Choose the right domain name

Posted July 5th, 2010 by admin with No Comments

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Whether you already have an established offline business or you are trying to build an online business from scratch, selecting your domain name is now one of the most important decisions you will have to make! This is indeed a bold statement to make, so allow me back it up with some sensible reasoning.

The “right domain name” for an online business would be one that contributes towards enhancing both your image and your marketing efforts. It helps in bringing more traffic to your web site.


Here are some key factors to think about when choosing your name:

  • Easy to Spell - If people can’t pronounce or spell your domain name properly, it is likely to cause you problems for you. If your spreading your message by word of mouth then a simple address will roll off the tongue.
  • Short and Simple – Short names are easy to type and easy to remember. It’s possible to have up to 64 characters in a domain name but who wants to TypeInAHugeComplicatedSentance.com
  • Brainstorm 5 Top Keywords – When you first begin your domain name search, it helps to have 5 terms or phrases in mind that best describe the domain you’re seeking. Once you have this list, you can start to pair them or add prefixes & suffixes to create good domain ideas. For example, if you’re launching a mortgage related domain, you might start with words like “mortage, finance, home equity, interest rate, house payment” then play around until you can find a good match.
  • Memorable - Your domain name must be easy to remember, so that net surfers can instantly access your web site by typing in your domain name in the browser window. They might not bother to conduct a search for your web site if your domain name is difficult to remember and is easily forgotten.
  • Avoid Copyright Infringement – This is a mistake that isn’t made too often, but can kill a great domain and a great company when it does. To be sure you’re not infringing on anyone’s copyright with your site’s name, visit copyright.gov and search before you buy.
  • Reject Hyphens and Numbers – Both hyphens and numbers make it hard to give your domain name verbally and falls down on being easy to remember or type. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Also, domain names are not case sensitive
  • Create and Fulfill Expectations – When someone hears about your domain name for the first time, they should be able to instantly and accurately guess at the type of content that might be found there. That’s why I love domain names like Hotmail.com, CareerBuilder.com, AutoTrader.com and WebMD.com. Domains like Monster.com, Amazon.com and Zillow.com required far more branding because of their un-intuitive names.
  • Relate it to Your Category - Your domain name should give some idea of the business you are in, and what your web site is about. The two famous web based brands Yahoo! and Amazon defy this rule. You can’t tell that Yahoo! would be the name of a search engine and Amazon would be a book store. But don’t let this change your mind. Amazon and Yahoo! have the advantage of being the pioneers in their chosen categories, along with consistent brand building efforts and a commitment for quality.
  • Be Smart, Not a Smart Arse - Don’t try and be too clever with your domain name. You may think it’s catchy or cute but if everyone else you tell thinks it’s rubbish you are probably better off not using it. If it takes half an hour to explain why you chose the name, it’s probably a bad one.


Domain names are now being bought at an alarming rate by investors, entrepreneurs and business owners. If you find a domain you like you must register it as soon as possible. You do not need to have a Webmaster or an ecommerce department or even need a Web page. Just get out there and register your domain before you lose the opportunity to get the name you really want.

Posted in Simple Business Advice
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Written by admin

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