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Selecting A Domain Name That Clicks!by BB Lee (C)2005mailto:smallbizbits@yahoo.com
(736 Words)
After making the decision to join the World Wide Web BusinessCommunity. Another important step awaits your attention.
You will certainly want to select a Domain Name for yourbusiness.
That's right! Your very own Domain Name for your onlinebusiness.
Selecting the right domain name is often a hard task formany new online business owners.
They want a catchy name that will get attention plus deliverthe paying customers to their website. Unfortunately, manyonline business owners insist on the wrong name. One thatis not only improper for their business but also might givepotential customers the wrong impression.
I've heard of quite a few online business owners naming theirnew business after a family pet, a child, or significant other.Not necessarily in that order!But, alas, that "catchy" name might make it difficult forpotential customers to find your website or you might attractthe wrong crowd.
And speaking on the wrong crowd..."I guess you've heard the joke about the elderly woman whohooked impressive rugs for a living and decided to start a websitecalled hookers.com. Well, she received many hits to her website frommany disappointed lecherous male surfers, so the storygoes."
Before deciding the proper Domain Name let's cover a few basics:
What's A Domain Name?In basic terms a domain name is your business name on the WorldWide Web. This is how customers will find your website. Thedomain will show your location and whether your website iscommercial (com) organizational (org) educational(edu)governmental(gov) or any one of several other suffixes.
How Might A Domain Reflect Your Business?If you repair cars, your domain might be:-www.autorepairs.com-www.Qualityautorepairs.com
If you design websites a good domain might be:-www.Qualitywebdesigners.com-www.cheapwebdesigns.com
If you sell house plants a good domain name might be:www.houseplantsforyou.comwww.houseplants.com
If you repair computers a good domain name might be:www.computerservice.comwww.computer-repair.com
By reflecting exactly what your business concerns it will beeasier for potential customers to find your website even ifthey don't know the exact URL (Universal Resource Locator)They might simply go to a search engine like Google.com andtype the kind of business they are looking for. Suppose youown a home based computer repair service on the Internet.A potential customer types "computer repair" ongoogle...and up pops your website! They visit your website.Contact you about your repair services. Cool...huh?
What's The Deal With The Suffix?Selecting a suffix is important. Even though com, net, org,gov, edu, tv, enjoy amazing popularity, It would be wise toselect com. Why? Because it is the most popular.Plus "com" is the one your browser will automatically fill in ifsomeone types in your business name without the suffix. Onceagain this will make it easier for a potential customerto locate your website. Only use net, org, or any othersuffix if "com" is not available.
Availability?After selecting your Domain Name you shoulddetermine if that name is available. You might want todownload a domain lookup tool. Or use a domain lookupservice online. Many webhosting services have a domainlookup tool readily available.
If your desired Domain Name is available NOW is the perfecttime to decide if you want to register the name and selecta web hosting package. Usually you will have the option toregister the name for a year, two years, three for apredetermined price. I've seen pricesstarting at $9.99 and up per year.
Note: Many webhositng services offer free domain registrationwith a webhosting package. Many webhosting packages start ataround $15.00 and up per month for a starter website.
Let's Review:-Decide You Want A Professional Name That Gets Attention.-Select A Name That Describes Your Business.-Select A Name That Will Be Easy To Find Online.-Check Availability.-Register Your Domain With Optional Hosting Package.
After reading this informative article you should have a goodunderstanding on selecting a Domain Name That Clicks!
--------------------------------------BB Lee is the editor of SmallBizBits Newsletter.SmallBizBits will give you the information you need tostart a home based business. Each issue featuresoriginal articles, tips, business ideas, downloads,plus more. http://www.smallbizbitsnews.com
About the Author
BB Lee is a freelance writer and the editor of SmallBizBits News. A free online home based business newsletter packed with info on starting a business from home.
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