| you decide to create a website, you are deciding on | | | | with a .com version rather than a .biz, .net, .tv or any |
| more than just what to put on your pages and how | | | | other suffix available if at all possible. Otherwise, you |
| to make them look pretty. You need to find a home | | | | will potentially lose business to the more popular .com |
| for your site, also known as its domain. For that, | | | | site. |
| you'll have to create a domain name and then find | | | | Don't get your heart set on one particular domain |
| out whether it's available for your use. This is called a | | | | name; that's a recipe for disappointment. Make sure |
| domain search or domain check. | | | | each domain name on your list is one you could |
| To start your search, first start by making a list of | | | | happily live with, because chances are good that at |
| domains you would like to register. Consider choosing | | | | least one of them will be available. If you go into |
| names that relate in some meaningful way to the | | | | your domain check with the intention of only being |
| products and services your business provides, and | | | | satisfied if one of your top three is available, you are |
| one that is easy to remember and spell. You want | | | | almost sure to be disappointed. |
| people to be able to find you! | | | | If you start to get discouraged during your domain |
| Once you have your list of potential domains, hop | | | | check, keep this in mind: In some industries, there are |
| online and start searching. Enter the name you want | | | | domain names for every two dictionary words. That |
| into the Address field of a web browser. If you are | | | | is near impossible competition! But with a little |
| taken to a website, that domain is already owned. If | | | | patience you can find a great domain name. Try using |
| you get an error message, you're in luck: The site is | | | | synonyms for the keywords you want to use, or try |
| probably not registered. | | | | an alternate (but still memorable) spelling. For |
| Another way is to go online and look for one of the | | | | example, if your business is called Cut n Paste but is |
| myriad sites that allow you to search for domain | | | | already taken, consider instead. It's still easily |
| names. This one-stop-shopping approach may save | | | | associated with your business and easily |
| you some time. | | | | remembered! |
| When you find a domain that isn't registered, don't | | | | Finally, another way to perform a domain name |
| rush to register the first available one. Check out | | | | check is to use software. There is a variety of |
| several combinations before making up your mind. | | | | software choices out there that can quickly and |
| And don't automatically run for the .com version of | | | | effortlessly generate thousands of potential domain |
| your domain. Although the most popular option, a | | | | names based on the criteria you specify. |
| .com suffix may not be necessary for your business. | | | | No matter how you perform your domain check, it is |
| If you can't find an available domain name that you | | | | important to approach the process with an open |
| want with a .com extension, consider trying one that | | | | mind and a measure of patience. You may not be |
| is particular for your own country, such as co.uk for | | | | able to snag your first, second or even third domain |
| the U.K. If your business isn't necessarily international, | | | | name choice, but that doesn't mean you can't end up |
| there may be no good reason to give up the name | | | | with a memorable domain name that will help drive |
| you want just because the .com version is taken. | | | | traffic to your site and make your business a |
| That being said, if your business is based in the U.S. | | | | booming success! |
| or if you plan on doing international business, stick | | | | |