I saw an article on the Fox Small Business website entitled, “4 Smart Tips For Choosing a Good Domain Name,” and before I read it, I was expecting the worse. It seems that more often than not, mainstream articles about buying domain names give advice that I wouldn’t give and frequently cringe when reading. In the case of this article written by Chad Brooks, I think there is some good advice given by the author.
To boil the advice down, the author makes these four recommendations:
- Correct spelling
- Short
- Unique
- Be willing to pay a premium
When it comes to domain names, I am obviously biased, but I think the fourth piece of advice is the best, and it’s the most difficult piece of advice to give someone else. Previously registered domain names can be expensive. Some can be more expensive than a car or home. Recommending that a small business owner pony up for a domain name is tough, especially with a semi-poor economy and unemployment rate that isn’t good. However, paying a premium is necessary to get a good domain name.
Ultimately, I think the most important thing is that the business have a good business plan that will work for the owner. Some might say that with a good business plan, the domain name doesn’t matter all that much. While there is some merit to that, I think a great domain name is something that can set one business apart from another business. Unless a company has a totally unique product or service, they are going to need to differentiate.
In my opinion, a company can either spend a lot of money on ongoing marketing and branding advertising, or they can spend some of that money on a domain name, and the authority and “recognition” that comes with an exceptional domain name will pay off in spades. Even if the business doesn’t work out, that domain name can be sold to someone else.
In my opinion, an good and relevant domain name is a valuable asset to a business.
Glad you liked it Elliot. I felt like I could have listed another dozen tips for that article – so hard to distill advice like that without going super specific.
As you can imagine, in the positions I’ve held over the years I see a lot of domain name registrations scroll by on my monitors and I spend a lot of time shaking my head. I’m always pleased to see someone grab something that fits, whether at retail or in the aftermarket.
if you come up with a world changing idea people will be willing to learn whatever stupid ass domain name you choose to use. if you’re just doing business on the internet… a short clear relevant dotcom domain name is a no brainer. jmo other opinions may differ.
Most small businesses and even developers don’t consider domain names as an asset which brings authority and recognition for their business. For many it is like buying a trashcan for the break room. If someone sends you an email saying I have a better trashcan and you can buy it for $25,000 how do you think they are going to respond? I get quite a few responses of “we already have a domain” even when what I have to offer in my view is more authoritative.
I interpret the last point to mean: Only buy a .Com
If so, I agree with the author, but think it should also be emphasized to never try to use a gtld. Ever. Doing so, will make you look unprofessional and beg your visitors to misdirect hits.
Disagree Doug,if a business is country specific,and in that country a buyer is more likely to get a good match word or phase,for their business,they are better off.People can’t continually ram .com down peoples throats.Oh,and I’m not bashing .com’s as 70% or more,of my portfolio is .com.
Sorry Doug,I read your post wrong,you said gTLD,s I thought you said,for some reason,ccTLD’s,sorry.
Very good article… Whether it’s business, news or commentary, FOX is the best in the business.