| I disagree with the comment made by some web | | | | market which is medical. Despite my advice that they |
| developers that all the good domain names are taken. | | | | keep the existing site and simply change the theme, |
| Search engine optimization, or seo, does not depend | | | | they decided to just let it go when it expired. |
| heavily on the www name you select. For my clients | | | | My commercial site choice was my first and last |
| just starting out the decision choosing small business | | | | name, and very unique at that. Using your name is |
| website names has never been an issue. It is a fact | | | | okay, and expected if you're famous. There is, |
| that all the 3 character and 4 character domain | | | | however, little or no value as far as keywords in my |
| names with the key extensions are taken. | | | | www domain to attract visitors, so is that a mistake |
| Furthermore, I agree that a vast number of choice | | | | for search engine optimization? Certainly not. The |
| domain names are no longer available; however, the | | | | fact that I have collected more than 100 screenshots |
| selection of a suitable www domain for your small | | | | of generic phrases relative to my business that made |
| business is possible if you remain flexible. | | | | Google page one is evidence the content, not the |
| The real value in the name you choose from a | | | | domain, is key. |
| search perspective is how easy it is to spell and | | | | Here's some advice to help you when choosing a |
| remember. Of the two types of visitors to your site, | | | | new dot COM small business website domain name. |
| the human visitors and search engines, the ability of a | | | | Start out with a list of about 10 domain names that |
| person to remember your domain name and spell it | | | | you would like to have. Next, make a list of market |
| correctly to pass it on to others outweighs any SEO | | | | related single word terms about what you do and |
| value. Search engines are robots and don't care. | | | | the customer base you service. If your market is |
| Using words like "greatest", "best", or other | | | | localized, consider geographical terms that relate to |
| exaggerated terms in your domain name is thought | | | | where you sell or provide services. Spend 30 minutes |
| by some to be a disadvantage and penalized by | | | | brainstorming to come up with the initial names and |
| search engines. Search algorithms change often and | | | | additional lists of single word terms. You may want |
| likewise that theory, and although you may not be | | | | another list of significant initials. |
| penalized for using such words, consider the reaction | | | | Next, search for "WhoIs" in Google to find free online |
| of your human visitors. They may not stick around if | | | | services that keep a database of available domain |
| they feel you boast without the content to back it | | | | names, and follow the link in the search results. Each |
| up. For a serious small business commercial enterprise, | | | | database has a search box which allows you to input |
| my advice is avoiding adjectives in the domain name | | | | the domain name and extension. Begin with your first |
| entirely. | | | | choice and work down the list and keep track of |
| In some cases new clients approach me to redesign | | | | available names for review later. It may not be easy, |
| an existing website, and it surprises me that some of | | | | so try combinations of the key terms as you |
| the basics are overlooked. For example, a commercial | | | | continue to search, and keep in mind you want a |
| enterprise in business for profit should not select a | | | | domain name that is easy to spell and remember. By |
| dot ORG domain simply because the dot COM was | | | | the time you're done you should have a half dozen |
| taken. This was the case from a conversation with a | | | | or more available names, so take your time and |
| client interested in a site makeover. Their ORG | | | | select the best one, and then register the name |
| version was online for two years with little or no | | | | immediately. |
| backlinks or serious indexing from search engines. The | | | | Tip: The domain name may not be significant for |
| mindset of getting one particular name should be | | | | search engine optimization, but the length of your |
| reconsidered especially if it's your first online venture. | | | | registration can be. My advice is registering domains |
| Here's a breakdown of the most desirable domain | | | | for 2 years minimum, and 5 to 10 years if that's in |
| extensions and the usual purpose of each: | | | | your budget. Search engines consider that the length |
| COM - Commercial for profit enterprise | | | | of your registration reflects your commitment to be |
| INFO - Information only related website | | | | online long term, so at today's prices 5 years is |
| NET - Companies providing internet services | | | | practical and should cost less than $50 USD. |
| ORG - Non-profit organizations | | | | There's nothing wrong with getting the dot COM |
| Certainly there are many more like BIZ, US, WS, and | | | | domain name you want, and then registering the |
| others which are all reasonable choices, but for your | | | | other major extensions that are available for the |
| commercial small business my recommendation is | | | | same name. If you are highly successful in your online |
| always acquire a dot COM www domain name. The | | | | venture, having the other extensions registered in |
| client mentioned earlier did not realize a dot ORG was | | | | your name prevents others from attempting to take |
| intended for a non-commercial enterprise, and they | | | | advantage of your reputation by association. In |
| decided the poor website SEO performance was | | | | conclusion, the concept that all the good domain |
| something that justified getting a new dot COM. We | | | | names are taken is a myth. You may not get exactly |
| easily found an available www domain using their | | | | what you want, but practical options are available |
| company initials and one key word about their target | | | | with a little research and due diligence. |