Domain Name Information

Domain Name Registration - Key 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 registration can set you up for success with your new site in so many ways, the most prominent of these being increased search engine traffic. Here's some vital elements to consider when executing your domain name registration.

A good domain name registration, particularly for an online business, (which is the main focus of this article) 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 have you domain name registration with your web host. The reason being 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!

Keith Thompson is the webmaster at Domain Name Registration Today where you will find the latest news and information on domains.


MORE RESOURCES:

UberGizmo (blog)

Fact Check: UK Registrar World's Largest New Domain Name Supplier?
Domain Name Wire (blog)
It may come as a surprise that a relatively unknown domain name registrar topped Go Daddy by such a large margin. I think we should run this one through ...
Canon set to buy .canon domain nameV3.co.uk
UK Company Confirmed as World's Largest New Domain Name SupplierPR Newswire (press release)
Canon aims to register the .canon domain. Will others follow suit?Downloadsquad (blog)
AkihabaraNews (blog) -Geek.com
all 34 news articles »


Law Enforcement Push for Stricter Domain Name Rules
PC World
Now it is "ridiculously easy" to register a domain name under false details, said Paul Hoare, senior manager and head of e-crime operations for the UK's ...
Is Verification Of Identity Going To Become A Requirement To Own A Domain?TheDomains.com (blog)
Proof of identity now required for .ru domain registrationsLexology (registration)
ICANN again proposes .xxx for all Porn SitesLatest Gadgets (blog)
ZDNet UK
all 36 news articles »


Domain names: Will sex still sell?
Independent
In a Manhattan auction room this morning what was once the internet's most valuable domain name goes under the hammer. Potential bidders won't be allowed in ...

and more »


Oneindia

25 years of .com domain names
San Francisco Chronicle
In 1985, only six entities registered a .com, one of six top-level domain names created a year earlier in a reorganization of the early Internet's naming ...
'Dot Com' Internet Domain Name Turns 25RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
First .Com Domain Name Turns 25-Years-OldErictric
Dotcom Turns 25Techtree.com
SeekBroadband -AFP -Softpedia
all 198 news articles »


Com Domain Name Celebrates 25th Birthday
Web Hosting and Domain Name News (blog)
The first domain name ever registered was Symbolics.com. This historic event took place on March 15 1985. The domain was registered by a computer firm ...
The dotcom's dream runExpress Buzz

all 8 news articles »


TopNews United States

Microsoft argues VirnetX patents are invalid
Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
VirnetX's '180 patent expressly describes its technology as using "secure domain names" for establishing VPN connections between computers. ...
Microsoft Will Appeal VirnetX Ruling, $105.7M JudgmenteWeek
VirnetX is awarded $106 million in patent infringement suit against MicrosoftLos Angeles Times (blog)

all 313 news articles »


New York Daily News

three businessmen quick to jump on city domain names
New York Daily News
They don't own mansions and skyscrapers; they control domain names. Cahill, a firefighter, bought Statenisland.com for $30000 seven years ago. ...
Larry Fischer and Leland Hardy Featured in New York Daily News ArticleElliot's Blog (blog)

all 6 news articles »


Domain Invest Adds 400 Domain Names to Health Portfolio
TMC Net
Domain names bear a lot of significance in Web site marketing. From a search engine optimization or “SEO” perspective, a domain name ...
Domain Invest has Acquired More than 400 “Health” Domain NamesPR Web (press release)

all 4 news articles »


New agreement on Internet domain name administration signed
7thSpace Interactive (press release)
The signing of the above documentation is the outcome of a review on Internet domain names administration in Hong Kong in 2007. The review has brought about ...
Domain name administration pact signedNews.gov.hk

all 2 news articles »


Shoosmiths legal updates

One-letter '.co.uk' domain names on the way
NetworkWorld.com
Domain names comprising just one or two letters will be made available in the UK from June, Nominet has revealed. ...
New micro domains - a risk to your brand?Shoosmiths legal updates

all 7 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006