Any individual, business, or organization planning to have an internet presence should invest in a domain name. Having your own domain name, along with an associated website and email addresses, is an expected professional decision for running a business in today's world - even for nonprofits! Domain names can be registered and renewed for a low yearly fee and an array of domain choices are available. On the internet, your domain name is your unique identity. Think of it this way: if you are renting space in a building for your rescue, you give out your street address so people can find you. If you are renting space on the internet, you give out your domain name.

Your domain name is not your website

A domain name is not the same thing as a website, just as a street address is not the same thing as a building that resides at that address. Websites are the content that your visitors interact with online, while domain names are configured to "point" at that content. In fact, multiple domain names can point to one website!