Selecting and Creating Your Internet Presence Address - domain names
A troublesome thing that many organizations struggle with when undertaking the development of a new web presence is what domain names will they use? Today it is becoming more and more an issue of what domain name can you get. On average over 40K new domain names are being registered daily. While this seems like an amazing number, there are also about 20K domain names freeing up on a daily basis.* Combine this with the fact that ICANN (Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers) continues to introduce new domain name options (such as .aero for members of the aviation community, .coop reserved for cooperative businesses, and the traditional .org used by many nonprofit organizations, but not exclusively reserved for such groups) there is a good chance a first choice domain name may not be available but a suitable second choice domain name can be easily registered.
It is obvious that there are not 40k new web sites launched on a daily basis. This is because a domain can be "Parked" while the web site is being developed. Parking a domain name is a good practice for a number of reasons including:
- Web site launch marketing planning - provides the opportunity to prepare marketing and promotional materials to help publicize the launch of the web site
- Allows for a timed web site development schedule including planning, designing and building the site to insure a successful launch
- Allows time for proper budgeting
Many times organizations should pause at this point and consider the focus of the web site as well as future marketing strategies for the web site. It is critical the domain name work hand in hand with many things:
- Current Corporate Branding strategies
- Future web site and corporate marketing initiatives
- Promotion of the focus on the web site
The investigation for a domain name is relatively simple and fun. First, locate an organization that facilitates the registration of domain names with InterNic (http://www.internic.net) These organizations can be either an Accredited Registrar such as http://www.networksolutions.com or an organization working along side an Accredited Registrar.
Once a domain partner has been selected to work with go to their web site. Locate an area where domain names can be researched or registered. This should be a simple form where different domain names combinations can be entered until a suitable match is found. Combinations you ask? A domain name does not have to be only the name of the company or organization. Take a look at these creative domain names:
Creative domain names that draw some similarity to the Products the represent:
- olllllo.com
- If you are at all familiar with the Jeep Wrangler, than you may recognize what this domain signifies. This domain is a play on a visual element of a product making it easy to remember and easy to recognize in promotional materials.
- Netflix.com
- This site created a domain name that is totally focused on their product. Delivery of Movies or "FLIX" to your door ordered over the inter"NET".
Short but memorable domain names
If a web site is destined to be a new multi-purpose web site providing a number of different services and products, consider a unique new word or name.
Some recommendations to keep in mind when selecting a domain name:
- Consider using only one word or at most two single syllable words for your domain name
- Keep your domain name short and simple
- Be conscious of the domain name if the web site will be marketed in different languages and cultures
- Try to select a domain name that is easy to remember
- Select a domain name that is easy to spell
- Keep in mind the domain name will have to be given over the phone
- Be creative! - Just because the first choice domain name isn't available, use a little creative energy and create one that is better than the original selection!
