Today, domain name registration is incredibly easy and inexpensive. You don’t even need a web site to register a domain name. The hardest part is finding a domain name that is not already in use.  Unfortunately, many single words and common names are already taken. But with a little creatively you will come up with domain name that you like – So register it right away!

8 Quick Tips to Choosing a Domain Name

Your domain name is the heart of your virtual identity. So what type of things should you take into consideration when choosing the name that will represent you on the Web?

1. Keep it short and sweet
Although many places allow you to register a name with up to 63 characters, keep in mind that people need to be able to easily remember it. Try to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your website.

2. Dot What?
There are several different domain extensions available right now. For businesses, we recommend .com. It is the first and most common extension that most people try when searching for a website.

3. Avoid Trademarked Names
There are two really good reasons for this. First, it’s not very nice to steal. Remember that companies, like yours, have spent lots of time and money creating their brand, and what goes around comes around. Also, companies are no longer opening their pocketbooks to get their names back. They are calling their lawyers.

4. Hurry and Register Your Domain NOW
Domain names are being snatched up faster than candy at on Halloween. You must register soon unless you want to get stuck with last resorts. You do not have to have a web developer on hand or an ecommerce department or a web design consultant or… heck, you don’t even need a web page! Just get out there and register before you lose the opportunity to get the name you really want to develop.

5. One May Not Be Enough
Sometimes, it isn’t a bad idea to register several similar domain names. If you have “yourname.com”, register “yourname.net” so no one else takes it. You can register your full company name and a shorter, easier to remember version. Some people even register common misspellings of their company’s name. (You don’t need a separate Web page for each. Several domains can point to the same website.)

6. Character Types
Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and dashes. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Also, domain names are not case sensitive.

7. Ask Around
When you have settled on several available name choices, see what your friends and clients have to say. A name that may make perfect sense to you may be too hard for other people to remember. Is your domain easy to say? Is it hard to spell? Do you have to explain why you chose the name?