Choose a Domain Name

Helpful tips for choosing your domain name:

1. Shorter is better. It’s easier to remember a short domain name versus along one.
2. Use keywords in your domain name. Keywords are words that someone might type in to search for your product or services.  For example, if you sell widgets and you’re located in Kirkland, Washington, consider using KirklandWidgets.com, even though the name of your company may be Acme Widgets. In order to find out which keywords to use, use my “Google Keyword Tool” step-by-step guide.
3. Make two side by side lists, one listing several words that describe your product or service, like “big widgets”, “humongous widgets” and “ginormous widgets”.  The second list is geographical in nature, like kirkland, bellevue, redmond, seattle, king county, pacific northwest.  Then, try various combinations from the two lists.
4. Use “.com” as opposed to using other extensions like “.biz” or “.net”.  Dot com’s are more memorable.
5. Avoid domain names that have two or three of the same letter in a row. For example, “mattressseattle.com” has three S’s in the middle.  Instead, consider using “seattlemattress.com” to break them up.
6. Avoid using another company’s trademark name in your domain name. For example, if you use the domain name HondaExperts.com, Honda will most likely send you a cease and desist order.
7. Once you selected several  possible domain names, check them for availability. I like to use “betterwhois.com”.  The site looks dated, but they have a built-in system to foil squatters.  Squatters are programmers who have figured out how to see what you’re typing in as a possible domain name, buy it before you do and then try to sell it back to you.
8. Select your domain name and make the purchase.  I like to use godaddy.com or bluehost.com.  Godaddy has decent pricing, about $12 per domain name.  But watch out for the upsell.  Just continue to click “No Thanks” until you get to the screen where you can pay.  Bluehost currently offers a free domain name with hosting purchase.  To go there now, click on the Bluehost ad in the right hand column of this page.  Please note that I will be paid a commission, if you click through and make the purchase.

I hope these tips have helped you reach your decision.  Happy domain selecting!