How to Choose a Domain Name

The shortest domain name has been purchased by Google for Chinese users: g.cn. Most single-digit and single-letter domain names have been reserved by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority which is the Internet’s aster arbiter when it comes to addresses and domain names. However, Nissan managed to acquire Z.com and PayPal owns X.com. Another one-letter domain existing is Qwest’s Q.com. A few years ago, it has been proposed that IANA should auction off the one-letter domain names it has reserved but so far there has been no action on it.

Let Nashville Website Design help you in getting your domain name registered. You have to remember a few things when you are choosing your domain name.

1. Extensions of Domain Names
Webmasters and website owners have to choose not only the best domain name, but have to decide the extension for the website. Listed below are website extensions and what they mean.
.com – commercial (this is the most popular extension of domain names)
.org – organization
.edu – educational institution
.net – network host (hosting companies

If your website’s primary focus is a local market, you may want to choose a local domain name. There are extensions that are country-specific like “.co.uk” for the United Kingdom, “com.au” for Australia. A country specific search engine will show the country’s domain names first. An example is google.com.au which will list domains containing com.au in the first page of its search results.

2. Unique and Different
Choose a domain name that is unique and easy to remember that will be different from competitors offering similar products or from other domain names that may have a negative impact on your site. An example is plentyoffishes for an aquarium site and plentyoffish for a dating site. Your efforts for your online business marketing will not be very effective if your target clients are confused with your domain name.

3. Keyword Rich Domain
A keyword-rich domain you like maybe worth purchasing if it has been locked in by another. Keywords in a domain name often ranks high for specific phrases or keywords. Domains with keywords in them are good choices for websites for specific content. Nashville Internet Marketing can help in strategizing for your keyword rich domain name.

4. Spacing in Domain Names
If you are choosing between a hyphenated domain like plenty-of-fishes.com or plentyoffishes.com, just register the two names if it is possible. Domain names are not very expensive and it is worth blocking the nearly similar domain. Hyphenated domains are harder for customers and browsers to remember although search engines are able to distinguish keywords in them much better.

5. Shorter Domain Names
Shorter domain names are naturally better than very long names. An ideal domain name should be eight to ten characters, but so many domain names have already been registered. A domain name that is easy to remember and related to the content in the shortest combination possible is your best choice. Visit Nashville Web Design for other tips in choosing your domain name.