Internet Marketing - How to Choose a Domain Name

Your website name does not have to be the same as your domain name, but not having them the same can cause some confusion if you plan to have customers. Your domain name should give some idea of what your website is about. Whether your website is for business or personal use, it is important to choose your domain name carefully. Many times your domain name will also be used as an email address. Here are a few tips to help you choose.

1. Choose a (.com) if you desire more traffic to your site. This extension is more common, easy to remember, and more widely accepted for credibility. You may want to consider getting the (.net) and (.org) extensions, also. The (.org) extension is usually suggestive of a non-profit organization.

2. Use easy common spelling. Avoid slang words, plurals, and the use of numbers.

3. Try to keep the name fairly short to make it easy to type and remember. Many of the shorter names will already be taken.

4. Use a keyword rich name as long as it makes sense. Try to use keywords as the first two words of your domain name.

5. Be careful of copyright infringement.

6. Hyphenated or not? Some people believe hyphenated names are more search engine friendly, but they leave more room for typing error and are not good for word-of-mouth recommendations. Imagine if someone told you they found some great deals at, "john doe online deals.com". You wouldn't know to type, john-doe-online-deals.com.

7. Choose a brand-able name. A short, catchy, and memorable name. You may choose to use your own name for branding.

Domain names cost approximately $10 a year. You don't need a website or a web hosting provider before you register a domain. I don't recommend registering one from your web hosting provider. This will prevent losing both if something unexpected happens or you want to change your hosting provider. There are many domain name services to choose from.

Think of several names you like before you start your search. The domain name service will make suggestions for you if your first choice is not available. Your name may not exceed 67 characters (including the extension). Only letters, numbers, and hyphens are allowed. Hyphens are not allowed at the beginning or the end of your name. When you find one you like, go ahead and get it registered before someone else does!

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How to Choose a Name for Your Website

If you have decided that you want to build a website for your business then the naming of website is very important. A website name is also known as a domain name and it's what people use to find your website.

There can be hundreds of companies, and people, all over the world with the same name but there is only one website name available. Try to think of a name that is memorable and describes your business.

The first thing you will need when deciding a name is a pen and paper. Write down various names that you would like to use for your website. You should use only letters if at all possible.

Remember that whichever name you go for, it is going to be for good because even though you can change it every page, link and promotion will no longer work. You will have to rebuild your whole website costing both a great deal of time and money.

So you have the paper in front of you with some clever, funny, fantastic and not so fantastic website names, now what? How do I know if these names are available?

We can check if the names are available on various websites. Enter a website name e.g. myownwebsite.com to see if the name is available. The results page will tell you if the website name is available or not. If it is available you may be given the option of buying the name but do not do so right away.

If a domain name is not available you will get a results page which will tell you who owns the name, when is was registered and when it will expire. If a name you have your eye on expires soon then it may be worth holding on until it becomes available. It is also important to remember that expired domains are often renewed automatically or the owner is given first preference on renewing the name.

To check for yourself what names are available or take you enter the name on this website whois.domaintools.com

Many names are purchased by internet companies that also provide hosting services. These companies will either just use the names and have adverts on the page or they will have the names for sale at a high price.

Now if for instance myownwebsite.com is unavailable you could go for another extension instead. An extension is the part that comes at end of the website name e.g. .com, .ie, .us.

If at all possible you should try to get a.com for your website name. This extension is by far the most popular in the world and is the default name that browsers use. If for instance a user types myownsite into the address bar, then the browser will straight away go look for myownsite.com. If you own the.com version then great but if you own the.biz version then you will lose that visitor and of course that all important sale.

My name is Paul O Brien. I have set up my own websites about various subjects and now I am sharing the knowledge and resources I have gained with others like me. If you want to design and build your own small simple website then visit my website http://www.websitedesignhub.com/ for tips and information.