Domain names are unique identifiers on the Net. You need to get a domain name if you're serious about making your business successful. Having your own domain instead of an extension of someone else's, gives your site better credibility, recognition, and visibility with the search engines and directories.
Technically speaking, domain names are aliases which refer Internet users to IP addresses, complicated series of numbers that represent the location on the server.
If you haven't purchased a domain yet it's best to buy one that includes one of your most profitable keywords for higher relevancy. The engines will rank your site higher for your keyword if it's included in your domain name.
Besides, when readers hit your site, they should be immediately able to understand what your site is all about. And the best way to do that is including your concept keyword in your domain name. It's a better description of your website.
The length can be up to 63 characters, although the shorter the better. You may use dashes if it helps readability. Generally, don't use dashes if your name has only two words in it.
Domain names include the Top Level Domain (TLD). The most popular TLDs are
.com, .org, .net, .cc.
.com represents companies or for profit organizations, it's also the most common
extension. Most personal websites also use this extension.
.net generally represents Internet Service Providers.
.org represents non-profit organizations or groups.
.cc is actually a country domain that has become a popular alternative when .com
isn't available. Country domains are typically more expensive and that's the case with .cc.
Though these are general guidelines, you may use any of these extensions when registering your name. If you want to make sure no one else can benefit from it, you can register all variations.
Choosing domain names
This is very important step in the entire process of building a website, and due to the recent "gold rush" for domain names, it can also be one of the most difficult. The right selection can make the difference between a successful website and one that fails to attract any visitors.
It may seem that nearly all "good" names have been registered. This doesn't mean, however, that there's nothing left, you just have to be a bit more creative.
Here are some tips for choosing domain names...
- Keep the length between 5-20 characters if possible.
- Try to base it on a common phrase, that's easy to spell and easy to remember.
- The generic TLD .com is by far the most marketable, and thus the most valuable domain.
Check for domain name availability
The next step is to find out whether or not "your" name has been registered. Prepare to be disappointed. You'd be surprised at how many people share your idea. The search box provided below will help you conduct this check.
This service not only checks them, but also generates a lot of available domain names based on yours. You can also register them for $7.99 a year.
Domain name generators
If you can't come up with something that works, you may want to try domain name generators. With a couple key words, and a company name for commercial applications, they'll usually be able to come up with something acceptable. Here are some of them...
Dotster's Domain Discovery System
Just enter the name that you originally wanted and this domain name generator will whip
out synonyms, word combinations and other alternatives for you to consider.
It can also generate available domain names based on the keywords you enter.
Even recently expired domain names are included in the search results.
Domain Fellow
Generates domain names based on the keyword you enter, and one of over a thousand popular
descriptive prefixes and suffixes in their database.
The next step is to register your domain name as quickly as possible. For more information on this, see Domain Registration.
- Overview
- Site Content
- Search Engine Optimization
- Web Design
- HTML Codes
- Web Graphics
- Domain Names:
- Domain Registration
- Web Hosting
- Online Website Builders
What's New
Inexpensive Web Hosting
How to choose a fast and reliable service from the bulk of cheap hosting solutions.
Easy Website builders
Easy way to build a professional looking site for commercial use or just for fun.
Web conferencing tool
for any business.
Advanced and free spam blockers
New generation of email spam blockers.