One of the first things you must accomplish in your mission for online success is pick and register a domain name. Though it all sounds like a simple process, this is one step you can’t afford to take lightly. You would be surprised at the number of registrants who got it all wrong and ended up regretting their decision. In order to keep from landing in this unfortunate category, you need to make it a priority to avoid the following mistakes when registering your domain name.
Difficult to Remember – The worst thing you can do is choose a domain name that is difficult for potential visitors to remember. “CKPFK” might be the initials of your business and “The Web’s Most Comprehensive API’s” could be your slogan. However, trying to implement either into your domain will likely make it impossible to remember for most of your visitors. For this reason, you want to pick something that is very memorable and easy for visitors to enter into their browsers.
Too Long – Technically, your domain name can be up to 67 characters in length. Still, it should be nowhere near this long. A good domain name is no longer than about 10 characters. Shorter is better in this case as it makes your name easier to remember and less susceptible to mistakes when visitors go to type it in.
Irrelevant – Sure, your ideal domain name sounds cool, but how relevant is it? The name should be relevant to what you intend to do online and somehow coincide with the content on your website. “ToyKing” may be a catchy and memorable domain name, but if your business involves selling computer hardware, it definitely isn’t relative.
Double Meanings – Combing words in your domain name may seem like a clever move on your part, but it could also lead to some confusion. This is why you just might want to think twice so you don’t create double meanings that have visitors wondering what you’re really into.
Wrong TLD - If your business is located in the United States or you plan to target a global audience with your website, it is best to pick a .com for your Top Level Domain or TLD. While they make viable alternatives, .net, .biz and .org are often perceived as less professional than their .com counterpart. On the other hand, if you plan to target an audience in a country such as Australia or the United Kingdom, you may want to consider using a extension such as .au or .uk opposed to .com. This will make it easier for visitors to recognize that your website is local.
Trademark Conflicts – When choosing a domain name, it is imperative that you make sure it is free of legal conflicts and isn’t tied to trademarks of other businesses. The best way to avoid this is to do your research steer clear of anyone else’s name and trademark.
Choosing a domain name can be a lengthy process, but the pitfalls can be easily avoided when you’re aware. Following these tips will go a long way in making sure you choose a name that holds its weight in gold.
January 1st, 2010 at 1:30 am
What does it mean to ‘register’ a domain name?When you register a domain name, you are inserting an entry into a directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers on the Internet. How do I register a domain name? Domain names ending with .biz, .com, .info, .net, and .org can be registered through many different companies (known as ‘registrars’) that compete with one another.The registrar you choose will ask you to provide various contact and technical information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then keep a record of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the ‘Registry.’ It provides other computers on the Internet with the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site.You will also be required to enter into a registration contract with the registrar; it sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained.How can I find out information about my domain and who is in control of it?Information about who is responsible for domain names is publicly available, to allow resolutions of technical problems and to permit enforcement of consumer protection. The registrar will make this information available to the public on a ‘Whois’ site. It is, however, possible to register a domain in the name of a third party or to use a third party for technical and/or administrative contacts. This can be advantageous for renewals and management of the domain, but the registrant (you) still own and have complete authority over the domain name.The administrative contact has management rights over the domain. How long does a registration last? Each registrar has the flexibility to offer initial and renewal registrations in one-year increments, with a total registration period limit of ten years.How much does a domain name registration cost? Each registrar sets the price it charges for registering names, and prices vary significantly among different registrars.I have seen advertisements for domain registration by companies not in the accredited registrar directory. Are these legitimate?Only registrars accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) are authorized to register domain names. Some of these accredited registrars offer their services through resellers, which provides assistance in completing the registration process, managing the domain name, and assisting with domain renewals.