| The online segment of a business empowers it to | | | | considerations to get you started: |
| reach beyond geographic boundaries and gain | | | | - What top level domain (TLD) to choose. The top |
| exposure to a larger share of targeted consumers. | | | | level domain in is the .com at the end. Other top level |
| With a growing number of companies operating solely | | | | domains you have probably seen are .net, .org, .biz as |
| online, business owners are dedicated to establishing | | | | well as country specific TLDs like .ca and .uk. In most |
| a strong online presence in order to maximize profits. | | | | cases, the .com is the chosen TLD for commercial |
| To optimize the benefits of selling in the online | | | | sites because users are accustomed to hearing and |
| marketplace, companies operating on the internet | | | | typing .com, though country specific TLDs have |
| should secure the right domain name from the start. | | | | advantages in certain situations. Some business |
| A domain name is the unique name for a website's | | | | owners opt to purchase the .net or .biz when the |
| address on the internet, and is an important part of | | | | .com is unavailable. If you purchase a .net or .biz, |
| branding a business. The domain name of is The | | | | keep in mind that some users may not remember to |
| domain name you select for your business is what | | | | use the less common TLD, and may end up going to |
| potential customers will type into a browser to find | | | | the .com address that does not belong to you. |
| your website, so it is best to select one that is easy | | | | - Whether to use the hyphenated version if your |
| to remember and type. | | | | first choice is unavailable. This means using if you are |
| If you do not yet know what you plan to name your | | | | unable to get thedomainnameiwant.com, for example. |
| business, it may be helpful to research available | | | | Using the hyphenated version of a domain is a |
| domain names first to get an idea of your options. If | | | | feasible option, though if you choose to do so, there |
| your business name and domain name match, | | | | are some considerations to keep in mind. For |
| potential customers can guess how to get to your | | | | instance, it may be difficult to convey the URL |
| site even without knowing the address. The first | | | | verbally, such as through word of mouth publicity or |
| step to securing the right domain name is checking its | | | | in a radio ad. On the other hand, some believe that |
| availability. Search domain names for availability using | | | | URLs with important keywords separated by |
| a trusted domain name research tool. | | | | hyphens can give a site a relevance boost in the |
| Do not be discouraged if your first few domain name | | | | search engines, though this theory would be difficult |
| ideas are unavailable, as there are billions of websites | | | | to prove. |
| out there with each having at least one domain | | | | - Whether a particular domain name can be easily |
| name! With so many sites on the Web, it comes as | | | | remembered by the average person. People are |
| no surprise that most good domain names are taken, | | | | more likely to find your site if they can remember |
| but this does not mean you have to settle for a less | | | | and type the domain name easily. In general, shorter |
| desirable one. For a $500 to $1000 investment, you | | | | domain names are easier to remember and type, but |
| can get a premium domain name perfect for your | | | | users' familiarity with the name you choose also plays |
| business. User-friendly domain name search tools will | | | | a role. For example, using an acronym for your |
| offer suggestions for premium domain names based | | | | domain will keep it short, but a series of letters that |
| on keywords you enter, and allow you to purchase | | | | do not make up a word may be difficult for many |
| your domain name directly. | | | | people to remember. Do not hesitate to ask for |
| If the domain name you want is taken, consider | | | | opinions from family, friends and colleagues, who can |
| contacting the owner to see if he or she is open to | | | | give you outside perspective on whether a certain |
| selling it. If not, select a different domain related to | | | | domain name is memorable and easy to type. |
| your business with the points from the list below in | | | | Selecting the right domain name is an important step |
| mind. You can find out who owns a domain using a | | | | in beginning to build a strong online brand. Using an |
| "Whois Search" tool on a reputable website. | | | | intuitive domain name search tools and a little |
| While there are certainly not concrete rules when it | | | | creative thinking will make it easy to find the perfect |
| comes to selecting a domain name, here are a few | | | | domain name for your business. |