Your free advice/tip for the week:
How important is it to have a great name representing you or your business? Very. You don't want a dull name representing what you think or believe is your very exciting business. You don't want a name that is too long (thebluedognewyorkcityundergroundbasscitybluesband.com). Wow. That was a very long and very bad name.
And endings. Always try for a .com first. If .com is not available try in this order: .net - .us - .tv - .org - .info - etc..... If you are in a business that has something to do with TV, video, or film, you may want to try .tv if .com is not available. If you are doing something that is related to the United States or your business is in the U.S. OR if you are patriotic, you may want to try .us if .com is not available. If you are in Europe, a .euro would be a good 2nd choice. If your web site (domain name) is for mobile or PDA's (iphone, cell phone, etc...), than a .mobi would be a good 2nd choice.
One thing should remain in your head at all times; .com is the most recognized ending for domain names. So you really want to try for that ending first. And the other thing is really simple, do not settle for names with dahses - in them. Unless you are doing a "Cash Parking" arrangment with your domain name (go to "help section for explanationof "Cash Parking"), then you really want something without dashes. Why? People can't remember dahses too well when you see them outside, in the street, or in passing. Think of this. You run into a friend who has thirty seconds to say hello. So you say, "Hey, tell as many people you know that I finally got my web site up and the address is John-Smith-Guitars.com." Your friend replies back, "Great. So that's JohnSmithGuitars.com?" YOu say, "No there's a dash in between the words." Your friend replies, "OK. John-SMithGuitars.com?" "No there's two dahses," you say. The he asks if it's a dash that sits on the bottom of the line or the one in the middle. Trust me. I have seen, heard, and have been a part of some of the dumbest and silliest conversations in the world regarding web sites and domain names.
Keep it simple (Under fifteen characters is good). Keep it strong (make it your name or a name that implies or describes you). Try to stay with .com and do not use dashes. If you need help coming up with a domain name, try the "Smart Search" option here.
