CHOOSING A DOMAIN NAME
By Cliff Posey

Domain names provide the identity of a website

Choosing a domain name for your site can be difficult. You will want to choose something
memorable, something that reflects your products and services, and something that is SEO
friendly.

Because there have been millions of people who set to the task of choosing a url before you
did, finding seo friendly domain names that haven't already been taken can be a bit tricky. This
is why it is a good idea to work on naming your website and choosing a domain name at the
same time.

Here are a few other things to consider when choosing a url for your website:

Put your branding in your domain name.
One of the reasons that choosing a domain name is so difficult is the idea of branding. Your
website name and your domain name are your brand, and they should be one in the same.
Branding can be tricky because you are, in essence, establishing your website identity. You
need a name that reflects what you will be promoting. For example, an informational website
about debt will be best served with domain names that somehow mention debt.

Real life examples of domains that were chosen to reflect branding are Amazon.com and
Bookfinder.com.

Length of Your Domain Name.
If you have already started researching domain names, then you have probably already heard
several arguments about the benefits of choosing a short domain name vs. a long domain
name. Both arguments have their points. A long domain name is generally more seo friendly
and can better describe your products. A short domain name, on the other hand is easier to
remember and easier to type into a browser.

When choosing a domain name, you can use up to 67 characters. This means that you don't
have to settle for short, obscure, or abbreviated domain names. At the same time, it is unwise
to use anything close to 67 characters. It simply leaves too much room for error when someone
is typing in the URL. A ridiculously long domain name will also make it difficult for people to share
your website through word of mouth.


Using Hyphens in Domain Names.
Sometimes, when webmasters can't get the domain names they want, they simply add
hyphens. For example, if discountbooks.com was taken, one could simply add a hyphen and buy
the domain name discount-books.com. There are advantages and disadvantages to choosing a
url with a hyphen. The advantage is that search engines can better distinguish your keywords,
making your website a little more seo friendly. The disadvantage is that it is very easy to forget
a hyphen when typing and you run the risk of sending your site’s visitors to your competitor.

You should also consider if you are getting yourself into a hornet's nest situation with
trademarked business names, so be careful.

Top Level Domains.
When choosing a domain name, you also have to decide what you want your top level domain
(your domain name extension) to be. While almost everyone wants to be a .com, that option
may not be available to you. The good news is that there is nothing necessarily wrong with
choosing other domain names that end in .net, .org, .us, or even .biz.


Cliff Posey, owner of CRP Marketing, owns and operates webbusinesstoolsonline.com. Cliff Posey has also
operated several other successful web businesses including Love Song Cards and Radio Career Consultants.
The content in this article was developed from his experience in these businesses and his continual research
into further business improvements
WCO Wealth Creating Opportunities
Webmasters Masters Course
You need Java to see this applet.