What is a company domain?

Company domain

A company domain is the unique web address that identifies your business online. It's what people type into their browser to find you: yourcompany.com, yourcompany.org, or yourcompany.net. Think of it as your digital street address, except this one works anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Your company domain consists of two parts: the name you choose (like "activecampaign") and the extension that follows it (like ".com"). Together, they create the foundation for your website, your professional email addresses, and your overall online identity.

Why your company domain matters

Your domain does more than point people to a website. It shapes how customers perceive your business before they ever interact with you.

A professional domain signals legitimacy. When someone sees an email from sarah@yourcompany.com instead of yourcompany2847@gmail.com, they're more likely to open it. That credibility extends to every touchpoint: your website, your invoices, your marketing campaigns.

Your domain also affects email deliverability. Inbox providers evaluate your sending domain when deciding whether your messages reach the inbox or the spam folder. A well-maintained company domain with proper authentication builds the reputation you need for reliable delivery.

How to choose a company domain name

The best domain names share a few characteristics:

• Short and memorable. Fewer characters mean fewer typos and easier word-of-mouth sharing.
• Easy to spell. Avoid homophones, unusual spellings, or words people commonly misspell.
• Relevant to your brand. Your domain should connect clearly to your business name or what you do.
• Free of hyphens and numbers. These create confusion when you share your address verbally.

If your ideal .com is taken, consider alternatives like .co, .io, or industry-specific extensions. A .company domain works well for businesses that want to emphasize their professional identity without competing for crowded .com real estate.

Setting up your company domain

1. Check availability. Use a domain registrar to search for your preferred name. If it's taken, explore variations or different extensions.
2. Register the domain. Purchase through a reputable registrar and consider registering for multiple years to avoid accidental expiration.
3. Configure DNS settings. Point your domain to your website hosting and set up the records needed for email delivery.
4. Set up email authentication. Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to protect your email domain from spoofing and improve deliverability.
5. Create professional email addresses. Build addresses that match your domain for sales, support, and individual team members.

Protecting your company domain

Your domain is a business asset worth protecting. A few practices keep it secure:

Enable auto-renewal. Domains that expire can be snatched up by competitors or domain squatters within hours. Auto-renewal eliminates that risk.

Use registrar lock. This prevents unauthorized transfers of your domain to another registrar.

Keep contact information current. Your registrar needs accurate details to reach you about renewals, security issues, or policy changes.

Monitor for lookalikes. Bad actors sometimes register domains that closely resemble legitimate businesses to intercept traffic or launch phishing attacks. Periodic monitoring helps you catch these early.

Company domain vs. personal domain

A company domain represents your business entity. It's where customers find your products, services, and contact information. A personal domain, by contrast, typically represents an individual and is often used for portfolios, resumes, or personal blogs.

The key difference lies in purpose and perception. Company domains carry the weight of your brand reputation and serve as the foundation for professional email addresses, marketing campaigns, and customer trust. Personal domains serve individual identity rather than organizational credibility.

FAQs

What's the difference between a domain and a URL?
A domain is your web address (yourcompany.com). A URL is the complete path to a specific page (yourcompany.com/products/widget). Your domain is the foundation; URLs are the specific locations within it.

How much does a company domain cost?
Standard domains typically cost between $10 and $50 per year, depending on the extension. Premium domains with highly desirable names can cost significantly more.

Can I change my company domain later?
Yes, but it requires careful planning. You'll need to redirect your old domain, update all marketing materials, and rebuild any domain authority you've accumulated with search engines.

Should I buy multiple domain extensions?
Purchasing common variations (.com, .net, .org) and common misspellings protects your brand and prevents competitors from capitalizing on your name recognition.

Ready to build your email marketing on a solid foundation? Start your free ActiveCampaign trial and see how proper domain setup powers better deliverability.