How to use a Custom Domain with Voolt
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why some small businesses stand out online while others get lost in the crowd?
It’s not just about having a great website; it’s about having a memorable domain that makes it easy for customers to find and trust you. For home service professionals and tradespeople, the right domain can be the difference between getting lost in a sea of competitors or shining with a professional edge that instantly builds credibility. But if you’re a small business owner who isn’t particularly tech-savvy, the process of acquiring a custom domain might sound intimidating.
Enter Voolt.
Voolt makes it incredibly easy for you to secure and manage your very own custom domain, even if you have no technical expertise. Whether you're starting fresh with a new domain or want to link one you already own, Voolt offers a hassle-free, time-efficient solution. And the best part? You can handle everything in just a few clicks, leaving you with more time to focus on growing your business. This blog will guide you step-by-step through how to get your custom domain with Voolt and why it’s an essential move for any business looking to boost its online presence.
Key Takeaways
- Custom domain: A personalized domain is essential for boosting your business’s visibility and credibility online.
- Voolt's simplicity: Voolt makes acquiring, linking, and managing custom domains effortless, even for non-tech-savvy business owners.
- Professional touch: Having a custom domain shows professionalism, making your business stand out from competitors in the market.
- Time-efficient: Voolt's easy-to-follow steps mean you can secure your domain quickly and spend more time focusing on your business.
Why Your Business Needs a Custom Domain
Your domain is much more than just a web address—it’s your digital identity. Think of it like your storefront's sign. It’s what people type into their browser to find you online, and first impressions matter! When a customer sees your business has a custom domain, it signals that you're a credible and trustworthy brand. Here’s why having a custom domain is so vital for your business:
1. Credibility and Professionalism
In today’s competitive market, particularly for small business owners like plumbers, electricians, or handyman, you need every advantage to stand out. Using a custom domain instead of a subdomain (like yourbusiness.voolt.com) gives your business that extra layer of professionalism. It shows that you're serious about your online presence and have invested in your brand. For potential customers, a professional-looking website with a custom domain helps establish trust from the first click.
2. Boosts Discoverability
When you have a custom domain that’s easy to remember, it becomes much simpler for people to find you online. Instead of relying on generic URLs, you can create a memorable web address that reflects your business. For example, 'www.joesplumbing.com' is a lot easier to remember and search for than 'joesplumbing.voolt.com'. Plus, it helps with SEO—search engines like Google prioritize businesses with their own domain names, making your site easier to discover in local search results.
3. Branding Power
A domain name that matches your business helps with consistent branding. Customers are more likely to remember your name, recommend it to others, and trust it because of the consistency across your website, social media, and marketing materials. This consistency makes your business look bigger and more established, which is crucial when you're competing with larger companies or more experienced professionals in your field.
4. Easier Customer Access
Just like a physical address is necessary for customers to find your shop or office, a domain name is the digital equivalent. Without it, you risk customers going elsewhere, especially if they can't easily find or remember how to access your services online. The more accessible you make it for your customers to reach you, the better your chances of converting them into repeat clients.
How to Secure a Custom Domain with Voolt
Now that you understand why a custom domain is essential, let’s dive into how to actually get one with Voolt. Spoiler alert: it’s super easy.
Step 1: Log in to Your Voolt Dashboard
First, head over to your Voolt account and log in. If you’re new to Voolt, you can quickly create an account by following the on-screen instructions. Once inside, navigate to the left-hand menu and click on "Website", then select "Domains".
Step 2: Find Your Perfect Custom Domain
Under the "Get custom domain name" section, you'll have two options:
- Enter a Keyword: If you already have a specific name in mind, you can enter keywords that reflect your business. Voolt’s AI will then generate available domain options for you.
- AI Suggestions: Not sure what you want? No problem! Voolt will suggest available domain names based on your business type and keywords. You’ll get a list of suggestions that are available to purchase immediately.
Step 3: Purchase and Confirm
Once you've found the perfect domain, click "Buy Now". Before confirming, make sure to double-check the spelling of your chosen domain. Voolt will prompt you to verify this by ticking a confirmation box.
Next, proceed to the payment page, where you’ll complete the purchase of $19/year. After payment, Voolt will handle the technical setup, so you don’t have to worry about configuring DNS settings or any other complicated tasks.
And that’s it! Your custom domain is now registered and automatically linked to your Voolt website. You can start using it right away to promote your business online.
Linking Your Existing Domain to Voolt
If you already own a domain, linking it to your Voolt website is just as easy as buying a new one. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Navigate to the Domains Section
Log in to your Voolt account, click "Website" in the left-hand menu, and then select "Domains". This will take you to the domain management page.
Step 2: Add Your Existing Domain
Scroll down to the "Use your own domain" section and click "Setup Domain".
Enter your existing domain name in the field provided, and click "Link Domain".
Step 3: Update Your Nameservers
Next, you’ll need to update your domain’s nameservers with your registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains). When prompted, replace the current nameservers with the following:
- ns1.voolt.com
- ns2.voolt.com
Once you've updated your nameservers, click "Done" in Voolt, and your domain will begin linking. It may take up to 48 hours for the changes to fully take effect, but once they do, your existing domain will be live and linked to your Voolt website.
Managing Your Domain Settings with Voolt
Voolt not only makes it easy to secure or link your domain, but it also simplifies ongoing domain management. Here are a few important aspects of managing your domain once it’s set up:
1. Renewing Your Domain
Domain registrations typically last for one year. When the time comes to renew, Voolt will notify you in advance to ensure you don’t accidentally lose your domain. Renewing it is as simple as a few clicks from your Voolt dashboard.
2. Updating Contact Information
Your domain registration requires contact details, including your name and business information. If any of these changes, you can easily update them from the Domains section in your Voolt dashboard.
3. Managing DNS Settings
While Voolt handles most of the technical work for you, advanced users may want to tweak their DNS settings. Voolt provides a user-friendly interface for this, allowing you to manage your domain’s configuration without overwhelming you with technical jargon.
Conclusion
In today’s digital-first world, securing a custom domain is essential for small businesses that want to stand out, especially for home service pros and tradespeople. A custom domain not only helps build credibility and trust, but it also makes your business easier to find, enhancing your brand’s professional image. With Voolt, the process of acquiring, linking, and managing a domain is seamless, efficient, and designed with small business owners in mind.
Whether you're purchasing a new domain or linking an existing one, Voolt’s intuitive platform takes the hassle out of domain management, letting you focus on what really matters—growing your business. So why wait? Secure your custom domain today with Voolt and give your business the online presence it deserves!
