Domain Registration Tips : How to Get A Good Domain Name

Domain names have become the most important marketing tool online. Your domain name is more than just your URL or web address. It in itself is a first impression tool, stating what your site is all about. It’s like your business name online. Frankly, I think everybody’s making a big deal out of this - for a good reason.  Your domain is almost equivalent to your identity in your online presence. It’s like giving out your name on your first day in school. It will stick all throughout your cyber existence. 

Many web entrepreneurs are even hell bent on getting the "perfect" domain name for their business. Many have spent six-figures (even seven) for just one domain, believing that the particular domain will grant them awesome powers of financial success.

But hold your horses ladies and gents. What exactly is the perfect domain name? Or even a good domain name for that matter? Will this domain name conjure some cyber vacuum and lure all traffic to that site? Or will this domain have the power of Midas’ Touch, turn everything to gold and make the owner the richest person alive? I need help here because I think it is quite "unrealistic" for me to spend 5 million dollars on something I can’t even hold or touch. 

Nevertheless, the knowledged people of the web have spoken. I am but a student, a mere interpreter of the modern scribes of cyber philosophies. The tenets say Google rules all and search engines are king. Now I know why.

Here are a few tips I’ve learned while browsing the hundreds (hyperbole) of sites that give out tips on how to register a good domain name.  

TIP # 1 : Keep it short and memorable. 

Visitors easily remember short and catchy domain names such as "travelguide.ph". Not only does this elicit good name recall but it also tells the visitor what the site is about. People will actually remember and type that into their browser for next time. Make sure to pick a domain that you can easily relay over the phone or can be easily remembered when someone hears it over the radio.

TIP # 2 : Keywords in your domain can do your site wonders.

Use keywords that describe your business. Instead of your brand name or company name, you could also use keywords for your domain name. This could land you better search engine results. A domain "travelcebu.ph" would fare better in search engines than "santosagency.com".

TIP # 3 : Avoid trademarks and copyrights of other companies.

Do not register domains that could get you into legal trouble. Most companies nowadays are sensitive and keen in protecting their brand names and would pursue legal action to cyber squatters.

TIP # 4 : Be particular with spelling.

Domain names often come without spaces so pay attention to the resulting "package" of your domain. AthletesExchange can look like athletesexchange.com.ph which can raise the eyebrows of your visitors and could be detrimental to your business.

TIP # 5 : Register multiple versions of your domain. 

Companies usually register different domain variations related to your company name. Most register many domain extensions (.com, .net, .org, .ph, .com.ph)  possible to protect them from cybersquatting.  

TIP # 6 : Target your market with utmost precision.

The domain name extension you register makes a statement to your visitors about where you are and who you are aiming to attract. For example, .com.ph tells people you are catering to the Philippine market.

TIP # 7 : The rise of ccTLDs. 

A country coded top level domain has its advantages over its .com contemporaries. Google, for example, indexes better sites with ccTLDs. Registering good ccTLD domain names is a smart way in achieving search engine success.

TIP # 8 : Register the right domain for you.

And since it is highly probable that the domain name you want to register in .com is already taken, you’re next best bet would be registering to the ccTLD of your target market where there are still a lot of available domains.