If you want a website, you have to have a domain name – that is where it all starts! Sometimes the domain is purchased from a domain broker (someone who specializes in reselling domain names).  Most of the time, however, it will be registered through a domain registrar such as GoDaddy.com or NameCheap. No matter where it is purchased,  your domain name (or names) for your website should be carefully considered. The first step of the marketing for product or service will be the domain name that you register.

There are four basic steps to follow to ensure you have a ‘good’ name for your site. When choosing and registering a domain name for a new website, follow these steps and you’ll have an increased success with your domain / website every time! Site back in your favorite chair (maybe on a wireless laptop or tablet on your patio perhaps?) and follow these 4 simple steps!

 Step #1:  Choose a name.

Choosing a name may be as easy as “your business name dot com” or it may be more difficult (especially if you have a common name for your business). In all cases, your business’ name should be your number one pick for your domain name. If your business name is difficult to spell easily, try to register misspellings of it as well.

Many people like to brand themselves so they get their name. For example, I registered my name, PaulTaubman.com, although I have not put content on that site yet.

If you have a product of service, you might want to get that as well. Since I help people with their WordPress Sites, I have WPSiteHelp.com.

 

Step #2: Make a list of words or short phrases…

Make a list of words or short phrases that have something to do with your business. Six to ten of these are good to start. Once you have the list, remove all of the ones that have more than twenty characters in them (this keeps them short). Then create new additions to your list by replacing empty spaces with “-” and “_” characters. Finally, compress the spaced words into one word. Now that you have this list, prioritize it by numbering the entries from 1 to 10.

 

Step #3: Check for domain availability.

Go to any domain registrar (again, I use s GoDaddy.com or NameCheap) and enter the domains in the order they are numbered on your list. Cross out any names on your list that aren’t available. Once you’re finished, you should have a short list of available, good domains for your business.

Stick with the domain names that are .com (dot com) – these are still the standard that people think of when they type in a website name. You can still be successful with a .net, .org, .biz, etc., but people will always think of the .com. Here in the USA, people think of (800) as the area code for free phone numbers. In fact, the following are also free calls – 888, 877, 866, 855,  and 844,

 

Step #4: Register your domain.

Domain registrars are all over the Web with varying prices and services. A good registrar is worth any extra money that may be spent since a registrar going out of business could easily cause headaches and nightmares for you. One thing that every registrar is doing these days is hitting you with an upsell. When you purchase a domain name, they will ask if you want hosting, or register for multiple years, they will ask you if you want email accounts with your domain name, and if you want privacy guard.

If you have hosting with another company, none of this is necessary except maybe the privacy guard. I like to use that so spammers and other folks cannot see my personal information when they go looking to see who owns a domain name.

With these 4 easy steps, you should be off and running getting your domain name registered within a short time. If you have any questions, just leave a comment below and I will be sure to answer it.