You have a business idea. Or maybe you want to start a blog, build a portfolio to show your work, or sell products online. You know you need a website, but something keeps holding you back.

Maybe you have heard that domain names are too expensive. Or that the setup is too technical. Perhaps you searched for your business name once, found it was taken, and assumed there was no point in trying again.

These concerns are common. But most of them are based on outdated information. The truth about domain names is simpler and more encouraging than you might think. 

In this article, we look at nine common domain name myths and separate them from the truth.

If you have been sitting on an idea waiting for the right time, read on. You might find that the only thing holding you back is a misunderstanding.

Myths About Domains That’s Costing You

Myth 1: Domain names are expensive

Many people assume that buying a domain name is a big, costly investment. They see it as a huge expense, something only established companies with deep pockets can afford. 

If you’re running a small shop or just testing out a side hustle, that thought alone can stop you before you even start.

The truth is, this couldn’t be further from reality.

Truth: Most domains cost less than lunch out.

You probably spend more on a single meal at a cafe or on your daily transport. A domain name is a tiny fraction of that. 

At Truehost, for example, you can get a .co.ke domain for as little as Ksh 999, a popular .com domain for around Ksh 1200, or even a .top domain for just Ksh 197.

For less than the cost of a one-month internet subscription, you can get your brand online.

Myth 2: Setting up a domain is technically challenging

Some people hesitate because they worry the process is too technical. Terms like DNS, hosting, or nameservers can sound confusing if you have never dealt with them before.

Truth: You do not need any technical skills to register a domain.

Domain registrars have significantly simplified the process. You only need to know the name you want. The company handles all the technical setup behind the scenes.

When registering a domain, you type your desired name into a search box and click a button to check if it is available. If the name is free, you complete the payment steps, and the domain is yours.

You can try searching to see whether your desired domain is available using our domain search tool.

Myth 3: My business is too small for a website

Another common belief that holds some businesses back is that websites are only for big companies with large marketing budgets.

Truth: Small businesses need websites more than anyone else.

This is mainly because of how customers find businesses today. When someone needs a salon, a hardware store, or a restaurant, they open Google or Maps on their phone and search. 

If your business does not appear in those results with your address and phone number, that customer will go to a competitor who does.

A website solves this problem. It ensures your business appears when people search. It also provides essential information, such as your location, contact details, and services. 

Customers can find you at any time, even outside your regular working hours.

Myth 4: All the good names are already taken

It can be frustrating when you search for your business name with a .com suffix and find it is not available. This sometimes leads people to believe that every decent domain name is gone.

Truth: There are hundreds of other extensions you can use besides the .com.

The  .com extension is just one option among many. Over the years, the number of TLDs has expanded significantly. This gives you more choices than ever before.

Kenyan businesses and individuals have access to local extensions that work well for their audiences. For example:

.co.ke – Meant for Kenyan businesses and organizations

.africa – Suited for pan-African brands and initiatives

.store – Best for e-commerce and online shops

.top or .xyz – General extensions for modern projects

If the .com version of your name is taken, check these other extensions. Your preferred name may still be available.

Myth 5: A domain name guarantees a website

Another misunderstanding is when some people register a domain name and later wonder why they cannot see a website when they type it into a browser.

Truth: A domain name is only an address. You need web hosting to store your website files.

A domain tells the internet where your website lives. But for a site to actually appear, its files need to be stored somewhere. That is what web hosting does. 

Hosting providers like Truehost store your text, images, and code on their servers so that visitors can access them.

After you get your domain, you need to choose a hosting service. Truehost offers several options to get your site online. These include standard web hosting plans, easy-to-use website builders, and one-click WordPress installs.

And with the right tools like our website builder, you can build a website without proficiency in coding.

Myth 6: The .com extension is suitable for all websites

Some people believe that a .com domain is the most appropriate choice. They think other extensions are less professional or credible.

Truth: Local extensions like .co.ke sometimes work better for Kenyan audiences.

If your business serves customers in Kenya, a .co.ke domain has clear advantages. When someone visits your site and sees .co.ke, they know you are a local business, which helps build trust.

Local extensions also help with search engines. Google and other search engines use domain endings to understand where a business is located. 

A .co.ke domain is more likely to appear in search results when people in Kenya look for services you offer. That means more local customers can find you.

In other cases, like when you are building an NGO, a .org extension is the best option.

Myth 7: You can register a domain name forever

It would be nice to buy a domain once and own it for life, but that’s not how the system works.

Truth: You register year by year.

You pay an annual fee to rent the rights to that domain name. This is important because it means you have flexibility. 

If you’re unhappy with your current registrar, you can switch at any time through a domain transfer.

If you want to move your domain to a reliable local provider, Truehost makes transfers easy. The best part of transferring to Truehost is that we’ll even extend your domain by one year.

Myth 8: You only need one domain

The eighth common myth is that registering a single domain name for a business is enough.

Truth: Smart businesses register multiple domains to protect their brand.

When someone looks for your business online, they might type different versions of your name. 

For example, they might try yourname.co.ke, yourname.com, or yourname.africa. If you only own one of these, you risk losing visitors who type another version. They could end up on a site that has nothing to do with you, or on a competitor’s site.

Registering multiple domain extensions solves this problem. You can own the main versions of your name and point them all to the same website. 

This way, no matter what extension a customer types, they land on your site.

Consider registering:

• yourname.co.ke for your local Kenyan audience
• yourname.com for international reach, and to prevent others from using it
• yourname.africa If you plan to serve customers across the continent

Myth 9: Domains don’t affect SEO

The final myth is that a domain name is just an address and has no impact on how people find you.

Truth: A good domain helps with search rankings.

Besides getting local SEO services, your domain name is a crucial part of your SEO strategy. Several factors give you an edge:

• Keywords: Having a keyword related to your business in your domain (e.g., nairobigroceries.co.ke) can help search engines understand what your site is about.

• Local Extensions: As mentioned in Myth 6, a .co.ke extension boosts your visibility in Kenyan search results.

• Trust: A professional, clean domain name like yourbusiness.co.ke builds trust with users far more than a free blogspot or wordpress.com address. And when people trust your link, they’re more likely to click on it in the search results.

Final Take

These nine myths stop many people from getting online. They create the impression that domains are expensive, complicated, or unnecessary. As we have seen, none of that is true.

Domains are affordable. They are easy to register. And they are important for businesses of all sizes. A good domain helps customers find you, builds trust, and supports your visibility in search results. 

And with options like .co.ke, .africa, and many others, your preferred name is likely still available.

If you have been putting off your website because of these misconceptions, now is the time to act. Check if your domain is available on our search tool. Get to Truehost to register your domain and build your website