The domain name is the address at which a website can be reached. It also underpins the email address used to communicate with customers. This choice, often made quickly when a business is launched, has lasting consequences: changing domain name later means losing part of the visibility you have built up. This article covers what you need to know to choose a domain name, understand extensions and set up a business email address.
What a domain name is for
A domain name serves two purposes. The first is technical: it lets visitors reach the website by typing a readable address rather than a string of numbers. The second is commercial: it appears on business cards, quotes, invoices and in search results. It is therefore part of the company's identity, just like its name or logo.
A domain name is not bought outright: it is rented from a registrar, usually for one renewable year. The annual cost is most often between 5 and 20 euros depending on the extension. If the renewal is not carried out, the name becomes available again and can be registered by a third party.
How to choose the name itself
Several practical criteria help you make a choice that will age well:
- short and easy to spell: a name that can be dictated over the phone without spelling it out limits typing errors;
- without hyphens or numbers if possible: they create confusion when spoken (“hyphen or no hyphen?”, “the digit or the word?”);
- without accents: accented domain names exist, but they cause compatibility problems, particularly for email addresses;
- consistent with the name of the business: if the exact name is already taken, a descriptive addition (activity, city) remains understandable;
- legally checked: a search in the trademark database of the INPI, the French intellectual property office, ensures that the name does not reproduce a registered trademark in the same sector.
Which extension to choose
The extension is the final part of the domain name. The most common ones for a French business are the following:
| Extension | Common use | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| .fr | Business based in France, French customer base | Residence or establishment in the European Union |
| .com | General commercial use, international customer base | None |
| .net | Historically linked to technical services | None |
| .org | Associations and organisations | None (conventional use) |
For a French company, .fr and .com are the two most widespread options. Registering both is common practice: one serves as the main address, the other redirects to it. This prevents a third party from exploiting the variant left available.
The business email address
Once the domain is registered, it can support addresses such as [email protected]. Compared with a generic address, this set-up offers concrete differences:
- the address confirms the sender's identity: the recipient sees that the message comes from the company's domain;
- several mailboxes can be created on the same domain (contact@, quotes@, billing@) and evolve with the team;
- the address stays the same even if you change internet service provider;
- technical settings (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) reduce the risk of messages being classified as spam and of the domain being spoofed.
These settings are configured once, when the domain is set up. They are invisible day to day but directly affect whether messages are received properly.
Renewal and security: the points to watch
Losing a domain name is a frequent and almost always avoidable incident. A few precautions are enough:
- enable automatic renewal and check that the associated payment method is up to date;
- register the domain in the company's name, not in the personal name of a service provider;
- keep the login details for the registrar account and hand them over if you change provider;
- check that the account's contact email address remains valid: it is the one that receives expiry alerts.
The most important point is the name of the registrant: it is the registrant, not the technical provider, who has the right to transfer, renew or sell the domain.
Key takeaways
A domain name is chosen early and kept for a long time. A short name that is easy to spell, a .fr or .com extension, registration in the company's name and automatic renewal cover the essential needs of a small or medium-sized business. The associated business email address can be set up in a few hours and is then used without any change of habits.
Launching a website, or looking to take back control of your domain name and email addresses? Contact Créacodeal to discuss it, or take a look at our services.