How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Business
Tony Messer
● Low Cost Domains● Superfast Hosting● Reseller Hosting● SSD Hosting● SSL Certificates● VPS
● Web Design● Web Marketing● Social Media● Local Business
www.pickaweb.co.uk www.maximalocal.co.uk
Getting Started
● Domains are cheap● Easy, quick to register● No paperwork● Make it a priority● Which one is best for you?● Let’s find out...
Your Domain - Your Internet Real Estate
● Your Internet ‘Real Estate’● Your property● Register for up to 10 years
Doesn’t Need To Be Same as Business Name
● Common misconception● E.g. Eddie’s Barber Shop Ltd● Could register…● Eddiesbarbers, Eddiethebarber, Eddiesbarbershop
Eddiethebarbershop, EddieshairandbeardsEddiesgentsgrooming, etc..
● Don’t feel limited by Company Name
Which Domain Extension is best?
● Extension = suffix, e.g. .co.uk, .com, etc..● Personal preference, but…● As a minimum get the .co.uk & .com (if UK based)● Other Considerations
○ Localization○ Organization○ Industry
Localization, Organzation & Industry Domains
● Localization - country level - .co.uk, .es, .fr● Some cities available e.g. .london● Organization - e.g. .org, .org.uk - not for profit
○ Avoid buying because .com not available● Industry - e.g. .bike, .photography
Should You Register Domains for SEO?
● SEO = Search Engine Optimization● Using Keywords in Domain for better SEO● Example - Eddie’s Barber Shop
○ BestmenshairdresserLondon.com or○ Eddiesbarbershop.com
● Which version do you prefer?● Less spammy option e.g.
○ EddiesBarberLondon.com or EddiesHairLondon.com
Should You Include Hyphen in Domain?
● May be tempted to use hyphen “-” in domain if preferred domain taken
● E.g. if eddiesbarbershop.com taken but eddies-barbershop.com is available
● Easy to misplace or omit the hyphen● Try to avoid use of hyphens if possible
Copyrights & Trademarks
● Be careful not to infringe Copyrights & Trademarks● If unsure - take legal advice● In general, be sensible - avoid legal issues
Domain Squatting
● Domain/Cyber Squatting does happen● People register e.g. the .com version of your .co.uk domain● Domain ‘held ransom’ for higher price● Easy to avoid - buy the main extensions (.com, .co.uk)● Set up domain redirection (domain parking)
Domain Redirection
● Useful if you have several domains with different extensions● Redirect e.g. .com, .london & .uk domains to .co.uk site● Called ‘Domain Parking’● Really easy - set up in cPanel - 5 second job
What about Misspelling Alternatives?
● Should you register possible misspellings?● E.g. Optimization or Optimisation?● Over-hyped● Easy to avoid if domain well chosen
What is the best length of a domain name?
● Max 63 Characters● Longer = hard to remember● Avoid temptation to ‘stuff’ keywords in● Overall shorter domains easier to remember
Can I hide my personal details with my domain?
● Whois Search shows domain ownership● Can hide personal details● Top Level Domains like .com, .net - extra cost● UK domains - free for personally registered domains● UK domains - no whois privacy for businesses
Buying a Domain Name
● Check is available - pickaweb.co.uk● Choose number of years● Enter your personal or business details● Whois Privacy● Purchase● Receive email confirmation - no paperwork
Renewing a Domain Name
● Periodic notifications by email - 90, 60, 30, 10 days before expiry
● Just follow instructions● Login to Client Area● Choose up to 10 year renewal
What Happens If Domain Expires● Most domains can be renewed even if they expire, but…● Be Quick● Normally 30 days after expiry● UK domains - no extra fee - just renew● TLDs (.com, .net, etc.)
○ 30 day Grace Period - no fee○ After Grace Period - 40 day Redemption Period○ Redemption Period = Extra $$○ If not redeemed re-issued on first come, first served basis
Wrap Up
● Domains are Internet Real Estate● Always register .com to prevent squatting● Avoid keyword stuffing● Avoid hyphens, long domains or hard to spell domains● Keep them short & sweet!● Don’t infringe copyrights/Trademarks● Use Domain Parking for re-directs● Whois Privacy● Renew early to avoid downtime or late fees (.com)
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