Domain Registration in Kenya

Parts of a Domain Name

A domain name has 3 parts; the sub-domain, the domain name and the top-level domain.

The sub-domain is the protocol letters that come at the beginning. It guides the browser on how to communicate with the website server. On the website, it is either HTTP:// or HTTPS:// (hypertext transfer protocol). The “s” after “HTTP” (HTTPS://) means that the website is secure; it encrypts data sent to and from the server, protecting the website from cyber-criminal attacks.

The domain name is the identifiable part, made up of unique letter combinations. It is the name identifying the place, person or business. In the whole identification system, the name brings you directly to the website home page. In our case, the name “hostjaer” in https://hostjaer.com is the domain name.

Lastly, the domain name has the top-level domain. It is a suffix which denotes a designation; .co.ke (Kenyan websites), .com (general designation) .org (specific organisation) or .net (specific network group.)
Dot KE (.ke) is a country code top-level domain (ccTLD) that identifies the domain name to Kenya. Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) administers and manages its registration and use of the .ke top-level domain. It registers companies that sell the top-level domain on behalf of the Communications Authority of Kenya.


Difference Between a Domain Name and a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

A domain name is part of a URL, and only leads to the website landing page. Its purpose is website identification, featuring the overall product or service offered.

An example of a domain name is https://hostjaer.com.

On the other hand, a URL is a specific webpage of a domain. It mostly comprises a subtopic, products or specific details within the website serving a specific purpose.

An example of a URL is https://hostjaer.com/products/.

Tips for Registering a Good Domain Name in Kenya
The best way to pick a website name is using your most important keyword as part of the domain name. It helps improve page visibility on SEO and helps search engines like Google index the website or page faster.

Deciding your page name is the first thing on the list. If your service is marketing, ensure that the name “marketing” is part of the domain name. Add another word to make it unique. Luckily, there is a register with all domains in the world. You can only use one at a time. However, the main domain name can appear more than once but with a different TLD. If possible, pick a stand-alone name to avoid name conflicts, which might end up in legal suits.

Secondly, ensure that your business represents your long-term aspirations. Building a domain name and developing it for years is no mean feat. Businesses change their model, which can put you in a difficult position if you settle for a case-specific name. If you have to change, you risk losing your online strength and ranking on search engines.

So instead of bespokeonlinemarketing.com, consider using bespokemarketing.com. It helps you feature anything to do with marketing, casting a wider scope that gives you flexibility.

Third, the name you settle on should envisage your ability, character, skill or proposition. Do not settle on any name, as it does not say anything specific about you. Customers need to identify you with a product or a service, which helps you consolidate your gains.

Your chosen domain name should be easy to read and spell. It might mean something to you, but people will not bother looking past the name if it is difficult to read.

For example, two people, Alex and Sylvia, come together to form a company. They settle on the first 3 letters of their name as the business name, Alesyl. Whereas it denotes who they are, it is hard to read, and worse if you use it as a domain name, alesyl.com.

Do not use hyphens or numbers between 2 names. Write them in prose. Also, the size of the domain name doesn’t matter, as long as it is spelt correctly. However, the shorter the name, the better. Above all, your domain name should be authoritative. Use recognised words as they appeal to customers, as opposed to foreign words, which are difficult to read.


Benefits of .ke/co.ke ccTLD

A .ke or .co.ke domain is unique to Kenya, representing and celebrating Kenyan businesses, people and resources. A website with this top-level domain localises the URL to Kenya, although anyone on the internet can see it.

The first benefit is simplicity. It gives the online visitor a geographical location of the person, business or organisation. The TLD also gives the business a professional online reputation and digital sustainability, thanks to its formalisation and digital footprints.

Secondly, it improves business trust as people associate with businesses formed and managed in Kenya. Digital consumers assume that your business understands Kenya as a market, improving their perception and trust in its goods and services.

Marketing campaigns become easy with a .ke/co.ke TLD. It signals product presence in Kenya, creating brand awareness. Kenya’s uptake of these goods and services improves, leading to growth and development.

A .ke/co.ke emphasizes your target audience or customers. It makes clear your location and the type of customers you expect. However, it does not deter other nationals from doing business with your organisation.

Most importantly, the TLD helps with SEO and SEM since optimisation is localised to Kenya. Google and other search engines love ccTLD as it makes it easier for consumers to find local content. Such websites rank higher as the search engines target readers and consumers living or passing through Kenya.

You get all these and many more at HostJaer. Our domain pricing is competitive and guarantees efficient customer service throughout your online journey.