How To Choose a Domain Name?

As many network marketers and other business owners start to warm up to the Web, they often struggle with "where to begin".  Here, I cover the basic first step: how to choose a domain name.

Getting yourself, or your business on the web can be pretty intimidating to many considering how many web design companies, gadgets, flashy widgets, packages and options there are! Some are very helpful, while others... well, pretty confusing. But let's start with Step 1: How To Choose a Domain Name.

Yes, this is pretty much your first step in launching a website, deciding what your domain name will be (and then seeing if it is available!).  With the "dot com" revolution a few years back I think every cliche, slang or amusing combo of words has been secured into a .com.  Even dotcom.com is a domain!!  But don't despair, unless your name is John Doe or John Smith your chances of securing a domain with just your name.com are pretty "fair". Or even using your newly created and original business name! However, don't get too fancy with the name!  Let's take a look at some handy tips I've researched on what to think about when deciding on what your domain name should be.

1. Keep it short
Although some places allow you to register a name with up to 63 characters, you have to keep in mind that people need to be able to remember it, and easily type it into their browser. Try to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your Website. The general rule of thumb is, keep it under seven characters if possible. (Not including the suffix.). .  
2. Dot What?
There are many different extensions available right now. For businesses, we recommend a .com suffix. It is the first extension that most people try when searching for a Website. Also, since it is one of the oldest extensions, .com shows that your business has been around for a while and that you have a well-established presence on the Web.  If you think your product (or business name) is so hot that competitors will want to steal your thunder (it happens) you might consider buying the .com and the .net version of it (see tip 5).
3. Avoid Trademarked Names
There are two really good reasons for this. First, it’s not very nice. We have all heard the stories about the zany guy who thought ahead and bought "some-huge-multi-million-dollar-company.com" and sold it to the company for enough money to retire on. But, remember that those companies, like yours, have spent lots of time and money creating their brand, and what goes around comes around. Also, companies are no longer opening their pocketbooks to get their names back. They are calling their lawyers.
4. Register Your Domain NOW
Domain names are being snatched up faster than candy at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. You must register soon unless you want to get stuck with "the-domain-name-that-no-one-wanted.net". You do not have to have a Webmaster or an ecommerce department or a Web design consultant or... Heck, you don’t even need a Web page. Just get out there and register before you loose the opportunity to get the name you really want.
5. One May Not Be Enough
Sometimes, it isn’t a bad idea to register several similar domain names. If you have "yourname.com", register "yourname.net" so no one else takes it. You can register your full company name and a shorter, easier to remember version. Some people even register common misspellings of their company’s name. (You don’t need a separate Web page for each. Several domains can point to the same Website.)
6. Character Types
Just a reminder. Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and dashes. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Also, domain names are not case sensitive (thank goodness!).
7. Ask Around
When you have settled on several available name choices, see what your friends and clients have to say. A name that may make perfect sense to you may be too hard for other people to remember. Is your domain easy to say? Is it hard to spell? Do you have to explain why you chose the name? You don't want to have to explain to people al the time that your .com is EZABC spelled "E-Z" and not "Easy".  Anyway, you get the picture!
8. Don’t Shell Out Large Amounts of $$$
At one time, companies were able to get away with charging reservation fees plus a "mandatory" $70 InterNIC fee. Recently, it was decided that other companies should be able to compete to sell domain names. This has lowered prices dramatically. I've never paid more than $9.99/yr for a domain and on certain sales I have even take advantage of $1.99 deals! So, get started with "getting on the web" and at least get the domain name out of the way.  The rest can wait!  Best Wishes,
Aymee C. Buckhannonhttp://www.Crisbella.comhttp://www.AymeeBuckhannon.com