This week, a new client identified and registered a name for her new website. It’s a fun and creative project activity because it is the start of a successful brand name that can last for decades for an entrepreneur.
Each time the naming process starts though, the sinking feeling that all the good domain names that end in .com are long gone. But within minutes of a quick domain name search, you discover how easy it is to still find and register a domain name for about $15/year.
In her case, she was seeking a domain name for a parent website that will host membership solutions for different niches that people are passionate about. The domain name PassionateSolutions.com was the perfect fit and it was available for only a few dollars.
A website represents a journey and every journey deserves a name
When you think of a journey, consider Teddy Roosevelt’s dangerous but successful exploration of the unchartered Amazonian forest of Brazil along the Rio da Duvida (the River of Doubt). To this day, the river is known as Rio Roosevelt.
Former President Roosevelt is seated at the right side of this photo from the expedition (source: wikipedia):
Your journey deserves a name as well and your website should be a reflection of that journey.
Your web address is comparable to a physical mailing address. It’s an officially registered address that requires extra paperwork and expense to change ownership.
So choose wisely.
For domain registration, GoDaddy.com is straightforward. They are the largest domain registrant in the world and their registration process is seamless with clear invoice billing.
Note: Upon domain registration (with GoDaddy or any registrant), you may want to add Private Registration at checkout so that you are not spammed through the public Whois database. It’s a lot of peace of mind for an extra $8/year.
10 Tips for Website Names
Here are 10 tips to help you decide on a good web address name (if you do not already have one registered):
1. Consider using your personal name (e.g. http://brentpeterson.me) if you are not certain what your web journey will be about or if you want the focus to be on your life or career. Your personal name also gives you the most flexibility if your platform changes. However, it ties the online business directly to your identity (making a transition to someone else, like a family member or another entrepreneur, very difficult).
2. Consider using a name that defines your journey (e.g. ClutterFreeRevolution.com). This approach limits the theme of your journey, but it is favorable to web search engines if your web address contains keywords (e.g. clutter free). A website based on a theme name (in contract to a personal name) also passes the “t-shirt test”. In other words, would people want to display the name and tagline of your site on a t-shirt? Not likely if it is a personal name.
3. If possible, end your theme web address name with “.com”. While there are several other extensions available (e.g. .net, .org), users assume “.com” (e.g. http://NotchDolphinBook.com) when using a browser.
4. Make the web address easy to remember and easy to say. One of my previous blog names was Stand & Inspire (http://standandinspire.com) which I discovered to be difficult to say in conversation because the first two words rhyme.
5. Avoid the words “for” and “to” in your web address, since these two words can easily be interpreted by the numbers “4” and “2” and people will not necessarily know how to spell your domain name if they heard about it through word of mouth.
6. Avoid a hyphen (“-“) in the web address. It’s not great for search engines and is also difficult to communicate to people in conversation outside the web.
7. Check to see if your domain name is also available on prominent social networks (e.g. Twitter, Instagram). If so, register the social media names for free at the same time.
8. Keep the domain name relatively short so it is easy for people to type into browsers. Ideally, the domain name is 20 characters or less (e.g. ChildhoodLoss.com).
9. Combine two (or up to three) words that are easy to spell, pronounce, and are distinctive together. For example, Darcy Eikenberg is an executive coach who helps professionals bring their superpowers to work. Her business and website name is appropriately named RedCapeRevolution.com.
10. When in doubt, ask friends and family for their input when naming your journey. It’s a great conversation starter and people will take an immediate interest in your new website and business because…
Other Graceful Resources to Grow Your Email List and Business
- Recommended Website and Email Resources (along with the reasons why)
- Lead Magnet Project (an interactive online project launching June 2017)
- Lead Magnet Examples (email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
- Lead Magnet Guide (5 essential characteristics of a lead magnet)
- Lead Magnet Survey (share your own opinion and discover what other entrepreneurs recommend)
Cheering for your online success – one project step at a time!
Brent