Do you need to register multiple domain names?

Choosing a domain name is an important step in building an online brand. But is it wise to register multiple domain names? In this blog, we discuss the advantages, disadvantages and strategies around claiming additional domains for your business.

Why register multiple domain names?

There are several reasons why businesses and entrepreneurs choose to register multiple domain names, below are a few examples of reasons that are common:

1. Protecting your brand

By registering variants and common typos in addition to your main domain name, you prevent competitors or malicious people from taking advantage of it. For example:

jebedrijf.nl

jebedrijf.com

je-bedrjf.nl

jebedrjf.nl (common typo)

Domain names can be registered by just about anyone, and if you become successful enough, or have a former customer with remorse, for example, then the domain name can be registered with a different extension or spelling, and this can result in trademark damage. Legal action is often possible in this, but prevention is often better than cure in this. And also a lot cheaper than legal action.

2. SEO and traffic retention

By registering frequently used search terms or variations of your brand as an extra domain, you can attract extra traffic. This works especially well if you redirect to your main website. You can do this with a 301 permanent redirect, which redirects all the value of the domain name to your main domain name. For example, with buying an already existing domain name in your industry, acquisitions, and other reasons.

3. Expand Internationally

If you operate in multiple countries, it is smart to register the corresponding country extensions, such as:

yourcompany.com

yourcompany.be

yourcompany.de

This allows you to provide more connection to the specific country, and in this helps build trust in the new market. For example, an Italian domain name will be foreign to the Dutch market, and visa versa. International domain names such as .com or .eu can also be used more broadly for this. And is in this more recognized in multiple countries.

4. Specific campaigns or services

Sometimes it can be useful to use a separate domain name for certain marketing campaigns or product lines. For example:

zomerdealsjebedrijf.nl

webshop-jebedrijf.nl

However, it is more often more convenient in many situations to use a subdomain or a separate landing page on your website, however it depends on your situation what is most convenient in this. A subdomain can be created within most hosting packages at MijnHostingPartner.nl at no extra cost, and can be set up easily.

Disadvantages of multiple domain names

While there are advantages to registering additional domain names, there are also disadvantages. The most obvious disadvantage, of course, is that it involves more costs for these additional domain names. Although of course this is minor compared to other costs of running and running a website. Many of our packages also support multiple domain names in one package. So you can use them effortlessly. Check the specifications of your package, or make a ticket to the helpdesk as soon as you order a new domain name. We can then help you think about what would be most convenient.

Besides the costs there is also the disadvantage that additional domain names and especially separate websites require maintenance, so this can create more work to maintain and update. So be aware of this if your daily schedule is already completely full with the activities of your main domain name and website.

There is also a risk for SEO or search engine optimization, if you copy content and put it on the new domain name it can result in a penalty for duplicate content. Which can affect the ranking of your main domain name. So always pay attention to this and make sure you add correct meta tags and link correctly.

Best strategy for domain name registration

Want to register multiple domain names? Here are some smart strategies:

Register your brand name with the most popular extensions (.nl, .com, .eu).

Claim common typos and alternate spellings.

Use country-specific domains if you are going international.

Redirect additional domains to your main website to avoid SEO loss.

Think carefully about additional domains for marketing campaigns.

Registering multiple domain names can be a smart move to protect your brand, increase your online presence and bring in additional traffic. However, it must be done strategically to minimize costs and confusion. Ask yourself, Does this additional domain name really contribute to my online success?

Want advice on which domain names to register within your hosting? Contact MijnHostingPartner.nl!