| > | | | | customer. How does it sound if you sayit out loud? If |
| Before you register another domain name, here are a | | | | you advertise on the radio, you better make sureit's |
| few thingsyou should know that will save you some | | | | clear. |
| time and money: | | | | Remember: this isn’t 1994 - you can only be |
| - what your domain name should REALLY say | | | | so choosey when itcomes to selecting names. The |
| - how to find a great name that will get you noticed | | | | one you really have your heart onmay be taken. If it |
| - where to register a domain name for about the | | | | is, but doesn’t appear to be in use, contactthe |
| price of a pizza | | | | owner and ask if it’s available. Detailed name |
| For starters, don’t think of your domain name | | | | and contactinformation can usually be found by doing |
| as simply a titlefor your business or web site. You | | | | a search at |
| should think of it as aheadline - something that | | | | Once you locate the owner, don’t offer |
| appeals directly to the wants, needs,and desires of | | | | anything up front, justinquire (Remember this |
| your target market. | | | | important rule of negotiating: The firstto name a price |
| It probably doesn't hurt to use "your" name | | | | usually loses). To get an idea of how muchsimilar |
| (BobsPlumbing.com). | | | | names are going for, first visit one of the good |
| But, you really should be thinking about a name from | | | | domainname auction sites like |
| theperspective of your clients and prospects. I hate | | | | Step 4: |
| to tell you,but they don’t care about your | | | | Before you register a name (especially if |
| name (or you, for that matter). | | | | you’re in the US), youmay want to do a free |
| People want benefits and solutions, and you should | | | | search at the U.S. Patent and Trademark |
| be tellingyour prospects what benefit they will | | | | Office web site ( It’s a good way to seeif |
| receive by doing businesswith you - in a great domain | | | | your proposed domain name may potentially violate |
| name. | | | | aregistered federal trademark. Don’t assume |
| Despite what you might think, all the good ones are | | | | that because it isavailable, it’s not |
| not taken. | | | | trademarked. I've seen it happen. It couldbe a costly |
| Granted, generic one-word names (i.e. | | | | mistake if you assume and you're wrong. |
| business.com,computers.com) are not available or are | | | | In addition, there are also state and international |
| very expensive if forsale - but that’s OK. | | | | trademarkissues to consider. Internet and trademark |
| There are alternatives, and good ones. | | | | law can be a bitoverwhelming to the uninitiated. |
| Step 1: | | | | Here’s a good summary oftrademark-related |
| Brainstorm some ideas. Make a list of keywords | | | | questions: For more info on |
| related to yourbusiness. Include some powerful, | | | | CyberSpace Law, check out |
| emotion-stirring adjectives, orat least words that | | | | Other considerations and recommendations: |
| might pique one’s curiosity. Put themtogether | | | | - Stay away from hyphenated names unless you also |
| in two or three word combinations. Get creative. | | | | own theunhyphenated version (no one remembers |
| Step 2: | | | | the hyphen, and peoplewill accidentally visit your |
| Go to where you can search up to 30names at once | | | | competitor). |
| for free - a HUGE time saver. I’ve had | | | | - Opt for .com if possible. There may be more |
| goodexperiences with them. You can register names | | | | options with |
| through them for | | | | .net and .org (or any of the other zillion |
| $9.99 (unfortunately, they've got a ten name | | | | new extensions),but .com is still king. People |
| minimum for thefirst purchase.) Also, try where you | | | | remember .com, and again, youdon’t |
| canlook for hidden gems among the millions of | | | | want to send prospects to your competitors. |
| recently deleteddomain names (names that were | | | | - Stay away from numbers (i.e. Websites4you.com) - |
| once registered and are nowavailable). You can also | | | | sounds andlooks cheesy; plus, it creates confusion if |
| search by entering multiple keywords,and | | | | you advertise on theradio. |
| combinations of these words are automatically | | | | Step 5: |
| checked. | | | | You’ve done your homework, you’ve |
| Nifty. | | | | found a good, |
| If you’re really serious about finding good | | | | benefits-focused name, and you’re |
| domain names, visit They offer a wonderful program | | | | ready to buy. Here are fewplaces you may want to |
| called | | | | register your domain name (I |
| Domain Name Analyzer which can help you quickly | | | | haven’tpersonally tried these, but the prices |
| and easilylocate a great name. It belongs in the | | | | look good): - $8.95 - approx. $11 - $12 - $14.95 |
| toolbox of any onlineprofessional - and it’s | | | | Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll soon be on |
| free. | | | | your way tofinding a great, memorable, |
| Step 3: | | | | traffic-generating domain name (forabout the price of |
| When you find something you like, before you take | | | | a pizza). |
| the plunge,ask a few people what they think. Get an | | | | Wishing you much online success... |
| objective opinion fromsomeone who could be your | | | | |