that’s expensive—and unnecessary.

An internet-based phone service, like ours, will give you a unique phone number you can use exclusively for work. You can also access it from your personal device, so there’s no need to buy any extra hardware.

What’s an internet-based phone number?

An internet-based phone number allows you to make calls over the internet using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. In simple terms: this technology allows you to make and receive calls using a web browser or a phone app, instead of using traditional phone lines.

Does having a dedicated business phone number make me look more credible?

Having a business phone number lends professionalism and credibility to your business by creating a dedicated space for business conversations. You’ll always know when to answer the phone with a professional greeting instead of a casual “hey.”