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Selecting a Quality Domain Name
By Shelley Lowery (c) 2005

When you're ready to launch your web site and you're trying
to select a good domain name, there are many factors that need
to be taken into consideration.

Select a Domain Name that Reflects Your Web Site

Above all else, your domain name should reflect what your web
site is all about. For example, if your web site is about
grooming a dog, you certainly wouldn't want to select a domain
name like 'mybusinessname.com,' since this would have nothing to
do with your web site's focus. You would want to select a domain
name that tells the world what your web site is all about --
something like 'doggrooming.com.'

Select a Domain Name that Contains Your Web Site's Keywords

Another consideration of great importance are your keywords.
Try to select a domain name that contains your most relevant
keyword phrase because some Search Engines place relevancy on
them. A keyword phrase is two or more words that best describe
your web page. If your web page is focusing on grooming a dog,
your best keyword phrase will be "dog grooming."

Select a Domain Name that will be Easily Remembered

With millions of web sites accessible on the Internet, it is
also very important to select a domain name that will be easily
remembered. As in the 'doggrooming.com' example above,
'doggrooming.com' is very easily remembered, contains the most
relevant keyword phrase and describes the web site in explicit
detail. It is the 'perfect' domain name for this particular web
site.

Select the Best Domain Extension

Another consideration of importance is the domain name extension.
Although there are many new domain extensions available, dotcom
is still the best choice. When typing in a web address, Internet
users automatically want to type in a .com extension, since this
is the extension that has been embedded into our brains from the
start.

Avoid Using Numbers in Your Domain Name

Although you may be tempted to do so, avoid using numbers within
your domain name. Including a number within your domain name can
cause problems. When you tell someone your web address, you will
continually have to tell them it's a number and not the word. For
example, if you selected a domain name like number1host.com, if
you were to tell someone your web address, they may try to type
it as 'numberonehost.com' instead of 'number1host.com.' This type
of domain name can cause confusion.

Avoid using Dashes and Underscores in Your Domain Name

Although many people do it, don't make the same mistake I made
when I first started out. Avoid using dashes, underscores or any
other characters within your domain name that may cause confusion.
When I registered my domain name, Web-Source.net, I actually
wanted websource.com; however, it had already been registered.
So, I settled for Web-Source.net. Now, when I tell someone my
domain name, I have to say it like this: web dash source dot
net.

Don't get me wrong, www.Web-Source.net is now a high traffic web
site, but I can only imagine how much traffic I've lost over the
years due to my domain name. I have received many emails over
the years from visitors who had a hard time finding my site.
They said they couldn't remember the domain name and kept wanting
to type in websource.com.

Avoid Using Abbreviations Within Your Domain Name

Although well-known companies, such as IBM, can get away with
using abbreviations within their domain name, most companies
can't. As a rule, try to avoid using abbreviations or anything
that will be difficult for your visitors to remember. Not only
will this cause confusion, but it can also cause your potential
visitors to make spelling mistakes when trying to type in your
web address.

Avoid Using Long Domain Names

Although you may now register long domain names, it's really not
a good idea. I learned this lesson the hard way. I registered
'www.workfromhomebusinessguide.com' and the sad thing is ... I
can't remember the domain name half the time. How can I expect
my potential visitors to remember it? Try to keep your domain
name as short as possible. The longer the domain name the harder
it is to remember and the more apt your potential visitors are
to make a typo when typing it into their browser.

Ensure Your Domain Name is Not a Trademark Infringement

Prior to registering a domain name, you may want to consider
searching the Trademark Electronic Search System,
http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm to ensure your
potential domain name isn't infringing on any trademarks.

Please don't take this point lightly, as trademark infringement
could cost you your entire business. It is your responsibility
to ensure that your potential domain name doesn't infringe on
any registered trademarks, as the trademark laws that apply in
the hard copy world also apply on the Internet. Any company that
registers a trademark has the right to protect their trademark
and has the right to notify you that your domain name is
infringing upon their trademark.

When you're ready to begin, create a list of a dozen or more
potential domain names, as chances are, your first choice will
already be taken. With any luck, one of the domain names on your
list will be available.

Take your time and select a quality domain name that will grow
with your business. It will be well-worth your time and effort
in the long run.

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Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course,
Web Design Mastery. http://www.webdesignmastery.com . Visit
Web-Source.net to sign up for your complimentary subscription to
Etips and receive a copy of Shelley's acclaimed ebooks, "Killer
Internet Marketing Strategies" and "Work from Home: A Complete
Guide..." http://www.web-source.net
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