Hey, you, you business owner. So is this you? Do you feel like you're lost in the domain maze? Do you even know what a domain is? Well, let's transform that loss feeling into a roadmap for success together. It's Thursday, it's 10 am. You know what time it is – it's Coffee Chats with Candice. So, grab your cup of coffee, or beverage of your choice, no judgment here, and that includes your business and finances too. And join me for a caffeinated chat on a topic that can make or break your online presence domains – do you really need one?

In my business journey, I have found that having a domain is like owning a piece of internet real estate. It's your personal space where you set up your website, and it adds a touch of professionalism to your online identity. Ideally, I'd love to have Candice Montgomery (dot) com, but it was taken (not by the axe murderer), but someone else. Do y'all know that joke about the axe murderer? There's a story on Hulu about it now, but I learned about it in eighth-grade detention. Pretty funny. It's not funny, I mean, it's funny that my name is Candice Montgomery, but that I learned about in eighth-grade detention and there's a whole big story behind it, but that's for another time. Anyway, so I settled on candicemontgomeryonline.com. And so all of my emails are branded at candicemontgomeryonline.com and I’m only dreaming and wishing they were candicemontgomery.com.

I have an extra domain as well for affiliate links that I share with others. I use CandiceMontgomeryOfficial.com. You might be wondering, “Do you really need a website when you're just starting out?” Or “Do I need a website when I'm just starting out?” The answer is not necessarily, but having a domain is a smart move. It serves as a foundation, which I'm all about foundations and basics in getting your business off to a good start. 

For your future endeavors, especially considering the changing email marketing landscape. Speaking of which, why I decided to do this topic today is that as of February 1, Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft are tightening the reins on email marketing, making it crucial for businesses to have a domain. So, this is going to reduce or eliminate your junk email. Finally, however, not such a great thing for small businesses, or if you're planning to use email marketing, having a domain with a mailbox is now non-negotiable. It's about building a good reputation, authenticating your identity, and ensuring your emails don't end up in the dreaded spam folder or not delivered at all. Did you know that they can do that? They can. I want to say they Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, can keep your emails from going to their customers, which is who you're trying to reach because it's your customer as well, but they can stop it from completely ever making it to the mailbox.

Now, where can you get your domain? Options like GoDaddy and NameCheap exist, and if you're using platforms like Squarespace or Wix, or if you're planning to use those, you can often purchase your domain directly from them. As a personal recommendation, I prefer NameCheap, and I've dropped my affiliate link in the description. If you choose to use it, I may get a small commission which helps support my content creation.

So, picking a domain isn't as simple as it sounds. I go deeper into this in my “Business Basics Bootcamp” and my course “Monetize Your Dream.”  Your email list is a valuable asset because you don't own social media platforms. So, if they disappear tomorrow, or go down for a day, which is a millennium in internet years, how will you reach your audience? That's a huge question. Your email list is your direct line to your peeps, and it's indispensable for promoting your latest offerings. Otherwise, people don't know who you are or what you offer. 

To recap, the big takeaway? Yes, you need a domain for your business. Now more than ever. Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, as of February 1, are seriously tightening the security on email. Having your own domain ensures your emails are delivered and trusted by the recipients. If you don't have a domain, you will not be able to do bulk mailing to your customers.

Do you have questions? Are you more confused than ever? Drop your questions in the comments. Don't forget, I have linked my NameCheap affiliate link in the description. I've also linked my three-part video series “Business Basics Bootcamp” and you can learn more about it there. If you're ready to dive in headfirst, get on the waitlist for “Monetize Your Dream.” Doors will be opening soon and you don't want to miss it! I've also put that link in the description as well. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to be here with me or catching the replay. You see me moving? Why? To just like constantly move. It's just the thing. I don't know. So I apologize if that's distracting. Anyway, I hope you have a fabulous Thursday and a fabulous weekend. Enjoy your coffee or beverage of your choice, and I will see you next week – same time, same place for Coffee Chats with Candice.