| Let's face it -- finding a good domain name is tough | | | | possibilities. So yes, there are still good domain names |
| these days. Over 100 million domains have already | | | | available. Some good evergreen words are...o Staro |
| been registered, and from all accounts, the trend is | | | | Marko Pointo First |
| not likely to stop soon. So what's an aspiring internet | | | | Not only will this open up possibilities, it will allow you |
| entrepreneur to do? While not a guarantee, these | | | | to track your company's success online, since you will |
| eight and a half steps will go a long ways towards | | | | have a unique name. When we created the name |
| landing that perfect domain name without breaking | | | | Coghead.com, there were few, if any, references to |
| the bank. | | | | that name on Google. The client was then able to |
| 1. Start the search | | | | monitor their exposure simply by looking at the |
| The best place I've found to locate domain names is | | | | number of matches on a search of their name. As of |
| (formerly WhoIs.sc) They can tell you if the .com is | | | | this writing, Coghead brings up345,000 hits, a good |
| taken, and by whom, as well as offering other | | | | indication the word is getting out. A search of the |
| variations of the name that are available. They can | | | | word "summit" brings in 73,000,000 unrelated |
| also look up the history of the domain name, if it's | | | | matches, so imagine trying to get noticed using that |
| been registered in the past, as well as providing | | | | name. |
| information about the domain's current traffic, where | | | | 5. Think of phrases |
| it's hosted and who it's hosted with. When you come | | | | This is another strategy that is often overlooked. In |
| across a name that you might want, open an | | | | a rush to come up with short domain names, |
| account at or so that you can purchase the name | | | | memorable phrases get overlooked. An example of |
| affordably (generally $7 to $8 to register a new | | | | this was an online jewelry company we named By |
| domain name.) | | | | using the metaphor of an ocean, we created a |
| Other sites to search for pre-owned names are | | | | thirteen letter domain name that is still easy to say |
| Afternic.com, Sedo.com, and Each has a large | | | | and recall. And the name was just sitting there |
| inventory of names that can be searched by | | | | available. Does this require a lot of thinking and |
| category. Unlike finding an unregistered name, these | | | | digging? Yes! But if you hit upon the right name, it's |
| names will often run in the hundreds to thousands of | | | | worth it. Another client with the name Harbour House |
| dollars, so determine ahead of time how much you | | | | Crabs, found the phrase ilovecrabs.com, and secured |
| are willing to invest in a good name. Lastly, look at | | | | that domain as their primary ecommerce site. If you |
| sites such as for names that will be "dropping" or | | | | can't find a word, then try a phrase that pays. |
| expiring soon. If you find a name you like, and you | | | | 6. Invent new names |
| have the time to wait, you can pick up some good | | | | Another method is to invent names, but be careful. |
| names from domain owners that let their names | | | | Totally invented names such as Xerox or Kodak, |
| expire. Now that you know where to search for a | | | | start off with no inherent meaning. So if you invent a |
| domain name, let's take a look at how to do it | | | | domain name, still try to use familiar parts of speech |
| effectively and successfully. | | | | that contain some sense of feeling or emotion upon |
| 2. Get the .com extension | | | | which to build your brand. An all-natural bug spray |
| This is the number one mistake I encounter when | | | | company we named A web based IT company we |
| dealing with naming disasters. In a hurry to go to | | | | branded to underscore their intelligence and insights. A |
| market, eager entrepreneurs decide to take the | | | | knowledge management firm we named |
| available .net or a hyphenated version of their name. | | | | Claricent.com, for bringing clarity, insight and |
| You will likely regret this decision as future customers | | | | understanding to their clients. If you go this route, |
| default to the .com address. You may even find your | | | | make sure the name you invent can only be spelled |
| emails going to the .com domain address, which is | | | | one way, or on a minimum, capture all possible |
| even more frightening if the .com version is a | | | | misspellings of the name and redirect them to the |
| competitor. This can be a costly mistake in terms of | | | | main domain name. |
| customer confusion. And you will spend valuable time | | | | 7. Run a legal search |
| in explaining the .net or hyphen to each new client | | | | Once you locate an available domain name, be sure |
| you encounter. Be patient and get a name that's | | | | to check and see if you can trademark it. The best |
| unique, distinguishable and memorable - and one that's | | | | place to start is Uspto.gov. There you will find a |
| a .com. | | | | database of trademarks you can search to see if |
| 3. Be creative | | | | your new name might conflict with a similar existing |
| Here's another cold, hard reality - the simple | | | | business. Just because it doesn't show up does not |
| one-word domain names are either gone or | | | | mean you are in the clear. There might be a business |
| tremendously expensive. So if you think the name | | | | that operates on a state or local level that doesn't |
| Paradigm or Pinnacle is cool, those names were | | | | appear in the uspto.gov database. So do a Google |
| probably registered about the time Al Gore invented | | | | search as well. This will generally provide a good |
| the internet. You will have to do better than this. If | | | | indication if someone is using the name or something |
| you insist on using a common name of this type, | | | | similar to it. To make sure you have a clear name, |
| then look for endings to go with these names such | | | | check your list of available domain names with your |
| as...o Groupo Inco Agencyo Systemso Globalo | | | | attorney or an online trademark company such as |
| Solutions | | | | 8. Hire a specialist |
| You may also try adding an industry specific modifier | | | | If your time is valuable or you can only find domain |
| such as...o Mediao Medicalo Techo Capital | | | | names with huge price tags, consider hiring a naming |
| Even if these endings are available as a .com domain | | | | firm. They can provide the experience and expertise |
| name, be aware that a competitor might have used | | | | to devise names, often for less than the cost of |
| the same strategy and have a very similar name. | | | | purchasing a mediocre domain name. I've |
| Generally it's better to go one step further and | | | | encountered more than one instance where a client |
| create a truly unique domain name that won't show | | | | was prepared to pay upwards of $20,000 for a |
| up with a slew of others. Here's one way to do just | | | | domain name that was bland at best, when they |
| that. | | | | could have a custom created domain name with a |
| 4. Combine evergreen words | | | | matching tag line, and matching logo artwork for abut |
| One of the best domain name creation strategies | | | | half that price. Instead of a just domain name, you'll |
| I've discovered is combining simple, positive words in | | | | have an entire brand identity. Granted, not everyone |
| a unique fashion. To accomplish this, create a list of | | | | can afford this type of help, but for those looking to |
| basic words that describe your business or industry. | | | | build a substantial internet presence, the expense is |
| Then try adding a positive connotation/evergreen | | | | often well worth the price. |
| word that will give the name that little extra twist to | | | | 8.5 Make the decision |
| make it stand out. An example of this is a company | | | | This really doesn't warrant a full step since it seems |
| that came to us that specialized in embossing and | | | | obvious. But in the end it simply comes down to a |
| promotional goods. We took the basic word "Boss" | | | | choice. And to move forward in business you have |
| (from emboss) and combined it with the evergreen | | | | to make choices. Don't be paralyzed by indecision. |
| word "Mark." The result was BossMark.com, a name | | | | Review the steps above and ask the opinions of |
| that resonated well and was available as a .com | | | | those who have your best interest at heart, (i.e. your |
| domain. Other examples we have found using this | | | | best clients, trusted employees, a spouse.) Limit the |
| method are KoreOne.com, and Even though 100 | | | | feedback to those whose opinions you value, |
| million domain names have been registered, it doesn't | | | | otherwise you will get overwhelmed and confused. In |
| touch the number of names available if you take | | | | the end, it must be a name that you believe in and |
| every known word and combine it with every other | | | | about which you can tell a story and feel passionate. |
| possible word. The more basic dictionaries contain | | | | And once you find that perfect domain name, all |
| 60,000 words. So combining 60,000 words with a | | | | that's left is making a name for yourself! |
| possible 60,000 other words results in 3,600,000,000 | | | | |