Choosing a Domain Name

There are many things you should consider when choosing a domain name. Here is a brief guide about domain names and how to choose one for your business. Firstly, lets explain exactly what a domain name is:

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is also referred to as URL or web addresses. Strictly speaking a domain name is everything in the address after “www.” and before the ending extension of “.com” or “.co.uk”. An example of a domain name is:
www.buildmeafabwebsite.co.uk or
www.yourcompany.com.

Note domain names aren’t really “bought”, you basically rent a domain for a short time. You can rent a .co.uk name for two years before renewal; some of the other domains such as .com are available for up to ten years, depending on various factors.

The “top level domain” or LTD, is the last part of the domain name – e.g. .com, .co.uk, .ca and so on. The top level domain that you’re allowed may depend on where you live – for example the “country” TLD’s such as .co.uk will only be issued to people or businesses in the UK.

You may decide to register your local top level domain as most people prefer to do business within their own country, especially if they’re buying goods. On the other hand, .com is the most well-known and if people aren’t sure of your TLD, .com is the one they’ll probably try first.

Why should you register a domain name?

You can get a website online without a registered domain name, for example eblogger allows unregistered domain names but there are many reasons you should buy a domain name:

• It is doesn’t cost much, .co.uk domain names can be purchased for as little as £4 a year
• It helps your company branding
• Indicates you are a serious about your internet presence
• Many search engines refuse to list pages from free domain names
• It adds a level of trust to your site
• You get a domain email address such as you@yourdomainaname.com which again instills confidence
• You can show your professional web address and linked email such as you@yourdomainaname.com on your business cards and letterhead
• Once a domain name has been registered, it is no longer available which avoids somebody else (perhaps your competitors) from registering the name you want.

Choosing a Domain Name

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a domain name:

• Make it different – consider trying to make it a little different, make it fun, make it stand out and be easily remembered.
• Make it simple – A simple domain name is easy for your customers to remember
• Think about your keywords, and try to include them if possible, unless your business name is easily recognisable and already includes a keyword.
• If you’re starting a new business, choose a name that best describes your products or services and site content.
• If you have an established business, you’ll want to try and get the same domain name as your company name if possible, it makes you look professional and increases company name recognition.
• Choose a domain that is easy to spell, consider using hyphens (dashes) between long words to make it more easily readable, they do not harm.
• Choose a domain name that is easy to pronounce and say
• Don’t choose a domain name that is too long
• Choose a unique doamin name and one that is not easily confused with another existing domain

Buying multiple domain names

You can buy multiple domain names if you like, as I have done. I have www.fabidesigns.co.uk as my company name and also www.buildmeafabwebsite.co.uk as this describes my business and I thought it was catchy and easily remembered

If you buy multiple domains this does not mean you have to run and maintain multiple sites, you can simply have one main domain name where your website files are, and simply point any other domains to your main site, so your customers are directed to your website whichever domain name they type into their browser.

Here are some reasons you may consider buying multiple domain names:

• to get your company name as well as a domain name thats querky, cool, unique, distinctive.
• to obtain similar names to avoid competitors confusing your customers
• to obtain misspellings of your domain name to keep competitors from taking advantage of misspellings
• to obtain names for future offerings (services or products)

If you would like to purchase a domain name, please use our web hosting and domain registration website – FABI Hosting where you can view our prices and purchase domain names and hosting quickly online. Alternatively you can contact Abi directly for a free no obligation quote on 0113 2797731 or via our contact form. You can also read more about FABI Designs Domain Name Registration Service here

You may also like to read:

• A Guide to Web Hosting
• How to Choose a Web Designer
• Local Web Hosting is Expensive – Move Away
• Shared versus Dedicated Web Hosting
• Ever Regret Your Domain Name Choice?

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