Choosing the right domain name

Your domain name is the center of your Internet identity. So what type of things should you take into consideration when choosing the name that will represent you on the Web?

Keep it short
Although some places allow you to register a name with up to 63 characters, you have to keep in mind that people need to be able to remember it, and easily type it into their browser. Try to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your Website.

Dot What?
There are many different extensions available right now. For businesses, we recommend a .com or .co.uk suffix. These are the extensions that most people try when searching for a Website.All domain names have a suffix or extension, known as a TLD (Top Level Domain), which is usually based on the type of organisation with which it is associated. The most common suffixes are:

.com, .co.uk – commercial business domains
.net – commercial network
.org, .org.uk – nonprofit organizations
.edu – educational institution

Additional domain name extensions include : .biz, .info, .name.

Register Your Domain NOW
Domain names are being snatched up fast. You must register soon unless you want to get stuck with "the-domain-name-that-no-one-wanted.net".

One May Not Be Enough
Sometimes, it isn’t a bad idea to register several similar domain names. If you have "yourname.com", register "yourname..co.uk" so no one else takes it. You can register your full company name and a shorter, easier to remember version. Some people even register common misspellings of their company’s name.

Character Types
Just a reminder. Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and dashes. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Also, domain names are not case sensitive.

Ask Around
When you have settled on several available name choices, see what your friends and clients have to say. A name that may make perfect sense to you may be too hard for other people to remember. Is your domain easy to say? Is it hard to spell? Do you have to explain why you chose the name?

Consider:
> how your domain sounds
> is it memorable?
> how easy it is going to be to tell customers over the phone
> how it might look on a business card
> how well it relates to your business.

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