What’s in a name? Does it define your website or is the domain just a placeholder?
Like many others, I’m currently in the process of choosing domain names, and it’s no fun. Chris Garret simpathises in this article describing why he chose chrisg.com and what you should take into consideration when registering your domain.
When choosing a domain name there are some factors to consider:
- How original and unique is it?
- How descriptive is it?
- What image does it convey?
- Would you remember it after seeing it once?
- Could you spell it after hearing it once?
Also worth considering is your market. Does the name appeal to or discourage your target audience? What are your competitors’ names?
Common sense and a fair bit of luck should land you a domain you can be happy with. And try not to make the mistake of therapistfinder.com, penisland.net and expertsexchange.com [Therapist Finder, Pen Island and Experts Exchange respectively].
Better Blog Branding: What’s In a Name? – [chrisg]
Of course the biggest consideration is whether the domain name is actually available. See my post: all the good names are taken (http://www.badlanguage.net/?p=125). I had a great idea for a business a few years ago and came up with a killer name for it. I didn’t register the domain and now, of course, someone else has. I’ve started buying domain names any time I think of a cool name or business idea – just in case. Think of it as “D’oh insurance”. Also, readers might be interested in how I came up with the name for my company and how I wrestled with domain name availability in doing so: http://www.badlanguage.net/?p=72
There’s a business that can help you. For $50 http://www.pickydomains.com/ will send you a list of potential domain sites every day. If at the end of 30 days you haven’t found one you like, you get your money back.
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I just clubbed Anvil and Wheel to get a New word anwheel.com. This is easy to remember and it is like “an wheel” (wrong grammar)
Thanks for your great advice chris, a well explained and easy to follow tutorial, this will help me alot in my search for a domain.
Good list of quoted criteria. I like the fact that there is no mention of search keyword popularity like many other people that get hung up on it (while it counts for very little). Also, if I might add a couple of ideas, it would be good to consider future trends both in general and as it applies to the specific area of the website of interest. For example as a general rule, one can assume that the role of easy to spell names becomes less important as the internet generation with better spelling skills comes of age. The other thing is that it has been found that short names have not been as important as previously thought but I believe it will start becoming gaining importance as more people start accessing the net via mobile devices. Of course that will most likely be temporary since technology is bound to find ways of making it easier to input longer string into mobile devices in time.
Excellent post. Finding the right domain name might be very difficult. It may take a day or two, or even a week of brainstorming to find the right one. Furthermore, If you would like to come up with a good business/company name, why not launch a contest? Crowdsource your business tasks to experts. Launch a competition and get instant results for your business!
To be honest, it took me almost a year to come up with one of domain names. I am glad that I waited because my original ideas were…questionable, lol.
I agree with the things that you have taken into consideration when choosing a domain. I think the following article also lists some other great things to consider from a different perspective:
http://www.guidetostart.com/?page_id=4
Thank you for your insightful article!
Great questions! I love you mention the image that it conveys. You want your domain name to be a balance of artistic and functional. Sometimes you just to have give yourself more time to think of a domain. Inspiration can come at any moment. How to Choose the Best Domain Name, Niche and Social Networks for Your Blog