| Domain names have been around for quite a long | | | | capitalize on your organization's reputation. If |
| time and with the low cost in registering domain | | | | inappropriate material is posted on the new website, |
| names, their usage has exploded over the years. | | | | it may reflect badly on your organization, being that it |
| Purchasing a domain name is a simple process and | | | | was so recently owned and used by your |
| delivers improved exposure to your website, but | | | | organization. |
| here are some best practices to consider when | | | | Purchase Misspelled Variations: If your domain name is |
| registering a domain name: | | | | a commonly misspelled word, purchased those |
| Keep the domain name simple: The domain name | | | | misspelled variations. This could increase the direct |
| doesn't have to contain every single word of the | | | | traffic to your website. |
| company or service. This also applies to directory | | | | Have a single department manage the domain names: |
| names. I've encountered organizations that had every | | | | This isn't as important in smaller organizations, but in |
| word of a service area in the directory name. For | | | | larger organizations like universities and colleges, this is |
| example, the service area name was Building Strong | | | | critical. When various areas are purchasing domain |
| Communities and the directory name was | | | | names when they deem it necessary, there is no |
| building-strong-communities. Add that on to the main | | | | one body to accept accountability and to ensure |
| domain name, and you have an long URL. | | | | these (or similar) best practices are followed. |
| Purchase other TLD's: If you want to purchase | | | | Use the same domain name registrar: When possible, |
| yourcompany.com, it is advisable to also purchase | | | | use the same domain name registrar. This makes |
| yourcompany.net, yourcompany.org, etc. (where | | | | managing the multiple domain names easier. There are |
| possible). This will help protect your organization's | | | | some cases where this wouldn't work out. For |
| online identity. I remember years ago when I was in | | | | example you want to register the.info TLD but your |
| college, one of the instructors mentioned to us how | | | | registrar doesn't handle those, then in that case you |
| whitehouse.gov was the official White House | | | | would need to find a registrar that did. Maybe |
| website, while was an adult website. Fortunately, has | | | | consider switching to a registrar that supports a |
| since be changed into a political-centered website. | | | | variety of TLDs. |
| Imagine if someone went to yourcompany.net and it | | | | Use a domain name policy: If you are in a large |
| was a website that had material that could tarnish | | | | organization, consider drafting a policy that outlined |
| your organization's image. | | | | the best practices that you would like to follow and |
| Maintain domain names for two years after they are | | | | ensure that it is publicized. There is not point in |
| needed: If you purchase a domain name for an event | | | | coming up with best practices and then sitting on |
| or the need for the domain name is non-existent, it is | | | | them. Many large organizations already have some |
| advisable to continue ownership of the domain name | | | | domain name policy in place. See if you can find a |
| for two years past the need. Keep a static page at | | | | public version of a policy from another organization |
| the domain name advising visitor's that this domain | | | | and using it as a springboard to start your own. |
| name is no longer in use and will be retired in two | | | | These are just a few of the observations that I've |
| years. The reasoning is similar to point 2. If you let | | | | made over the years. Try Googling for 'domain name |
| your domain expire right after you no longer need it, | | | | best practices' to see what others may say. |
| it may be purchased by a company hoping to | | | | |