What is a domain name?

A domain name uniquely identifies your website and serves as your community’s online home. Typing this address (also known as a URL) into a browser allows residents and visitors to access your site directly.

Beyond being a simple address, your domain name is your online identity. It impacts how residents and search engines perceive your community. When selecting a domain, keep these enhancements in mind:

• Professional Branding: Choose a name that is easy to remember and use a standard extension—such as .com, .org, or .net—to establish community credibility.
• Custom Communication: A custom domain allows you to create professional email accounts (e.g., info@yourcommunity.com) rather than using personal addresses, which is available on all plans.
• Automated Security: On this platform, domains can be secured with SSL encryption. This ensures that your URL starts with "https://", protecting all resident data transmission.
• Flexible Management: You can choose to transfer your domain to the platform to centralize your billing and DNS settings, or you can point an existing domain you already own while keeping it with your current registrar.
• Setup Expectations: Once you have claimed or pointed your domain, it typically takes between 24 to 48 hours for the changes to become effective across the internet.

Related Articles

• How can I point my domain name to the web site?
• What if I don't have a domain name?
• Connecting a domain you own to your website
• Transferring your domain purchased elsewhere to HOA Total Access
• Pointing your domain to your community website