Thank you to guest author for submitting these domain name
registration tips.
Domain name registration is a necessary, easy, and
strategically important first step in establishing an online
presence, whether for business or otherwise. A well-chosen
domain name can set you up for success in so many ways, the most
prominent of these being increased search engine traffic. Here
are some vital elements to consider when executing your domain
name registration.
A good domain name registration is easily done, but at the
same time requires choices that will impact your site's
effectiveness. So here, in no particular order, are some things
to bear in mind when doing a domain name registration.
- The extension - Will it be a .com, .net, .org, .info
etc. Any of these will get spidered and indexed by the
search engines, but if you can get a .com for your chosen
name you'd be better off, as this extension is more common
and carries an air of legitimacy with it.
- Try not to register your domain name with your web host.
The reason is that should you decide to part ways with your
host, (and this isn't uncommon!) it's potentially a massive
headache to move your domain as well. Split them up: you'll
be glad you did!
Your domain name registration, purchased from a reputable
company should run you somewhere between $1-10, depending on
the extension and the amount of time you sign up for.
- Probably the most important aspect of your domain name
registration is the choice of keywords to use in your domain
name. Try to use the main keyword or phrase you'd like to
optimize the whole site for, and see if you can craft a
domain name around it. The search engines seem to favor
keyword-rich domain names. Nuff said.
- Keep it short if possible. A shorter name is easier to
remember than a long one.
- Don't use your company name unless it has your keywords
in it. There's no point in ranking high for your name if no
one is looking for it yet.
- Try to keep your domain name registration topically
relevant. As search engines get smarter and smarter, sites
that display total relevance will rank higher than catch-all
sites.
Lastly, be sure to avoid other companies' trademarks and
copyrights in your domain name. For example, let's say
you're an affiliate of The Sharper Image. It's tempting to
use some version of that name to promote your affiliate
site, but don't do it - unless of course you'd like to meet
their lawyers!
To sum up, your domain name registration is easy to do, but
important to do well. It can make the difference in whether you
get found or not!