Free Website Content
Choose A Domain
Choose a Domain
Choosing a domain is one of the first
steps in establishing an online presence. Changing a
domain after-the-fact can be time consuming, and can
be harmful to search engine ranking, so it is best to
get it right the first time around. Follow these simple
steps to select a domain name that will represent your
online brand...
1. Nice Neighborhood
Stick with .com or .net domains for businesses,
.edu for schools, and .org for non-profit organizations.
Some search experts say that any other extensions will
have a more difficult time ranking well in the search
engines.
2. Easy To Verbalize And Understand
Domain names should be easy to verbalize.
Often in conversations, similar sounds are difficult
to discern. Select a domain name that is clear and easy
to understand without having to repeat it.
3. Easy To Spell
Select a domain that is easy to spell.
Certain words can be spelled in a variety of ways, and
this can cause confusion and result in people being
unable to easily locate your website. Use a domain name
that is intuitive and easy to spell.
4. Keep It Brief
Shorter domains are easy to remember,
so if possible, avoid selecting a domain name that is
excessively long. The domain name can not exceed 63
characters, and may consist of letters, numbers, and
hyphens. If you decide on a hyphenated domain name,
be sure to articulate it so that it is easily understood.
5. More Than One
Domains are reasonably inexpensive, so
register multiple domain names that relate to your primary
domain name. The additional domains can be permanently
redirected to the main domain. Also, purchase domains
that use common misspellings, plurals, or that alleviate
any confusion. This way you will be sure to capture
all of your traffic.
6. Extend It
Protect your brand by purchasing common
extensions for your domain (ie. .net, .org, etc). And
consider purchasing country extensions if you sell globally
(ie. .uk, .au, .fr, etc).
7. Written Form
The written form of the domain should
be clear and not cause unnecessary confusion. If the
domain contains multiple words, make sure that the written
form cannot be misinterpreted.
8. Make It Memorable.
Select a domain name that is easy for people to remember.
9. Related And Relevant
The domain name should relate to your
core business. Building a brand does not end offline;
brand continuity should encompass all aspects of your
business, both online and offline. A related relevant
domain should reinforce your brand and corporate identity.
10. Check Trademarks
As with any name, be sure to check carefully
for trademark infringements. Do not take chances by
infringing on another company's brand. The extra effort
might save you from a court case or hours of expensive
legal maneuvering. Search the USPTO website at http://www.uspto.gov
for any existing trademarks.
11. Brand vs Keywords
Many webmasters struggle with the decision
to use a brand as their domain, or to incorporate keywords
into their domain name in an effort to rank better in
the search engines. The decision does not need to be
absolute. Domains are inexpensive, and redirects are
easy to set up, so there is no reason you can not purchase
both brand and keyword domain names.
12. Location Specific
Unless you only serve a specific region,
avoid using the location in the domain name. A geo-specific
domain will limit a company's ability to expand into
other regions as it grows.
And before doing anything, use the database
at Network Solutions to determine whether a desired
domain name is actually available or not.
NetSol - http://www.networksolutions.com
Selecting a domain name is an important
step in establishing a web business. Take your time
and think carefully about selecting a domain, as it
will be the hallmark of your online presence.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds
and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for
RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com
audio recording and editing software.
**********************************************************
This article may be used freely in opt-in
publications and websites, provided that the resource
box is included and the links are active. A courtesy
copy of the issue or a link to any online posting would
be greatly appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
.
Additional articles available for publication available
at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm
**********************************************************
|
