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What is a Domain Name?

It’s part of your digital identity.

It’s not your website.

Don’t confuse your domain registrar with your website host.

Your campaign will need a domain name.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You Don’t Own Your Domain Name

You are actually renting your domain name from a registrar.

If you stop paying for your domain name, someone else can pick it up.

Old campaign domains have been given new life under different owners … and not always for the better!

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Are You The Registrant?

The registrant is the organization or individual registering the domain name.

If you are not the registrant, then you do not control the domain.

Watch for tricks…

Secure Your Domain Early

Do it before you create print materials.

Consider private domain registration.

It can help brand your online presence.

What Name Should You Choose?

Think long-term.

Consider tying in with other online handles.

Position in name is fine, but consider your political future.

Better to stick with .com over .org names.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Political Domain Squatting

Someone who registers a domain that infringes on another’s intellectual property or trademark.

Anti-cybersquatting laws exist. Do you qualify?

Political cybersquatting is fairly common.

Even entirely fake websites are a problem today.

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Alternate Domain Names

Multiple domain names can point to the same website.

Secondary domain names can be useful for print pieces or donation pushes.

Secondary names can also be set to point to a particular web page or microsite.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

End Of The Road

Should you let your domain and website go after the election?

Letting a domain lapse will cripple your website and associated emails.

Lapsed domain names can be taken by others.

What’s your long-term plan?

For more free tips, affordable website packages and digital campaign products,

visit us at

OnlineCandidate.com

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