IBM Computer, Laptops and Servers

Back Homepage Content Directory Resource Guide Blog

How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business Website

Laptop Battery A website's domain name (also know as a website address or URL) is an important consideration when developing your online presence. Choosing an appropriate domain name is the first step in the process of building online credibility. Remember to choose carefully because this online address may be where your business resides for the rest of its operating life. Now, some important tips to consider before choosing your domain name:

When you fire up your favorite web browser and type in the domain name of a website you want to view, the first thing that happens is that a request is sent to the server that is hosting that website. This server is found via the Domain Name Server (DNS) system, which associates the domain name (which we humans understand) and the address of the server that is hosting that website (which the computers understand). Once that request is received by the server, it looks at the files of the website to determine what happens next.

Thinkpad Choosing Your Domain Extension

ns20.websitesource. ns21.websitesource.net Step 3 Cancel your hosting account with your previous host (if you have one) once your domain name resolves to our servers. You can tell that your domain name is pointing to Website Source servers by doing a whois lookup. If Website Source name servers are shown at the bottom, your transfer has been completed and your domain name is pointing to our servers.

Microsoft A domain extension or top level domain is simply the suffix of your website address: (.com, .net, .org, .ca, etc.) Most Internet users are familiar with the ".com" extension, and will generally use this extension by default when typing an address into their browser. Choosing a ".com" extension should be your fist choice in case your potential customers forget that your address is "www.mybusiness.NET", and visit your competitor at "www.mybusiness.COM" by mistake. Choosing the ".com" extension gives your website the most credibility in the eyes of your customers.

This indicates the amount of disk space that will be available to you on the host's server to hold your website files. Domain Name The unique name that identifies an Internet site (www.yourdomain.com). Domain Name Server Domain Name Server (DNS) is the global system web browsers use to find websites. The DNS entry lists the IP address for every domain name. A website cannot be found unless its domain name is properly registered in the DNS system. When DNS is hosted, it indicates that the domain name is pointing to the correct website. When DNS is parked, it is considered a temporary spot to point the domain name until the finished website is ready.

Laptop Computers If your business only caters to the local community, then it makes sense to get a country specific domain name, such as the ".ca" extension. A country specific domain benefits you in two ways: both your customers and search engines such as Google will know that your website is registered to a Canadian and operates in Canada. Potential customers will feel more comfortable knowing that they are dealing with a Canadian company, and not a U.S. based business pretending to be a Canadian company. Also, search engines will give your website higher placement in the search results when a user is performing a Canadian specific search.

IP, you must specify the IP address that the FastLynx server is listening on. You can also specify the computer name or domain name of the server computer if the client computer knows that name. If the name is not known, you will see a Ìost not found error message, which means that the actual IP address must be supplied. If the server has changed the default port number (2689),

Laptop Computer I personally recommend that my clients, if possible, register both the ".com" AND ".ca" extension. This way, your Canadian based website will benefit from using the ".ca" extension, while at the same time ensuring that they reach your website if they accidentally type the ".com" extension into their browser.
Using Your Business Name
The first choice for any domain name would be your business' name. This ensures that your customers will remember your website's address. You can't expect your potential customers to remember a phrase that just relates to your business.

(800) 2165 (435) 3433 DNS (Domain Name Servers) DNS (Domain Name Servers) A Domain Name ServerM (DNS) keeps a database of domain names and their associated IP addresses. When a user searches for a domain name, the request must go through a Domain Name Server (DNS) to translate the domain name and obtain the corresponding IP address. This way the request can be routed to the correct server where the website resides.

Desktop Computer Choosing Choice Keywords

Notebooks Including specific keywords in your website's address will help your rankings in popular search engines such as Google or Yahoo. It is best to choose a keyword that you think your potential customers will use to search for your business. A search engine optimization (SEO) professional such as Cost Effective Design can assist you in choosing your keyword(s). These type of domain names are used in instances where the client does not want to use the business name because it is either already registered by another company, or the company name is simply too long. Any company that is serious about generating traffic through search engines should acquire a domain name with a keyword in addition to your business name.

Lenovo Don't Confuse Your Customers

Hard Drive If possible, try not to use domain names that include: "2" for "To" or "4" for "For" or "u" for "You". These may make your domain look "cool" or "hip", but in reality they are not very practical. These domain names create a problem when directing your clients to your website verbally or over the phone. For example, if you owned www.UsedCars4U.com, every time you verbally directed someone to your website, you would have to specify that the URL uses the actual number 4, and letter U.

Travelstar To Use, Or Not to Use Hyphens

Gateway Given that more and more businesses are registering domain names every day, getting the website address you want is becoming increasingly difficult. One or two word domain names are usually already registered, forcing new registrants to choose URLs containing three or four words. To some people, these URLs can look like a big mess of words. Using hyphens in between the words can make them visually more appealing. For example, "www.used-cars-for-you.com, looks better than "www.usedcarsforyou.com. The jury is still out on hyphenated domain names. The advantages are that they look better and search engines can easily distinguish the separate keywords for better search placements, but the disadvantages are that they are difficult to verbally communicate and type.
The best solution would be to register both the hyphenated, and the un-hyphenated version of the domain name to ensure that there is no confusion.

Laptop Parts Domain Name Length

Software Even though you are allowed to use 67 characters for a domain name, the general rule of thumb is: shorter is better. Although, in some instances, the website address may be more memorable if it is more descriptive. For example a domain consisting of initials only, such as "www.waa.com", may not create a lasting impression compared to the domain name "www.windsorautoassociation.com". Therefore, it is best to choose a name that, while short, contains enough description for your customers to easily remember.

Hard Drives Buying an Existing Domain Name

Electronics Maybe the domain name you really want is already registered, either by a legitimate company, or by a "domain squatter" who merely registered the name to sell for a profit at a later date. You can make an offer for these types of domains, although they make cost several hundred, or even thousands of dollars. There are advantages to purchasing an existing domain name. In addition to getting the domain you want, it may also rank highly in the search engines for certain keywords and / or generate topic specific traffic that you will benefit your business.

Catalogue: Internet Business | Domains
Title: How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business Website By: Paul coulter

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]

Share this:

Add To Yahoo MyWeb Add To Google Bookmarks Add To Furl Fav This With Technorati Add To Newsvine Add To Bloglines Add To Ask Add To Windows Live Add To Slashdot Stumble This Digg This Add To Del.icio.us Add To Reddit

More about:

Nov December 2008 Jan
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31      

IBM Computer, Laptops and Servers Blog on Technorati Related Blog of IBM Computer, Laptops and Servers on Sphere
Content Directory
Resource Guide


Kaspersky Lab Industry Leading Anti Virus Software

Website Links
IBM Computer, Laptops and Servers Copyright © 2008 www.ibmfans.com. All rights reserved. Site Map
Homepage | Blog | Advertise | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us | Links