From community arts associations to humanitarian organisations with an international presence, an engaging website is a must for any charity. Not-for-profits rely on websites to raise awareness, engage with supporters and secure much-needed funding.
Every website starts with a good domain name, which is why we’ve dedicated an entire post to the topic. Read on as we cover everything you need to know about domain names for charities, including how to choose a name, check availability, register your address, select a web host and more.
What is a domain name?
Before we get charity specific, let’s take a moment to define exactly what a domain name is. The term describes a unique digital address used to identify a website on the internet. Visitors access the website by typing the domain name into a web browser.
A domain name consists of two parts – the name itself (e.g. yourcharityname) and the domain extension (e.g. .com). Together, these form a complete web address, such as yourcharityname.com.
Why domain names for charities matter
Domain names offer a myriad of benefits for charities. Just ask Claire Sadler, chief marketing and fundraising officer at the British Heart Foundation (BHF). A recent analysis named the BHF one of the top-performing charities in the UK in terms of website traffic, with Sadler commenting “At a time our work has never been more needed, our website is essential in raising funds to support lifesaving research and providing vital health information to people in need.”
Here’s a closer look at why domain names for charities matter:
Build an online presence: Websites often serve as a first point of call for potential supporters. A domain name is a key building block of your charity’s website and helps establish a credible online presence that reflects your core mission.
Be memorable: A domain name is more than just a digital address. It’s a strategic tool that can be used to help supporters to find your charity online. A catchy domain name can also jog memories and draw donors back to your website.
Raise funds: Donations are the bread and butter of most charities, and a domain name can drastically improve giving rates. The latest figures reveal online revenue for charities recently increased by 5%, proving domain names have a critical role to play when it comes to fundraising.
Maintain brand ownership: Registering your domain name gives you full control over your charity’s online presence.
Boost SEO: Incorporate relevant keywords into your domain name to improve your charity’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Crafting memorable domain names for charities
Your domain name is the first thing potential donors see when they visit your website, so it’s important to make a good first impression. Aim for something simple, clear and easy to remember. This is important as it helps supporters find, and ideally return to, your website.
Selecting a domain extension
The domain extension, also called the top-level domain (TLD), is the suffix at the end of your address. For example, .com, .uk, .org and .ngo. Each extension carries its own implications and can influence how your charity is perceived online. While .org is the traditional choice for charities, newer extensions like .ngo and .charity offer unique branding opportunities. Consider your target audience, branding strategy and availability when choosing TLD domain names for charities.
Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular domain extensions for charities:
.org: Widely recognised as the domain extension for charities and non-profits, .org is a trusted choice for organisations looking to underscore their commitment to social good.
.com: As one of the most used domain extensions, .com is versatile and universally recognised. While traditionally associated with commercial entities, many charities opt for a .com TLD for its broad appeal.
.uk and .eu: Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) such as .uk (United Kingdom) and .eu (European Union) offer localised branding opportunities. If your charity operates exclusively within a specific geographic region a ccTLDs can be a clever choice.
.ngo: NGO stands for non-governmental organisation and could be a good choice for your charity, so long as you meet a few prerequisites. You’ll need to operate without government funding and be a non-profit organisation.
.charity: This niche extension is designed specifically for the non-profit sector. If you really want to highlight the altruistic side of your operations, consider a .charity TLD to complement domain names for charities.
Navigating legal considerations
Before registering your domain name, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks or copyrights. Do your research to avoid legal disputes down the road. Additionally, protect your charity’s brand by registering variations of your domain name and relevant trademarks.
Checking domain names for charities
Don’t forget to check availability before setting your heart on a domain name. Domain availability checkers are handy tools that make it easy to instantly search for available names and extensions. Simply punch in your preferred domain name, select and extension and hit search. Availability checkers allow you to mix, match and explore different domain names and extensions.
Registering your domain name
You’ve chosen the perfect name and checked it’s available. Now it’s time to register your domain name and make it official. There are a few ways to do this. One route is to use a domain name registrar like GoDaddy or Google Domains. The process is relatively straightforward – type in your chosen domain name, pay a registration fee and secure your digital web address.
Another option is to register domain names for charities with a dedicated IT and telecommunications service provider, like VS Group. If you like the idea of personalised support and round-the-clock customer service, this is a great option.
You’ve registered your domain name, what’s next?
Registering a domain name brings you one step closer to building an online presence for your charity. But there’s still a bit of work to do. Enter website hosting, another core component of your digital journey.
Understanding website hosting
Website hosting is akin to renting space on the internet to store, manage and run files. Your web host provides this virtual space and makes your site accessible to browsers around the world. This is why it’s so important to choose a reliable hosting provider.
Key features of web hosting
The web hosting experience can vary significantly between providers. Some hosts offer a bare-bones service while others charge a premium for advanced features. How do you choose the right web host for your charity? Here are some key features to keep in mind when vetting your options:
Reliability: Look for a reliable hosting provider with an excellent track record of uptime. This will help ensure your website remains accessible 24/7 without any downtime.
Speed and performance: It’s worth upgrading to a web host that offers lightning-fast load times and performance optimisation measures – features that promise a seamless browsing experience for your visitors.
Security: Prioritise security features like SSL certificates, firewalls, encryption and backups to safeguard your website against cyber threats. This is especially relevant to charities, which handle sensitive information like donor credit card details.
Scalability: Choose a hosting solution that can grow and evolve with your charity. Tiered plans give you the freedom to easily upgrade resources on-demand to accommodate increased traffic.
Bundled packages: Consider bundling domain name registration for charities with a web hosting service. Sourcing both services from the same provider is a quick and easy way to set up and manage your charity’s website.
Managed hosting: Of all the upgrades worth investing in, managed hosting is one of the most valuable. Your host manages all the technical aspects of your site, leaving you free to focus on your charity’s mission.
Managed hosting: take your website to the next level
Why couple domain names for charities with managed website hosting? Some major benefits of a managed service include:
Security scans: Regular security scans and updates protect your website from viruses, malware, hackers and other cyber threats.
Performance monitoring: Enjoy continuous monitoring of your website’s performance metrics. This proactive approach speeds up times and optimises the user experience.
24/7 support: Managed hosting gives you access to round-the-clock technical support from a dedicated team of professionals.
Automatic backups: In the event of a technical disaster, scheduled backups of your web data and files ensure your content is recoverable.
Scalability: The best web hosts offer tiered plans and flexible options to accommodate fluctuations in traffic. This not only gives your charity room to grow but ensures your website remains accessible and responsive at all times.
Elevate your online presence with VS Group
Ready to elevate your charity’s online presence? At VS Group, we offer expert support to register domain names for charities, as well as hands-on managed web hosting services. Get in touch today to find out more about our industry-leading IT solutions and how we can help set your charity up for digital success.
