A good rule to follow is to choose a domain name the same as your website name. The reason for this is that when others think of your website address, they will think of it by the actual name of your website. If your domain name is the same as your website name it will be easier for people to type in the right URL to your website.
The name of your website should obviously be something that reflects what you are promoting on that website. People don’t like to have to remember a web address and a separate website name. Make it simple and easy for people to find you on the web, choose a domain name that is the same as your website name. Choose a website name that describes or is somehow related to what you are promoting on that website.
Now…what if you can’t get the same domain name as your website name, try adding a number behind the domain name. For example: If your website name is “Pampered Poochy Clothes,” and the domain name of pamperedpoochyclothes is not available, try this instead, pamperedpoochyclothes1. You still have the name you want and only one extra item tagged on for people to have to remember. The point is, however, your domain name will be at least very similar to your website name, which does make it easier for people to find you over and over again. You still might lose customers with this strategy, however, if people forget to put the number after the name and land on the other person’s website.
If at all possible, try for a unique domain name all your own, something that describes your website and the same as your website name.
Another choice would be to check with “whois” to see if you can buy the domain name you choose, but now can’t use, because it is taken by someone else. You might be able to purchase that domain name from the owner. You can simply contact the person listed as owner and ask if they are willing to sell it.
A cheaper alternative to the above would be to obtain your domain name first and then name your website the same as the domain name. This is especially true if you are just starting out building a website and do not already have the business established off the internet.
A brand name domain is probably better than a generic name. For example, if your website is only about strawberries, don’t name it “fruit.” Go with strawberries.
Most experienced website owners agree the shorter domain names are better than longer ones. It is easier for people to remember a shorter name and easier for all purposes when entering your domain name into forms and such on the internet. Domain names in general can be up to 67 characters.
Long domain names that have your site’s keywords in them have an advantage during search engine crawls and indexing.
Another common problem is whether to choose com, org, net, etc. Often people can’t get the “com” domain of their choice, but can get the “net,” or the “org” or other country-specific top level domain available such as “de,” “nu,” or “sg.” The question is should a person choose one of these others if they can get the domain name of their choice.
If your website or business promotes to the local community, such as a pizza delivery business, then it would make sense to get a country-specific top level domain such as (de, nu, sg, etc). You would benefit from having a local domain because the customers in your country know that they are dealing with a local business, which might be all they are looking for anyway. Having a “.com” at the end would suggest a US or an International site. Your site would probably fair much better with one of country-specific top level domains like (de, nu, sg, and etc).
If your site can benefit from an international audience, it is probably going to fair just as well with “.net”, or “.org” or another country specific extension if you can get the name of your choice with the extension. The other side to this is if you settle for a country specific domain extension just to get the name you want, others might think that your website only promotes to that particular country.
Many people find that “.net” and “.org” extensions are acceptable domain names. For some people, the “.org” extension describes the non-profit nature of their website or organization.
I am one that usually settles for nothing less than a “.com” extension. I do feel like overall the “.com” extension fairs better in search engines. This is just a “gut” feeling, however, for information sites like the one I am promoting in this article, I use the “.info” extension when the “.com” extension is not available.
There are some good arguments for accepting other extensions, however, if you absolutely have to go with a certain name for your website, and cannot get the “.com” extension.
After all is said and done about getting domain names, it is probably the wisest choice to get the domain name before you start your site or business.
Written by: Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.websitedesignarticles.info Website Design Articles is a collection of articles all about website design available for information and FREE reprints to your newsletters, websites or blog.
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Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
