Methods For Properly Selecting Domain Names

For web professionals and anyone who spends a fair chunk of time online, the importance of the proper address is obvious, even if it's on a subconscious level. Just like naming a business, it makes sense for those online architects to pick something snappy and easy to remember as the direction for access. After all, with so many different websites springing up, the real distinguishing factor is whether or not tons of traffic appears. And it's a whole lot easier to attract the proper kind of attention when a name manages to resonate. Consider the times that it takes a split-second to remember the domain name to type into a browser search window, and which ones come naturally. While part of it might be the number of times one has visited a site, part of it is also whether or not someone did a great job of selecting a great catchphrase or title to be used.

Whether this is the first time one is making these decisions or selecting domain names is about to become a larger part of one's life, here are a few different essential do's and don'ts for the process. After all, it's only possible to make a first impression one time, and that initial visit where someone directs their browser to a webpage and is able to connect is the opportunity to build a connection that keeps that particular person--and plenty of others--coming back over and over.

DO go for brevity. People are going to have to remember this address if it's not written down or on a card, and even if it is on a card, names that stick are the names most likely to succeed. This might mean thinking of a more creative website name, too, but some of the best bloggers out there who managed to hit it big once moving to the world of .com hosting are the ones with the shortest addresses to type in. From MattBites and his world of food to BrooklynVegan and his music blog, these are two-word names that have done a lot.

DON'T forget that there is more to the net than .com domains. If it's already taken as a .com, look at the other options. Non-profits can actually use the .org address, so don't assume that it's necessary to snag the .com. Likewise, anyone is able to go with a .net, and sometimes this means being able to choose a shorter address and superior overall domain name.

DO look at the experts. Consider the naming of websites checked out on a daily basis aside from email and banking, and figure out what it is about them that is so catchy, if anything. Whether it's the gossip guru Gawker or the one-man paparazzi extravaganza PerezHilton, there are ways to pick a catchy name and then snag it as a .com. Sometimes, domain names are less about registering something boring and more about creating something worthwhile for the first time.

DON'T get overly specific. If someone else shares a restaurant name or first and last name and occupation, it might be tempting to consider a long address, like StevenWebsterLawyerFL.com. But just like with email addresses, it sometimes makes more sense to go with less, as things start to look less professional the more information is added. Try something different, like websterlawoffices.com or stevenwebsteresq.com. Both alternatives are easier to remember and more becoming of the vocation being represented.

Domain Lookup is an effective and quick way to figure out if a desired online home is available for the taking. Consulting the net for deals on domain names is also a great way to get ahead.