Any great website starts first with a great domain name! The domain name you choose for your site can play an important role in you website's success, so take some time and read these helpful tips before commiting to your new domain name. Consider the following to help you along ...

Domain names may be up to 63 characters and may contain letters, numbers and dashes. Add in the dozens of top level and international domain extensions available, and the possibilites are endless. Even so, many find it hard to come up with a viable domain name since so many of the good ones are already taken.

Short, Descriptive, and Memorable

Keep your domain name as short and to the point as possible. Your visitors are more likely to remember your name and avoid typos with a domain like BuyCatFood.com, vs. ComeAndBuySomeKittyChowNow.com! However, avoid names that are a jumble of incoherent letters just for the sake of brevity, such as QJPTGVS.com.

.com, .org, .net, .biz ...

With the ever growing array of domain extensions to choose from, which is the best for you? By far, the .com domain extension is still the most widely recognized and memorable extension, and should be used for any online business whenever possible. The .net and .biz extensions are also popular, and can be used effectively. For non-profit and charity organizations, the .org extension is most appropriate.

Hyphenated Names?

To hyphenate or not to hyphenate? Search engines may find it easier to identify site keywords from a hyphenated domain name, and therefore a keyword rich hyphenated domain name may give you some SEO advantages. But remember, these advantages come with the downside of decreased user friendliness. A hyphenated name is easier to mistype and harder to promote verbally. (Just try to say aloud "Hey come check out my site at Buy-Some-Kitty-Food.com!")

Test Your Name Before Buying

Make a list of prospective names and try them out on your friends before buying. Which are the most memorable, are the easiest to type without errors, and describe your site well? Can your friends spell it easily? Can you say it aloud easily?

Buy More Than One?

So you've finally found a great name! To protect your brand you may wish to register alternative versions of your domain name and prevent others from taking them. Consider also registering .net, .org and .biz versions, as well as pluralized and misspelled versions. Point these additional domains to your main site so your users can find you even if they make typos and extension mistakes!

Don't Spend Too Much!

Top domain names have been sold for obscene amounts of money. But an expensive name doesn't guarantee success. Be creative and you'll be sure to find a memorable, user friendly name available. Last but not least, use our coupons and save some cash on your domain name purchases!