You Bought a Domain. Now What? (A Checklist for the Confused-but-Hopeful)
Congrats! You did the thing. You bought a domain name. Whether it’s for your dream business, a personal project, or just to stop someone else from snagging it first, you’re officially a domain owner. 🎉 But now that you have it… what’s next?
If you’re feeling a little lost, don’t worry — we’ve put together a clear, step-by-step checklist to help you go from “domain parked” to “domain powerhouse.”
Table of Contents
- Connect Your Domain to a Website
- Set Up Professional Email
- Protect Your Domain With Privacy Features
- Secure Your Site With SSL
- Explore Hosting Options
- Start Building Your Online Presence
- Keep Your Domain Safe With Auto-Renew
1. Connect Your Domain to a Website
Your domain is like your digital street address, but right now, it’s just an empty lot. To make it useful, you’ll need to connect it to a website. If you already have a site built, you can update the DNS settings to point to your website host.
If you don’t have a site yet, don’t stress. Many domain providers (including Rebel) offer simple website builders to help you get started without needing to write a single line of code.
Pro Tip: Keep it simple at first. A one-page site with your name, logo, and contact info is better than an empty placeholder.
2. Set Up Professional Email
Want to look instantly more legit? Create a professional email address that matches your domain (like you@yourdomain.ca). It’s a small step that makes a huge difference when you’re reaching out to clients, collaborators, or even your mom.
With Rebel’s Cloud Email, you can set up domain-based email that works seamlessly across devices.
Why it matters:
- Builds trust with customers
- Keeps your personal inbox separate from business
- Looks polished and credible
3. Protect Your Domain With Privacy Features
When you register a domain, your contact details are added to a public database (WHOIS). Unless you like spam calls from “tech support” scammers, you’ll want to turn on domain privacy protection.
Rebel’s Domain Privacy hides your info from prying eyes, so you can stay focused on building your brand. The first year will be free if you register your domain with us today!
Don’t skip this step. It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent unwanted headaches.
4. Secure Your Site With SSL
An SSL certificate is what puts the little padlock icon next to your domain in browsers telling your customers your website is safe to visit. It encrypts data, protects your visitors, and helps your site rank better on Google.
Even if you’re not selling anything yet, an SSL is a must-have. With Rebel’s web-hosting packages we have a free Let’s Encrypt SSL within your package so there is no extra cost! However, if you already have your website or web-hosting elsewhere you can still secure your website with Rebel’s SSL, that you can get set up in minutes.
Why SSL matters:
- Builds visitor trust
- Required for modern browsers
- Boosts SEO
5. Explore Hosting Options
Your domain needs a home — aka hosting — to serve up your website to visitors. Hosting comes in different flavours:
- Shared Hosting: Affordable, great for simple sites
- Managed WordPress Hosting: Optimized for WordPress users
- VPS Hosting: For when you need more power and flexibility
Rebel offers hosting options that grow with you, so you’re covered whether you’re starting small or scaling big.
6. Start Building Your Online Presence
Now for the fun part: creating your online presence. Whether you use a DIY builder, hire a designer, or dive into WordPress, start small and expand as you go.
Focus on:
- A clear homepage with your value proposition
- About and contact pages
- Basic SEO (so people can find you)
- Connecting social media accounts
This is where your domain starts working for you.
7. Keep Your Domain Safe With Auto-Renew
There is nothing worse than putting in all this effort only to lose your domain because you forgot to renew it. Set up auto-renewal so your domain stays yours year after year.
For extra peace of mind, consider Expiry Protection to guard against expiry.
Ready to Make Your Domain Shine?
Your domain is more than just a name — it’s the foundation of your online identity. Take these steps now, and you’ll be miles ahead of the average domain owner.
Need a hand? Our Help Center and real human support team are here to guide you every step of the way.👉 Search for another domain or start building your site today.