3 Important Things for a Domain Name
A domain name is the name people type into an Internet browser to bring up your company or individual website. Although choosing a domain name may seem simple enough, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting your domain to improve your chances of people finding your website.
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Make It Easy
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A domain name should be something that is easy to type and easy to remember. Domain names that are simple in nature will bring more traffic than domain names that individuals have to Google to find. Use easy-to-type letters and avoid the use of "q", "z", "x", "c" and "p" if at all possible. Remember that word-of-mouth may how individuals find your website, so spell the doman just like it sounds. For example, if your company name is Cake Bakery, your domain should be spelled that way, not "KakeBakerie."
Avoid Hyphens
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The use of a hyphen can confuse people trying to find your site, especially if they do not have a business card or address written down in front of them. A hyphen can make the difference between customers finding your site and another site as well. For example www.cake-bakery.com may bring up different results than www.cakebakery.com.
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Selecting a Domain Extension
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The domain extension is the ".com", ".org" or ".net" at the end of a domain address. Though a .com is the most common type of extension and what most customers will automatically type in, you should first consider your business audience before selecting your extension. Most non-profit organizations or charities will use an ".org" extension, while a ".net" extension is used for sites that are already taken with a ".com" extension. If possible, it is best to try to get a ".com" extension.
Remember Your Brand
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When creating a domain name, always remember your company purpose and brand. Customers should hear a domain name and either instantly understand what your company does or recognize the company name from the domain. For example, CareerBuilder.com obviously is a site for careers, Weather.com is a site to find out the local weather and AutoTrader.com is a site where you can search for automobiles for sale.
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References
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