When creating a website you first need to decide what you want your URL or domain name to be. A URL is the Internet address that you type in to get to a specific site. So, If you have a company called Beauty Shop, you would ultimately want the domain beautyshop.com. The problem is that so many domain names have already been taken — which means you might have to get a little creative. There are a few tips and tricks you need to be aware of when starting a new website and picking a new domain name. Follow our guidelines 5 Steps to Choosing a Domain For Your Website and get started.
1. Pick the right name
The best way to pick a name is to just use the name of your business. People instinctively type in the business name followed by .com and assume that is the website address. So if that domain name is available, that is your best bet. However, many times it is already taken and you may have to use a variation of that name or a different extension. Go to #3 to read more about alternatives.
2. Search Correctly
In order to find out if the domain you want is available you will have to search for it. One mistake people make is by searching on a domain registrar to see if it is available to then wait a while before they actually buy it. The problem with doing this is that your search results could then be sold and that domain could be purchased by someone who then attempts to sell it to you at a much higher cost. Instead, try visiting the actual domain and seeing what is on the homepage to determine if it is already in use or up for sale. If what you find leads you to believe that it’s available find it on a registrar and buy it up with-in a few hours of searching for it.
3. Consider Alternatives
If you can’t buy the domain you want there are a few things you can do. One option is to buy .net instead of .com. The problem with this is that most people may mistakenly type .com when trying to access your site since .net isn’t as common. Another thing you could do is to add a dash in between words or slightly change the wording. You just want to be careful not to change it too much or people will be confused and not be able to find your site.
4. Buy as soon as possible
When you finally decide on your domain name and see that it is available to purchase, buy it right away. URLs can be available one day and gone the next so you don’t want to wait around. If you have a few domains in mind and you aren’t sure which one you want to use, you could always buy multiple. The investment of $9.00 to $15.00 (per) for a couple quality domains is well worth it. Just keep in mind that the end goal is to focus on one domain.
5. Point to One Domain
If you do happen to buy multiple domains and have decided to keep them, make sure they all point to the same website. You can find out how to do this by asking your hosting provider. Only advertise your main domain because using multiple can become confusing to customers and isn’t advised.
Creating a new website can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Cimetta Design can make the process easier or even do all the work and design it for you. Contact us today for a free consultation. Visit us at Cimettadesign.com or call us at 954-680-4584.
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