Choosing a domain name: Lessons I’ve learned

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In the highly competitive world of the internet, finding a good domain name is crucial, yet often difficult.  For those of you beginning the journey, let me share some things that I have learned.

First, keep it simple.  Try to use your current business name. This will help your existing customer base find you on the web.   Unfortunately, common domain names are often already taken.  You may need to try a variation.  As you do so, try to keep it short and simple.  Long domain names are hard to type and can easily be misspelled.  My domain name is a good example.  I really like the name, but it is a bit cumbersome to type and is easily misspelled.

All of the .com names I like are taken, what do I do?  Think outside the box and be creative.  You may be able to come up with another name you like as well.  There are also some good options out there for different domain extensions.  Using ".net" may prove to be a good alternative to .com or for organizations try ".org".  Information and how-to sites can use ".info", ".name" works well for personal sites.

If you feel there is a specific name that you must have, there is the option of purchasing it from the owner.  Sometimes the name is for sale or available in an auction.  If not, you may be able to approach the owner to see if they are interested in selling.  There are a variety of agencies available to assist you in the process.  I recommend using an agency rather than contacting the owner yourself.

Some things you need to avoid:

1.       Unusual or alternative spellings.  They may be catchy, but most people will not remember the variation and will not be able to correctly enter the domain name.

2.       Names with several hyphens.  Search engines may mistake them as spam.
 
Once you purchase a domain name, keep current with the yearly fee.  If you let it lapse it may be purchased within a few days by someone else.  People often do this in hopes of selling it back to you for a profit.  This actually happened to one of my clients.  So remember:  stay current.

Finding a good domain name can be challenging and frustrating.  However, even with the high demand for domain names, you can still find some good ones if you are resourceful and persistent. Good luck on your new website and happy hunting for a domain name!