I have our website virtually ready to use. Searching for it brings up https://e-voice.org.uk/westlancashirefootpathgroup/. We've been looking at buying our own domain name but before we do so, can I just ask what is the benefit of this? When you search, the website appears, no problem. So what exactly are we paying for when we buy our own domain name?
You don't have to buy your own domain name, but there are benefits to having one.
Domain names give you a web address which looks better than having a long url. Try telling someone to type in the url above over the phone and it's a bit of a mouthful.
Portability. The website you have created is hosted by e-voice, but if you decided to move to another platform or provider, you would not be able to keep the e-voice url. This can be a problem if you have leaflets and are listed on website directories as you will need to update anything that has your website on it. Having a name that you can take with you is a great solution as it never changes.
Your domain name is also your online identity and you can choose what that name should be for example
wlfg.org.uk or wlfg.uk or westlancashirefootpahgroup.org.uk or anything in between.
The cost is anywhere between about £10 and £30 a year depending on which domain extension and registrar you use.
Having been a website designer for over 20 years I fully endorse the comments by MHayes. A domain is not that expensive but if chosen well will improve your chance of being found on searches and will be much easier to memorise and to use on promotional literature, emails etc.
If (heaven forfend) E-Voice were to cease operating, you would not be stuck up a creek with no paddle.
Having been involved with e-voice for a long time, built and run websites myself, having your own domain name gives you an identity that's lasts as long as you want and should e-voice cease,you can migrate the base content to another platform (although you would need to migrate to a different content management system).
Companies like https://www.cloudnext.uk/ can offer a base package for about £40 pa with email etc and a domain for an extra £7.99 pa.
When looking at the range of domain providers look beyond the "fee" "only £0.01 per month" offer as you want the domain to be there for many years.
I also completely agree with all the previous comments and it's a good thing to have.
For an affordable website domain, I recommend Hostinger that I use for my personal website. Here is my referral link that will give you 20% off your first year. https://hostinger.co.uk/?REFERRALCODE=ProWeb