What You Need to Know About Website Domains Before Starting Your Website Project reference image

So you’re ready to build a new website for your business. You’ve found a web design agency that gets your goals and ideas (hi, we’re RAZOR), and you’re keen to get cracking. But before your website developers can start designing, coding, or connecting anything, there’s one important thing we need to lock in: your domain. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through what you need to have on hand when engaging a website developer, how to register your domain, and some common providers to check out if you don’t have one yet. 

Whether you’re setting up your first site or rebranding an existing business, let’s break it down. 

First things first: What is a domain name?

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Think of it like your digital street address - it’s how people find you online. For example, razor.nz is our domain name. 

If you’re a small-medium business, your domain should ideally reflect your business name, be easy to remember, and align with your brand. 

Do I need a domain before I build my website?

Yes - ideally. If you’re planning on working with a website creator like us, it’s helpful to have your domain name registered beforehand. This allows us to:

  • Set up your staging and live environments
  • Connect hosting and email services
  • Integrate analytics and third-party tools
  • Avoid delays during the design and development process

Don’t have a domain yet? No stress - we can help you get set up. 

How to register your domain name

To register your domain, you’ll need to:

  1. Choose your domain name - aim for something short, relevant, and on-brand.
  2. Check availability - use a domain search tool to see if your desired name is available. 
  3. Register through a domain provider - pay an annual fee to secure your domain. 

Popular domain providers in New Zealand include:

We recommend choosing a provider with local support, DNS management tools, and domain privacy options. 

What your developer needs from you

Once your domain is registered, here’s what you’ll need to provide to your website design agency or developer:

  • Domain registrar login details - so we can update DNS settings if needed
  • Any existing email setup info - if your email is tied to your domain, we’ll ensure it’s not disrupted
  • Confirmation of who will manage renewals - so your domain doesn’t accidentally expire. 

Already have a domain but not sure who it’s registered with? You will receive an annual invoice for your domain, so look back through your records. If an IT provider manages your domain for you, they should know who your domain is registered with. 

Don’t have a domain yet? We can help. 

If you’re starting fresh, our team can help you:

  • Brainstorm domain name ideas
  • Check availability
  • Set up your domain and connect it to your website hosting
  • Manage renewals and DNS settings

As part of your website project, we can also help with:

Let’s get your domain (and website) sorted

Whether you’re looking to launch a new Shopify site, or refresh your existing website, your domain is the first step to getting found online. 

At RAZOR, we make it easy. We work with small businesses across New Zealand, from Auckland to Queenstown and everywhere in between, to create sharp, strategic websites that work hard and look good. 

Need help registering your domain or planning your website? Let’s chat.