Domain Names

 

In order to have a website, you must select and register a domain name, sometimes called a URL. This will be the address of your site's home page, for example, simplyFULL.com. However, registering a name only gives you the right to use it; the website still has to be hosted for it to appear on the internet, and that is a different topic.

Searching

There are many domain name search tools out there (some listed below) that you can use to search for available names and then register, if you find one you like.

It is not effective to type a domain name into your browsers' address bar to see if the site exists. If you find a site, this tells you the domain is not available, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the name is available. Names can be registered but not hosted. You need to use a domain search tool.

If you are going to have the site hosted, it may make business sense (simplicity) to register the domain name and host it with the same company. Some hosting companies will give you free domain registration (about $10/year) if you host the site with them.

If you find a name that is suitable, I suggest that you grab it right away. It will only cost you $10, and it gives you a bird in the hand. You can still search for a better name and register it also.

It has been said that some companies will find out that you have searched for a specific name and they will register it if you do not. I've also read that discussing your proposed name in online forums is potentially a problem, for the same reason. These companies or people will then give you the rights to the domain name, for a nice profit, because they have “reserved” it for you.

Selecting

Selecting a domain name was easy 15 years ago, but not any more. Several years ago I read that no three-letter domain names were left available. I suppose that many single word domain names are still available, but probably not ones you would want to use. These days' people are putting together two or more words, and sometimes they even make sense, such as simplyFULL.com (in my opinion). Even with so many possibilities already gone, I'm sure there are lots of very good names still available, if you simply think them up.

So, how do you choose one?

  • Avoid numbers and hyphens, if possible, because they are confusing to say.
  • Try to use word combinations, rather than acronyms, because they are more memorable.
  • .com, .net, .org are all usable, with probably little significant difference. “.org” was intended for nonprofits, but there is no legal requirement and it is being used widely. Same with “.net”.
  • Be ready to register a name if you find one: it may disappear. You can always continue your search for a better name. At $10 a pop, it's not worth the chance of losing it.
  • Some hosting services will give you free domain registration if you host with them. Discuss this with me first.
  • Don't discuss names in public - someone may grab it.
  • Names can be up to 67 characters, including the suffix. Some email programs may not handle more than 26 characters.
  • Prefix the name with “the” or “my”, as a variation; e.a., MyFriendlyStore.com.
  • Location specific names can be used, such as “.us”, but don't let it be deceptive.
  • Defensive registrations – purchase similar names and variations if you want to avoid competition. This includes dashes and various suffixes.
  • .www is no longer pertinent.
  • Consider registering verbs.

Here are two tools I find useful:

A review of domain search tools:

sixrevisions.com/resources/12-excellent-tools-for-picking-a-domain-name/

Another article on choosing domain names:

smashingmagazine.com/2009/05/02/the-effective-strategy-for-choosing-right-domain-names/