FinTech Revolution in Kenya: Disrupting Traditional Finance Models with Technological Innovations
FinTech Revolution in Kenya: Disrupting Traditional Finance Models with Technological Innovations The FinTech revolution in Kenya is among the best in Africa. We pride ourselves on creating the first peer-to-peer mobile money system, which has made credit accessible. M-Pesa has given rise to more ideas within the payment space. People can now pay for goods, services and even manage their businesses without touching physical money. The banks, which are legally mandated to hold money, are finding other ways to maintain their role within the process. The sector has more opportunities as the economy grows its asset base. For instance, companies are finding other ways to tap into the informal market by introducing platforms that legitimize the unbanked. Chamas and other informal businesses still use M-Pesa as the preferred mode of payment. If well utilized, it will create a valuable product that will play a significant role in the country’s financial growth. 1. Easy Credit Access Before the FinTech revolution in Kenya became a concern to traditional banking, credit and money supply was the preserve of banks. They immersed a lot of resources as they controlled who got the money and how fast the process rolled out. M-Pesa came into the space after 2010 and changed the money supply matrix. Players in the credit space tapped into its distribution model and gave out unsecured loans to users based on their transaction history on M-Pesa. It made the application, approval and disbursement process easy. Banks had to tap into this process to remain afloat, which changed how the traditional model in Kenya worked. The system has now spread to other countries, with Ethiopia being the latest to welcome the innovation into its economy. 2. Banking the Unbanked Nearly half of all Kenyans do not own or operate a bank account. However, they use money in their daily endeavours and have an informal way of saving and purchasing items. The FinTech revolution in Kenya naturally includes them in the national statistics since all M-Pesa transactions are recorded. With more M-Pesa products coming into the fold, this unbanked population can increase our money supply, strategically anchoring the economy among the fast-growing developing nations in the world. In other words, FinTech has brought the rural economy to the fold through organized systems. 3. Collaborations M-Pesa has persuaded the traditional banking sector to review the banking model to accommodate low-end consumers. Since it is not a financial institution, all transactions must have a supporting bank account, which brings like minds to the fore. Revisiting the banking model seeks to entrench complementary services, i.e., banks and mobile money services, into the economy as a money supply option. It might appear simple to Kenyans since they are already used to it, but it has far-reaching economic implications. More entrepreneurs can join the race by developing a process that taps into the financial space. It starts as simple as choosing a brand name and going through domain registration in Kenya. There are plugins and software that integrate the M-Pesa payment system with the company’s financial models to offer automated payment services. 4. Healthy Competition Challenging traditional banks in the money supply business creates favourable customer prices. As more banks join the field, the price becomes more liberal. M-Pesa controls the peer-to-peer money supply in Kenya more than all the banks collectively. Such statistics come in handy with banks finding innovative ways to retain their leadership in the sector. What follows is price wars, from which the consumer ultimately benefits. 5. Funds Pooling Tontine and chamas grow their resources through fund pooling. They lend at affordable and flexible rates, allowing members to develop in the long run. It is a growing subsector within the cooperative space and is tagged among the most informal but innovative ways to foster financial inclusivity. Most of them do not have transactions exceeding Kes 5 million in a financial year, but with limited resources, they have built an economic war chest that supports rural economies. 6. Remote Banking You do not have to go to a physical bank branch to transact. Banks have developed mobile applications to move funds to and from your bank account. Others like KCB and NCBA do not require one to open a bank account to save or withdraw funds. Products like KCB M-Pesa and M-shwari foster remote banking and lending services among people without knowledge of the banking system. Ideally, the FinTech revolution in Kenya has put everyone with a phone on the same pedestal in financial inclusivity in Kenya.
How Domain Registration in Kenya Empowers Businesses
How Domain Registration in Kenya Empowers Businesses Thanks to internet penetration and affordability, domain registration in Kenya has grown significantly. Businesses are riding on this wave to position themselves to potential customers. As the marketplace moves online, domain names increasingly become a strategic catch. We analyze how domain registration empowers businesses and why you should join the trend and benefit from the digital revolution. It is a mixture of technical and digital processes that combines to give them an edge in cyberspace. How Domain Registration in Empowering Kenyan Businesses Customized Addresses 24-hour Customer Service Worldwide Reach Affordability Automation Efficiency Customized Addresses The pride of any business is having a unique identifier that separates it from other entities. When customers identify a brand or business name associated with a business, it improves user confidence. A domain name is the only online identifier that can attain such confidence. Anyone can create free contact platforms on social media and even emails. They can do so by adding an extra character to your brand name. If they aren’t careful, they can be defrauded, which gives your business a bad reputation. To avoid these shortcomings, consider domain registration in Kenya to lock out fraudsters who use your brand name to perform cybercrimes. Customization on domain names is divided into 3 strands: Unique website- your company/business or brand name is your website domain name. No one can clone it to create a fake platform. Customize emails – you can create emails from your domain name. It increases customer confidence as they can determine the source of information. Centralized communication –if you want to send out an official communiqué, you can only trust one from a verified source. 24 Hours Customer Service Websites are on 24 hours; you will always get the information you need. Unlike physical offices that open and close at designated times, websites have everything you need to make a decision. With e-commerce sites, you can buy at any time of the day and night. Since demand cannot be predefined and managed, your business should accommodate every customer irrespective of the circumstance. While you can also do it with other free platforms, not all customers can trust such a platform. The only way is to get domain registration in Kenya services. You can also link it to your direct communication platforms to help you solve some customer complaints personally. Create a FAQs section and answer all pertinent sections that customers normally ask. Worldwide Reach Customers can access your website anywhere worldwide if you have internet. Once you optimize it with good keywords, anyone can access it and ask for services. Essentially, websites are front offices to any business, and as long as they are online and have the service customers need, they are in business. It is a good strategy when a business wants to expand its reach and explore other markets. It offers infinite opportunities, which creates a new customer base for the business. If you do digital marketing correctly, this feature can grow the business in leaps and bounds. Affordability Comparing marketing activities online and offline, online gives you value for money. Once you set the structures and align them with your growth plans, the process can generate business leads to boost the sales base. Offline marketing requires physical installation that can be removed; out of sight, out of mind. You save time, resources, and manpower when you have a centralized communication system. Domain registration and web hosting in Kenya are paid annually, which is significantly cheaper than classic marketing. Automation Websites that offer end-to-end services have automation procedures to manage the experience. A customer can browse, select, purchase, and order a good or service online without the business owner being there. They only get notified when the process is complete and organize fulfillment to get the product to the customer. If the business sells services, the system can also deliver them automatically. Such a process can only happen if you get domain registration services in Kenya. Get your domain registration services today and join the digital revolution. Efficiency If you are a big fan of strategic management, efficiency helps you see your venture in nominal terms. It helps you work out a long-term plan and grow the business exponentially. Automated businesses are managed online from a centralized platform, which is mostly a unique domain. Domain registration in Kenya is at the center of every efficient business model.
Our Gateway to the Web: The Complete Guide to Domain Registration in Kenya
Our Gateway to the Web: The Complete Guide to Domain Registration in Kenya More companies are taking their business to the web, thanks to the simplification of domain registration in Kenya. Internet penetration is rapidly growing with the launch of 5G Internet for Safaricom and Airtel. We hope to see more e-commerce shops and increased digital marketing activities. This article offers guidance on the domain registration process in Kenya and how anyone can do it in the comfort of their home. It also gives a tech lesson on digital marketing platforms and how they grow business penetration in Kenya. Guide on Domain Registration in Kenya Settle on a good domain registration company in Kenya Research on the ideal Name Move it to the e-cart Pay for the domain name Ask for the DNS from your web host Use the DNS on your web host Create a website Your domain name is active Settle On a Good Domain Registration Company in Kenya A good domain registrar is the first place to start. There are several domain registration companies in Kenya listed on KeNIC to settle for as your ideal choice. You should consider the following factors when searching for a domain registrar in Kenya. Price – settle on a domain registrar with the best price. Complementary features – the registrar should have other related features such as web and email hosting services Customer service – being an automated service, a good domain registration in Kenya Company should attend to their clients promptly. It improves conversion rate as clients trust the brand. Research on the Ideal Name There are several names one can settle on as a brand name. Use the following as a guide. Company name – use the company name as the ideal domain name. Settle on a unique name when setting up the company since most companies use their names as product names. Specific brands – companies with several brands might opt to use product names as domain names to push their market penetration. FMCG companies form the largest group opting for this approach. Paste your preferred Name on the search button. If it is available, the system will show you. If not, it can give you several variations of the same word order to choose from. Top-level domain (TLD) options (.co.ke, .com, .net, .org…) will also form part of the options available. Move It to the E-Cart Just like an online store, once you are satisfied with your choice, clicking on it moves it to the e-cart. The registrar’s system will prompt you to create an account, and your details will be used to identify the domain owner. Pay for the Domain Name Most domain registration companies in Kenya have an STK push for mobile payment. Once you key in your primary mobile number, it automatically sends the payment text to your phone, where you key in your password to okay the payment. Once the process is done, the domain name is registered into your account and will be managed by the registrar. Ask For the Name Servers (NS) details from Your Web Hosting Service Provider. Now that you have a domain name, the next step is hosting it. Most registrars have web hosting services making the service end-to-end. However, if you have another hosting, request for the NS, which you will key on your domain registrar to point the domain to that server. If you do not have a web hosting service provider, use the following criteria to settle on one Uptime speed – it guarantees you how stable their servers are. Do not settle for anything below 99%. Customer service – how responsive and competent they are assures you of a good relationship. Server space – most websites do not take up over 1GB. Anything above 1 GB is welcome. Price – based on the features given, is the price worth it? Use the Name Servers details on Your Web Host. Once the settings are in place, your domain name is semi-active online. All you need is a website theme, and you are ready to go. Create a Website At the web hosting cPanel, purchase a theme which you can remodel to suit your preference. Ensure you do digital marketing extensively to gear your website to the web and improve visibility. Once someone looks for your domain online, they will find your website represented by your theme. Your Domain Name Is Active Use digital marketing best practices to improve website visibility. You can outsource the service to competent agencies you can manage the whole experience. Enjoy the service.
How to Choose the Right Domain Name for Your Website in Kenya
A domain name is a website identity that differentiates it from one another. It has 4 main parts; the protocol, subdomain, domain name and the top level domain. Each domain name part has a significant role as an identifier to differentiate a website from another. Essentially, they form part of the reasons why you would choose a domain name. Choosing the Right Name for Your Domain Business or Organisation Name Product Name Easy to read and memorise Short Keywords Avoid hyphens Business or Organisation Name Most businesses settle on the business name as the domain name. It helps in branding since the keyword in the domain name is the business name. Other add-ons, such as emails, increase customers’ trust in the business. It shows the relationship between the sender and the business. However, this only works if the business name is still not taken. If it is your chosen name, do background research to ascertain its availability before registering the business. This concept works if you have a unique name. Avoid using common terms, as there are slim chances you will get a domain name with the right characters. The new trend is joining two words to form a unique word, such as “domainname” instead of “Domain Name.” Product Name There are some businesses where the product name is more popular than the business name. Such companies centre their distribution and growth strategy on the product name. If the name outgrows the holding business, they can use the product name on several products to ride on the wave. A good example is blueband.com, a product from Unilever. Since the product is famous, the holding company creates the domain name to buy into the fame. Such a concept works well if a company has a break-away product. Instead of redirecting the traffic to another name (like the holding company’s name), they go with this product name and pull other products into the fame. Others can even name all other products from the company using this break-away product, only differentiating it with a second name, which can be usage or purpose. A good example is Kartasi Brand with Kartasi Exercise Book, Kartasi Ledger Book, Kartasi Cover Paper and Kartasi Cash Sale Book. Easy To Read and Memorise You want to avoid creating a domain name that no one can pronounce. People would like a simple name which they can read and memorise for easier comprehension. As businesses and people get creative with words, the best way to create a good domain name is to join together 2 known names. Although the government only allows a business to have at least 3 names, pick the ideal word, mostly the first, as the domain name. Do not write the 3 words as the domain name, as it will become long, mouthful and will not help when doing SEO. Make the name short, precise and to the point. Your customers will easily find it. Keywords For SEO reasons, including the service or product keyword in the URL is important. Search engines make domain referencing easier if the main activity is part of the URL. For example, BeyondRanks Marketing Solutions’ domain name is beyondranksmarketing.com. The word “marketing” is strategic because it explains what the company does. In this case, “marketing” becomes a keyword for on-sight SEO. The presence of the keyword on the domain name makes digital marketing simpler and easier. Therefore, when creating a consultancy business, ensure that the domain name has the word “consultancy” to help with online marketing. Avoid Punctuation Marks, Especially Hyphens Putting punctuation marks on domain name reduces reliability since search engines might pick it as spam. It mostly happens when you want to separate 2 unique words to improve thematic focus. However, it scales down domain readability and memorability, wilting down the search engine’s site identification process. It might look classy and unique, but it limits online marketing exercises. If possible, avoid hyphens, especially if a domain name has 2 known words. It might look like copying or defrauding people using the same name but in a different character format. Search engines might recognise this and can even devalue your website for imitation. If it is a must, do not use more than 1 hyphen on 1 domain name. Other punctuation marks like full stops can still work, although experts highly discourage it.
How to Choose the Best Web Hosting Package for Your Website in Kenya
The term best web hosting package brings several factors into consideration; space, speed and convenience. However, it depends on the website owner’s preference, considering the type and specifics of the platform. That notwithstanding, there are common factors one shouldn’t compromise when settling for a web hosting package, which we will discuss below. What to Look Out For When Choosing the Best Web Hosting Package in Kenya Understand the hosting types available Online security features Your website’s needs Cost for the package Customer service Website uptime Website backups Customer reviews Understand the Hosting Types Available The first thing one can do is understand the type of packages available. Choice is a factor of variety, and one can only choose if there are more than one element. These options differ in features, capacity and abilities based on your website. It also prompts us to create a checklist of what we need in web hosting, making settling on the right package easier. Also, web hosting companies in Kenya create packages based on the market’s needs. The types and capacity of Kenyan websites influence the reasoning behind feature categorisation, a key component of hosting packages. Before settling on a web hosting package, survey as many packages as possible for a better overview of what you are getting. Online Security Features Cyber security is the most important factor when sourcing a web hosting package in Kenya. It prevents hacking or unauthorised website access, a feature that should come with web hosting services. Secure socket layer (SSL) is the most commonly used security protocol for most web hosting. Ensure your service provider has the latest version, which is regularly updated. Moreover, your website SSL is active to protect it from hackers. With the current sporadic website attacks, your web hosting plan should have protection from a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, which is the main cause of email and website outages. Your Website’s Needs The plugins, usage and space your website needs greatly influence which web hosting package you will need. E-commerce websites are among the busiest, needing maximum security, enough hosting space and guaranteed uptime. Since it is the business’s front office, it needs the best features to keep the flow alive. Regular corporate websites only have the company’s basic information, which does not attract too many interactions at a time. To achieve this, write down the features of your website and find out what infrastructure is needed to run it optimally. These preparations ensure you get the best package, with the best features, giving the best returns on investment. Cost For the Package Most web hosting packages are copy-pasted from others, which makes cost the next factor to consider. Since nearly all web hosting companies in Kenya are resellers, how they price their packages depends on their hosting parent company, margins, operation costs and taxation. The best prices are usually the ones with the most affordable wholesale price. However, not all affordable packages are the best. The best-priced web hosting package should bring out the best value and marginal benefit for all the features. To calculate the value you get from a package, cost every feature and compare all other packages. It might be slightly higher in price, but it gives all one needs to manage your website effectively. Customer Service The relationship and knowledge of web hosting features are important tie-breaker. It is convenient to run to customer service whenever there is an issue, and they will solve it in time. Not all customers are tech-savvy and might need help installing and maintaining their web hosting account. If possible, the web hosting company should have a live-chat portal, phone number and email contact. It covers all types of customers, making your customer relationship seamless. Website Uptime Web hosting uptime is also important as it guarantees the owner how stable it is if there is a customer surge on the platform. It is particularly important for e-commerce websites as people need consistency when purchasing goods and services. The security and processes involved must ensure that the transaction starts and finishes in one go. To be safe, do not go for a website with less than a 99% website uptime guarantee. Website Backups A customer needs surety of data safety if anything goes wrong. With the new technology, web hosting has daily online and offline website backup for all clients’ data. Before purchasing the package, ensure the hosting has a backup guarantee and frequency. Otherwise, you can lose important data if there is an issue.
Why You Should Opt for Local Domain Registration Companies in Kenya
Domain registration in Kenya is an important activity for any online engagement. It gives your business an online identity unique only to you. Several companies worldwide can sell you a domain, but buying it from a domain registration company in Kenya is advisable. You get a sense of identity, making managing your online activity easier from a central place. Importance of Buying a Domain Name from a Company in Kenya Easy to personalise and manage You can only get the .ke suffix in Kenya. Get better offers Support a local company Easy to geo-map your website to Kenya Easy To Personalise and Manage Domains purchased in Kenya are easy to acquire, set up, personalise and manage. Since the domain registration company is in Kenya, you can call for some advice if you get stuck. For those who get their domain abroad, contacting customer service in case of a problem can take time and effort. If the company initiates changes in the domain registration architecture, they can inform their customer. Such customer service can only work effectively if the service provider and the company are in the same time zone. It prepares the domain owner to plan accordingly in case of downtime. Other issues, such as payments and training, are well coordinated if both parties are in Kenya. Essentially, you can easily personalise your domain to your taste if your domain registration company is in Kenya. You Can Only Get The .co.ke/.Ke Suffix In Kenya. You can only get the .co.ke or .ke domain in Kenya as part of the global domain identification. They are centrally managed by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC), a subsidiary of Kenya’s Communication Authority. The aim is to document the number of Country Code top-level domains (ccTLD) with the Kenyan suffix. A business with the .co.ke/.ke domain has an advantage, especially if its primary market is Kenya. Visibility is geo-mapped to Kenya, making it easier for people in Kenya to see your website than a .com TLD. To understand more about the advantages of having a .co.ke/.ke domain, read through HostJaer.com’s post on domain registration. Get Better Offers Offers are a factor of price and cost. You can get a better deal on domain registration in Kenya if your registrar purchases in bulk. Most domain registration companies in Kenya have an offer for new clients to make their online journey affordable. They combine web hosting services and domain registration to give you a reduced cost for a start. Moreover, the prices of domains from other registrars outside the country are affected by inflation. Local companies cushion the inflation by spreading the risk to all their customers, significantly reducing the purchasing cost. Since cost is a factor when considering buying a domain, getting one from a local registrar is ideal. The deal becomes better if you are purchasing a .co.ke/.ke domain because it is not only localised, but has the best price among all TLDs. Support A Local Company Buying a domain from a Kenyan TLD registrar localises the transaction. Proceeds generated from that sale contribute positively to the economy, growing the industry in the long run. Profits generated grow the company, create employment and improve the domain registration infrastructure. More importantly, it builds the company’s portfolio internationally, raising Kenya’s standards among other tech-savvy nations worldwide. Most domain registration companies in Kenya also offer web hosting services. Combining the two services makes it easier for a website owner to get all they need from one agency. Customer benefits from economies of scale (offers and promotions) and faster customer service. Easy To Geo-Map Your Website to Kenya When performing complementary activities such as digital marketing, a domain registered in Kenya is easily marketable. Content development and search engine optimisation procedures work well if your domain and hosting are from a Kenyan company. If the ccTLD is Kenyan, the plot becomes easier as the domain suffix is tied to Kenya. Therefore, ranking on search engines becomes simpler compared to a .com TLD. Kenya has become a regional technology hub, making its cyberspace active. If your website can rank highly in Kenya, you can make it in any market. This concentration has made Kenya an important country in the world’s technology ranking. With a ccTLD from Kenya, you get a head start on ranking if you keep up with the pace.
How to Transfer a Domain Name
What Is Domain Transfer? It is moving a domain name from one accredited registrar to another. There are several reasons for such transfers, ranging from customer service issues to pricing and web activity consolidation. If you want to move your domain name to HostJaer.com, follow the following steps to effect the transfer in record time. Domain Name Unlocking Domain name locking is an activity by the registrar’s system to ensure that the domain name is not tampered with or used without the owner’s authority. It mostly happens if you get the domain name through a promotion or other conditions set during its purchase. To unlock it, you have to fulfil the terms and conditions. The unlocking process involves logging in to your account on the registrar’s platform and unlocking the domain name. If you cannot do so on your cPanel, contact the registrar and request its unlocking. To confirm it, search your domain name on WhoIs LookUp and confirm if the domain status is OK. Getting the Domain Transfer Authorisation/EPP Code for the Domain Name It is a specific code from the current registrar authorising the domain transfer. You can find it on your client portal under the domain management section. If you need help, contact your registrar to request it. Start the Domain Transfer Process If you are a new customer on HostJaer.com, follow the following procedure. Go to “Domain name” on your HostJaer.com client area, and click “Get Started.” It leads you to a page where you will search for the domain name. Click on “Transfer the Domain” on the left side of the page. Enter the domain name and the authorisation code obtained from your previous registrar. Click on “Add to the Cart.” If you do not have a hosting plan with HostJaer.com, select from the list. Enter your bio-data to fulfil the registration obligation. An invoice will pop up, pay it, and your domain transfer to HostJaer.com and web hosting purchase will be complete. If you are a HostJaer.com customer with a hosting plan, follow the following process. Log in to your account, Go to “Domain name” on your HostJaer.com client area, and click “Get Started.” Click on “Transfer the Domain” on the left side of the page. Enter the domain name and the authorisation code obtained from your previous registrar. Click on “Add to the Cart.” Select your hosting plan and complete the domain transfer. Once you finish the process above, the local domain (.ke) transfer is immediate. Domain transfer for international extensions will take between 5 to 7 days. The previous host has to authorise the transfer based on international practices, during which the process will have a “Pending Transfer” status. During this phase, you cannot do anything or manage the domain directly. When the transfer completes to HostJaer.com, the status will change to “Client Transfer Prohibited”. That means it is locked to HostJaer.com, and you can now use or manage it. What Makes a Domain Transfer Fail? If the domain name has an international extension – .net, .com, .info or .biz – and is not more than 60 days old, you cannot transfer it. ICCAN, the Los Angeles body that manages and coordinates namespaces databases, can only allow the domain name transfer 60 days after registration. However, the local extensions (.co.ke, .ke, .ac.ke) are not restricted. You can move them even after registration. If there is a contact change in the domain set-up, you cannot proceed with a domain transfer before 60 days elapse. Likewise, this only affects international and not local extensions. If you haven’t unlocked the domain from the initial registry, the transfer cannot go on. The lock limits theft or any other unwarranted activities on the domain name without permission from the owner. Go to the domains section, unlock it, or contact customer service to open it. The process applies to all domain extensions across the board. If the EPP or Transfer Code is wrong, the domain transfer process will fail. The code is important as it is the key to unlocking the process. To get the right code, ensure you copy the code as provided by the initial registrar and ensure you use it within the given time. If the domain name has expired, you cannot proceed with the transfer. To transfer it, you need to renew it first. It only applies to international extensions. However, you can transfer local extensions anytime, whether active or expired. How Can I Transfer My Website and Emails Files? Website and email transfer on HostJaer.com are free. Although the process is involving and tedious, our customer care attendants are on standby to guide you. You only need to provide us your cPanel login credentials from your initial host. We will facilitate the movement from the old servers to HostJaer.com. If you do not have access to your previous web host, you can request their customer service to download the files, specifically database, website and emails. They should come in the zip file format, where you can share it with us, and we will complete the transfer. However, consider downloading the files when your account is nearing expiry to avoid inconveniences. Is There Any Downtime During Domain Transfer? HostJaer.com has powerful servers which can hold down whenever a domain transfer is in progress. For a better experience, reach out to our customer service for a seamless process. We are on standby 24/7 to manage the experience efficiently and in record time. How Much Does Domain Transfer to HostJaer.com Cost? Domain transfer to HostJaer.com is free across all extensions. However, you cannot transfer an expired domain with an international extension. You have to renew it first before moving it. Even with the renewal on the other registrar, your domain will be active for the one year it intended. You will not pay any money when moving it to HostJaer.com. However, expired local domains can be transferred. To begin the domain transfer
KeNIC Appoints Andrew Lewela as Its New CEO to Propel .Ke Domain Uptake
Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) has tapped Mr Andrew Mwanyota Lewela from Sambali Group Limited as its new CEO, effective from 1st February 2023. He takes over from Joel Karubiu, who has led the agency since 2019. KeNIC is a government entity responsible for registering .co.ke and .ke domains. Mr Lewela is a technology development, project management and public policy expert whose strength lies in strategic planning and tech-driven sales. He also has experience in government affairs, country branding and tech-products development. Safaricom, ICT Authority, Cellulant, Oracle and the International Trade Centre are some of the organisations Mr Lewela has worked for in his illustrious 17-year career. He holds a Masters in Commerce degree from Deakin University in Australia and a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Nairobi. He also has a Diploma in Management Information Systems from Strathmore University.
The A to Z of Domain Registration in Kenya
A for Application Programming Interface (API) – it is a software program that enables other software to develop on the same interface. API allows other software and programs to develop on pre-defined functions that enable them to interact with an operating system. B for Browser – it is a computer program with a user interface used to navigate between website pages. It allows interaction between the website and the world wide web, allowing you to read anything on the internet. C for Cybersquatting – it is the process of registering popular names as domain names, thus preventing someone else from purchasing them. The reason is stealing traffic from almost similar domain names or selling them for an inflated price. The Cybercrime Cct of Kenya prohibits such actions. Those found culpable face jail time, hefty fines or both. D for Domain Name – it is the identifier of the website, usually a company, product or organisation name. It either starts with www or https: and ends with .ke, .net, .org or .com. The entity buys it from a registrar authorised by the Communication Authority of Kenya. E for Extensible Provisional Protocol (EPP) Key – it is a process used by registrars to deter domain name holders from transferring their domains to another registrar before the lapse of the provisional period. Registrars offering discounted services use the EPP key to discourage domain name holders from moving the domains to other registrars before the end of the promotional period. F for Front Running – it is a process where a domain look-up service scans and harvests expired or unused domains. The aim is to register and sell them at inflated prices. G for Grace Period – this is the time after the expiry of the domain name that the registrar gives you to renew it. If this grace period elapses, usually after 30 days, the domain name is open for purchase by another entity or person. H for Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) – it is a network protocol designed to facilitate data communication across the internet. It works as a request-response protocol that aids in communication between the server and clients. I for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) – it is the international holding company that coordinates all domain names and regulates the industry. ICANN is the custodian of all the internet naming systems. J for JavaScript – it is a programming language central to website development, especially on the client side. As of 2022, almost 98% of all websites globally use JavaScript on the client side. K for Kitting – it is a domain registration process that sees a customer purchase and delete a domain within the promotional period. Such actions occur when the domain registrar has a free domain name promotion. Kitting, in this case, is a way of accessing the domain name without incurring the registration fees after the lapse of the promotion. L for Landing Page – it is the web page attached to the main domain. In most cases, it has summary information of the website and other web links for more explanations. Most websites do SEO on the landing page for more traction and its interconnectivity to other web pages on the same domain. M for Mail Exchange Record (MX Record) – it is a record within the DNS that locates the mail server to which an email should be delivered. It aids in mail delivery for customised emails and even locate additional backup servers (in case of multiple servers.) N for Nameserver – it is the web directory from which domain names are attached for web hosting purposes. As a domain name holder, you enter the name server details against the domain name to give it space for website themes and customised emails. O for .org – it is a Top-level domain assigned to non-commercial entities, especially non-governmental or non-profit organisations. We also have .org.ke, which is a second-level domain created for organisations based in Kenya. P for Packing – this is s process where the domain name holder redirects the domain to an existing page. The aim is to either use it as an advertising avenue or keep it engaged until a time when they are ready to use it. R for Registrar – these are business entities accredited by the government through the Communications Authority of Kenya to sell domain names. For example, HostJaer.com is an accredited registrar, authorised to sell .co.ke top-level domains. S for Search Engine Optimization – it is a process of tweaking and improving website content to improve its visibility on search engines. The goal is to make it appear on the top when you search for a website or a keyword. T for Top Level Domain (TLD) – these are the 2 letter words on the domain name suffix that denotes country .ke), organisation (.org), commercial entity (.com) or network (.net). They are identifiers of the domain that aids in faster classification. U for Uniform Resource Locator (URL) – these are alphanumeric characters found on the web browser. Each webpage, document or image has unique characters, making it easy for the internet to find it. V for Value Added Reseller (VAR) – an independent business or vendor who facilitates the purchase of domains to final users. The resellers are registered onto the overall directory but mapped to the VAR. W for WHOIS – it is an internet system that can check owners of registered domains bought worldwide. Some also show the contact details of the registrar and DNS server. X for XHTML (Extensible hypertext markup language) – it is a hybrid of Hypertext markup language (HTML) and Extensible markup language (XML). It is a coding language that allows interconnection between programs and applications. Y for Yet Another Hierarchically Officious Oracle (YAHOO) – is a search engine that works as a social network,
Domain Registration in Kenya: Factors to Consider
Domain names are brand names that people associate you or your business with. The name makes domain registration in Kenya a vital topic of discussion since it determines how visible you or your business will be online. Below are some of the factors to consider when choosing a domain name. Simple, Predictable and Easy to Read Whereas businesses and people have taken all the easy names, ensure your name is equally simple and predictable. Your customers should be able to read and associate it with you or your business. Simplicity makes understanding easy. Do not Include Numbers or Hyphens Using numbers or hyphens is not advisable, especially for SEO or SEM. They create a “void”, which might make it easy to identify. However, if you have to use numbers, ensure they are part of the business name. Furthermore, including numbers or hyphens takes away the domain name’s simplicity. It makes website location and identification harder, especially if it does not feature as part of the business name. Short and Clear There is nothing wrong with a lengthy domain name, but you might miss it due to spelling and search engine crawling. It also makes it easy to remember, specify and makes add-ons easy to make. A good example is adding a subdomain. Market or Usage-Specific A domain name that is specific to the business is easier to commercialise. For example, a marketing company should have the name “marketing” as part of the domain name, making it easier to develop SEO. BeyondRanks Marketing Solutions is easier to optimise since the keyword is part of the domain name. Get the Right Domain Extension Not all domain extensions work on any domain. You have to consider the type of business and location, which will help when settling on the domain extension. A network company can use .net to define its business type, while a Kenyan company like Toto’s Kingdom Network will benefit from using .co.ke as a domain extension. If .com is taken, other domain extensions in the market can fit on your domain name. We have .co.ke, .biz and .co for businesses. Schools use .edu or ac.ke, while a personal website can use .me. Essentially, one can use several domain extensions and still be within their service line. Use a Domain Name Generator Consider using a domain name generator if your intended domain name is unavailable. First, key in your intended business name and let the system suggest possible names. It also helps you remove used word combinations, making it easier to settle on a name. However, ensure that your keywords are part of the name for easier optimisation. Purchase it Quickly Domain names share a universal registry, which makes it important to purchase when you find them available. Once you have a domain name, search for it; if it is available, purchase and pack it. Ensure you buy it when you find it as it only takes a second to take it off the market.