How to Choose a Domain Name (tips to buy and register the best domains)

How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Business

Tony Messer

● Low Cost Domains● Superfast Hosting● Reseller Hosting● SSD Hosting● SSL Certificates● VPS

● Web Design● Web Marketing● Social Media● Local Business

www.pickaweb.co.uk www.maximalocal.co.uk

Getting Started

● Domains are cheap● Easy, quick to register● No paperwork● Make it a priority● Which one is best for you?● Let’s find out...

Your Domain - Your Internet Real Estate

● Your Internet ‘Real Estate’● Your property● Register for up to 10 years

Doesn’t Need To Be Same as Business Name

● Common misconception● E.g. Eddie’s Barber Shop Ltd● Could register…● Eddiesbarbers, Eddiethebarber, Eddiesbarbershop

Eddiethebarbershop, EddieshairandbeardsEddiesgentsgrooming, etc..

● Don’t feel limited by Company Name

Which Domain Extension is best?

● Extension = suffix, e.g. .co.uk, .com, etc..● Personal preference, but…● As a minimum get the .co.uk & .com (if UK based)● Other Considerations

○ Localization○ Organization○ Industry

Localization, Organzation & Industry Domains

● Localization - country level - .co.uk, .es, .fr● Some cities available e.g. .london● Organization - e.g. .org, .org.uk - not for profit

○ Avoid buying because .com not available● Industry - e.g. .bike, .photography

Should You Register Domains for SEO?

● SEO = Search Engine Optimization● Using Keywords in Domain for better SEO● Example - Eddie’s Barber Shop

○ BestmenshairdresserLondon.com or○ Eddiesbarbershop.com

● Which version do you prefer?● Less spammy option e.g.

○ EddiesBarberLondon.com or EddiesHairLondon.com

Should You Include Hyphen in Domain?

● May be tempted to use hyphen “-” in domain if preferred domain taken

● E.g. if eddiesbarbershop.com taken but eddies-barbershop.com is available

● Easy to misplace or omit the hyphen● Try to avoid use of hyphens if possible

Copyrights & Trademarks

● Be careful not to infringe Copyrights & Trademarks● If unsure - take legal advice● In general, be sensible - avoid legal issues

Domain Squatting

● Domain/Cyber Squatting does happen● People register e.g. the .com version of your .co.uk domain● Domain ‘held ransom’ for higher price● Easy to avoid - buy the main extensions (.com, .co.uk)● Set up domain redirection (domain parking)

Domain Redirection

● Useful if you have several domains with different extensions● Redirect e.g. .com, .london & .uk domains to .co.uk site● Called ‘Domain Parking’● Really easy - set up in cPanel - 5 second job

What about Misspelling Alternatives?

● Should you register possible misspellings?● E.g. Optimization or Optimisation?● Over-hyped● Easy to avoid if domain well chosen

What is the best length of a domain name?

● Max 63 Characters● Longer = hard to remember● Avoid temptation to ‘stuff’ keywords in● Overall shorter domains easier to remember

Can I hide my personal details with my domain?

● Whois Search shows domain ownership● Can hide personal details● Top Level Domains like .com, .net - extra cost● UK domains - free for personally registered domains● UK domains - no whois privacy for businesses

Buying a Domain Name

● Check is available - pickaweb.co.uk● Choose number of years● Enter your personal or business details● Whois Privacy● Purchase● Receive email confirmation - no paperwork

Renewing a Domain Name

● Periodic notifications by email - 90, 60, 30, 10 days before expiry

● Just follow instructions● Login to Client Area● Choose up to 10 year renewal

What Happens If Domain Expires● Most domains can be renewed even if they expire, but…● Be Quick● Normally 30 days after expiry● UK domains - no extra fee - just renew● TLDs (.com, .net, etc.)

○ 30 day Grace Period - no fee○ After Grace Period - 40 day Redemption Period○ Redemption Period = Extra $$○ If not redeemed re-issued on first come, first served basis

Wrap Up

● Domains are Internet Real Estate● Always register .com to prevent squatting● Avoid keyword stuffing● Avoid hyphens, long domains or hard to spell domains● Keep them short & sweet!● Don’t infringe copyrights/Trademarks● Use Domain Parking for re-directs● Whois Privacy● Renew early to avoid downtime or late fees (.com)

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