Choosing a domain name is a big decision and finding a good domain name that isn’t taken these days can be difficult. Here’s some tips to help you in selecting a name.
Make a list
While you’ll likely have a preferred name, make a list of possibilities in case it’s not available, preferably dozens of options listed in order of preference. Don’t have your heart set on just a couple of names as you’ll probably be disappointed.
Use WHOIS to check availability
Typing an address into your browser will not be an accurate way of checking on ownership as the vast majority of all domain names currently registered are not in use.
A WHOIS query is the most accurate way to tell. To access a WHOIS application and check on the availability of a domain name, try this application – it will also offer you some variations.
Generic, business names and trademarks
Most people choose to register their business name as a domain name, but it’s well worthwhile considering selecting a generic name, something that is related to your subject area or industry. Not only will it be easier for people to remember, but it will also have greater resale value if you should choose to sell your site in the future.
It’s also advisable to check whether the name you are registering encroaches on any other trademark. Many people have registered celebrity or company names hoping to make a quick buck by selling them back to their “owners”. This usually backfires as it is an illegal practice called “cybersquatting”.
Generic terms cannot be trademarked to the point of the exclusion of others using word combinations. Since generic one word domain names are virtually impossible to locate now, try two or three word combinations that reflect your products and services.
Keep it short and simple
While gr8t-sheet-sales-4u-2day-bargains.com is descriptive, it’s also a mixture of numbers, letters, abbreviations, hyphens and terribly long.
A domain name should be easy to remember, easy to relay to someone over the telephone. Domain names should also be as brief as possible.
Country specific and other domain name extensions
Many countries now lease out the rights to use their extensions globally. The best example of this is the .tv domain which actually belongs to Tuvalu. There are now over 250 TLD’s globally.
A number of new Top Level Domain (TLD) extensions including .biz and .info were also released a couple of years ago amid a great deal of fanfare.
There is the temptation that if your first choice of names isn’t available as a .com or a .com.au, to register the name as a .net, .biz or .tv etc. Think carefully before making this decision. These extensions do not have the recognition of .com – which is the “Beverly Hills” of domain extensions, or of .com.au; specifically for the Australian market if you’re targeting locally.
Beware of the sharks
To register a domain name, you need to locate a Registrar. Domain name registrars are commonplace, but you need to be very careful who you register your domain through. Bigger is not necessarily better.
For example, an very well known international company currently offers .com domain name registration for US$35 a year for a basic service. Much better deals can be found with just a little hunting around; but it’s also important to register your name with a reputable company, preferably one accredited by authorities such as ICANN and auDA (for .com.au names). If something goes wrong with your domain name or the registration service suddenly disappears, it can have a crippling effect on your business.
Registration and web site hosting – 2 separate services
Many people are under the impression that registering a domain name also includes space for hosting your web site. While this can be the case with some package deals, it is important to understand that they are two separate services.
Summarising
In summary, here are the basic guidelines for choosing a good domain name:
- Keep it as short as possible
- Make it generic as possible, but related
- No numbers or misspellings
- Easy to remember
- Easy to spell
- Get a .com.au if you’re targeting locally
- Get a .com and .com.au if you’re targeting locally and internationally.
One final point on hyphens. Some search engines rank sites more highly if your domain name contains keywords – e.g white-flombles.com. By removing the hyphen, you may lose the benefit on some of the smaller engines; but the major engines are able to pick out the keyterm in a non-hyphenated name.
