Step 1:  Brainstorm a list of possible names

You’d think this would be the easy part, and it is, but brainstorming isn’t all just off the top of your head.  Consider how you are going to market your site.

If you are going to work the search engine approach, you may want a domain that includes searchable key words so people will find your site by accident (bidonjewelry.com, winprizes.com, umbrellastore, for example).

On the other hand, if you are going to do a lot of branding to market your site, having a name that is catchy and memorable is more important (google.com, yahoo.com, squidoo.com, yelp.com, twitter.com, etc.).

Step 2:  Does the name pass the “is it” tests?

Is it…

1. short?
2. easy to spell?
3. easy to say?
4. easy to hear?
5. memorable?
6. specific?
7. free of other words within it’s spelling?  (mypenishuge.com used to sell pens)
8. plosive-heavy?  Plosives are sharp, blowing out sounds (b, d, f, g, k, p, t) and they improve #4 & 5, above.
9. too similar to (easy to confuse with) another domain name?
10. violating someone else’s trademark?

Step 2: Register the name

Once you’ve chosen a domain name, you’ll want to register it right away.  If you haven’t registered a domain before, take the time to talk to your web developer first, or ask them to register the name for you.  Getting things set up properly the first time around will save you headaches and costs down the road and most web developers only charge a few dollars to take care of this detail for you.  They’ll also be able to advise you on whether you need to consider alternate domains or TLDs (.com, .net, .org, .tv, etc.)  to support your marketing plan.

Whether you decide to buy your domain name yourself, or have your web developer purchase it on your behalf, do make sure it is registered in your personal or business name and with your email address in the ownership role.

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