How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Business

How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Business

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A websites website name (also know as a website address or URL) is definitely an important consideration when developing your online presence. Choosing an appropriate domain name is the initial step in the process of building online credibility. Remember to select carefully because this online address may be where your company resides for the rest of its operating life. Right now, some important tips to consider before choosing your website name:

Choosing Your Domain Extension

A domain extension or top level domain is merely the suffix of your website address: (. com,. internet,. org,. ca, etc. ) Most Internet users are acquainted with the . com extension, and will generally use this extension automatically when typing an address into their browser. Choosing the . com extension should be your fist choice if the potential customers forget that your address is [http://www.mybusiness.NET], and visit your competitor at [http://www.mybusiness.com] in error. Choosing the . com extension gives your website probably the most credibility in the eyes of your customers.

If your company only caters to the local community, then it makes sense to obtain a country specific domain name, such as the . ca expansion. A country specific domain benefits you in two methods: both your customers and search engines such as Google will realize that your website is registered to a Canadian and works in Canada. Potential customers will feel more comfortable knowing that they're dealing with a Canadian company, and not a OUGH. S. based business pretending to be a Canadian organization. Also, search engines will give your website higher placement within the search results when a user is performing a Canadian particular search.
I personally recommend that my clients, if feasible, register both the . com AND . ca expansion. This way, your Canadian based website will benefit from while using . ca extension, while at the same time making certain they reach your website if they accidentally type the actual . com extension into their browser.

Using Your Company Name

The first choice for any domain name will be your business name. This ensures that your customers may remember your websites address. You cant expect your potential prospects to remember a phrase that just relates to your company.

Choosing Choice Keywords

Including specific keywords in your websites address can help your rankings in popular search engines such as Search engines or Yahoo. It is best to choose a keyword that you think your potential customers will use to find your business. A search engine optimization (SEO) professional such as Cost Effective Design can help you in choosing your keyword(s). These type of domain names are utilized in instances where the client does not want to make use of the business name because it is either already authorized by another company, or the company name is way too long. Any company that is serious about generating traffic through search engines like google should acquire a domain name with a keyword along with your business name.

Dont Confuse Your Customers

If feasible, try not to use domain names that include: 2 with regard to To or 4 for For or u for You. These could make your domain look cool or hip, but in reality they're not very practical. These domain names create a problem when directing your clients aimed at your website verbally or over the phone. For example, if a person owned http: //www. UsedCars4U. com, every time you verbally directed someone aimed at your website, you would have to specify that the URL uses the particular number 4, and letter U.

To Use, Or To not Use Hyphens

Given that more and more businesses are registering domains every day, getting the website address you want has become increasingly difficult. One or two word domain names are often already registered, forcing new registrants to choose URLs containing 3 or 4 words. To some people, these URLs can look just like a big mess of words. Using hyphens in between what can make them visually more appealing. For example, [http://www.used-cars-for-you.com], looks much better than [http://www.usedcarsforyou.com]. The jury is still out on hyphenated domains. The advantages are that they look better and search engines like google can easily distinguish the separate keywords for better research placements, but the disadvantages are that they are hard to verbally communicate and type.

The best solution is always to register both the hyphenated, and the un-hyphenated version of the domain name to ensure there is no confusion.

Domain Name Length

Even if you are allowed to use 67 characters for a website name, the general rule of thumb is: shorter is much better. Although, in some instances, the website address may be more memorable if it's more descriptive. For example a domain consisting of initials just, such as http: //www. waa. com, may not create a lasting impression when compared to domain name [http://www.windsorautoassociation.com]. Therefore, it is best to select a name that, while short, contains enough description for your visitors to easily remember.

Buying an Existing Domain Name

Maybe the website name you really want is already registered, either by the best company, or by a domain squatter who merely registered the name to sell for a profit later on. You can make an offer for these types associated with domains, although they make cost several hundred, or even 1000s of dollars. There are advantages to purchasing an existing domain title. In addition to getting the domain you want, it may also rank highly in the various search engines for certain keywords and / or generate topic specific traffic that you'll benefit your business.

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