The domain is the most important part of your association or club website, and it is imperative that your club or organization properly set it up when registering to prevent problems down the road. In this Website Tips for Clubs article, we discuss how to setup a domain, choosing the best domain name for your club or organization, and how much it should cost you to purchase one from a reputable registrar.

Proper Setup of a Club Website Domain Name

Make sure the “Organization” details is filled out with the club’s full legal name in the Registrant/Administrative contact! This is important, because should a Volunteer register the domain name under a personal name, the club’s domain is legally that individuals property. Should bad blood happen, or an unforeseen tragedy, to recover your club’s domain name will take a long and drawn out legal process (court orders, death certificates, lawsuits). You don’t need this for something as easy as properly putting the club’s name in the organization.

Now you can see why it’s important to enter your Club Information – This is a Legal Record

Try to avoid using a personal credit card to pay for the transaction. Here’s the secret that many don’t know: PayPal is an accepted payment by large domain Registrars (GoDaddy, etc). You can make an online payment with the Club’s Checking Account using PayPal. It is free for you to use, and no risk as they are a highly reputable company. If you don’t have access to the checking account when setting up a club website, wait to talk to the treasurer. Of course, you can always purchase a domain and be reimbursed, but make sure the Automatic PayPal eCheck type payment is setup.

Choosing the Right Website Address

Do not make a rookie mistake and pick a bad domain name for your club. Chances are, the club name is Long, Somewhat Generic (and strangely spelled), and Possibly a Terrible Acronym.

Don’t Do the Following with your Club Website Address!

• Pick an Overly long Name:
  WestinghouseVermillionVancouverTrailRiders.com
• TrailRiderz.org
  (Was that trailriders.org, trailriders.net, trailriderz.com?)
• wvvtr.com
  Don’t abbreviate no one will remember that

The bigger takeaway is common sense. Remember, you need to identify how people will find you, what they will remember you by, or what can set you apart. Simple names that have close matches are a bad idea when you’re getting started. Yes, proper Search Engine Optimization can overcome a poorly planned website domain name, but its better to get started on the right foot.

I am a big fan of Locations + Name .com types of combinations that aren’t too long. Organizations especially should consider how they want people to find them. If you are a club surrounded by big dogs, picking an area name for your domain may not be bad. “DuluthSnowmobilers.com”  looks more attractive than “FonDuLacSuperiorRiders” However, FonDuLacSuperiorRiders isnt necessarily a bad name, but you need to plan to be something that people can easily remember.  Using a City or Region is usually far better. Example “AppletonLegion.com” opposed to Legion5774.com  – you get the idea.

Domain Registration Costs and Optional Services

Domains are not expensive, but the add on services can cost you. Often times Packages are sold, free domains with hosting. The hosting is sub par, and you are locked in. Altogether, domains should cost you about $12 a year. We recommend GoDaddy, Tucows, Name.com, for registration. Yes, we also offer domain registration services as well.

Ha! no. They have nothing close to our service features 🙂

So no, we are not worried to tell you to go buy a domain from them, and hosting from us.[/box]

Pricing of Domain Name Registration can Vary

Other tips to help you save money with your domain name is to avoid paying for things that you don’t need to

• Don’t pay for email, use a Free Email forward
• Don’t use a registrar that charged you for DNS modifications (a records, etc)
• Don’t pay for privacy. If your name’s on the roster, why not put it on the registrar?
• Don’t pay extra for locks, and other up sells.