What's In A Name: Do You Need A Domain Name?

In today's marketplace, being on the internet is a must. It provides your clients fast and easy access to you, and you to your clients. But how do you represent your business through your use of the internet? So many small business operators send e-mails that brand them as the user of one internet provider or another. You've seen it - username@internetprovider. What may be worse is an address through what I call a freemail service (Hotmail, Yahoo!, etc.) What does that say about your business and how serious you are about it?

One way to project a more professional image is to register a domain name and use it for your e-mail address, even if you do not have a Web site. It says you take your business seriously. It is not hard to do, nor is it expensive.

How should you choose a domain name? Whatever you choose, you want it to be memorable, easy to use and unique. Here are some strategies to consider:

Try using - The most logical choice is your business name or a variation on it. (Use abbreviations cautiously.) If it is taken or unworkable, consider basing it on a business slogan (like IKEA's unboring.com), a descriptive adjective (qualityservice.com) or product name (superwidget.com). If you operate under your own name, you may be in luck, but ask yourself - and others - how easy your name is to spell.
Avoid - a dash or underscore unless it is part of your business name. They are hard to say when you tell someone your address. Abbreviations make it hard for people to guess your domain - and they will if they cannot find your business card right away!
Keep it - short as possible. Long domain names are hard to fit on a business card and are more prone to typing errors.
Be careful - of similar domains. For example, if you are choosing a .ca domain, find out where the .com equivalent takes you. Think about similar spelling or plurals, too. You don't want to accidentally send clients to a competitor with a similar name - or worse, an "unsavoury" site!

Choose wisely, but choose. Show your clients you care about your business. If you do, they will too. What's in a name? Lots!

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		Graphic Design and Small Business Marketing
	What's In A Name: Do You Need A Domain Name? In today's marketplace, being on the internet is a must. It provides your clients fast and easy access to you, and you to your clients. But how do you represent your business through your use of the internet? So many small business operators send e-mails that brand them as the user of one internet provider or another. You've seen it - username@internetprovider. What may be worse is an address through what I call a freemail service (Hotmail, Yahoo!, etc.) What does that say about your business and how serious you are about it? One way to project a more professional image is to register a domain name and use it for your e-mail address, even if you do not have a Web site. It says you take your business seriously. It is not hard to do, nor is it expensive. How should you choose a domain name? Whatever you choose, you want it to be memorable, easy to use and unique. Here are some strategies to consider: Try using - The most logical choice is your business name or a variation on it. (Use abbreviations cautiously.) If it is taken or unworkable, consider basing it on a business slogan (like IKEA's unboring.com), a descriptive adjective (qualityservice.com) or product name (superwidget.com). If you operate under your own name, you may be in luck, but ask yourself - and others - how easy your name is to spell. Avoid - a dash or underscore unless it is part of your business name. They are hard to say when you tell someone your address. Abbreviations make it hard for people to guess your domain - and they will if they cannot find your business card right away! Keep it - short as possible. Long domain names are hard to fit on a business card and are more prone to typing errors. Be careful - of similar domains. For example, if you are choosing a .ca domain, find out where the .com equivalent takes you. Think about similar spelling or plurals, too. You don't want to accidentally send clients to a competitor with a similar name - or worse, an "unsavoury" site! Choose wisely, but choose. Show your clients you care about your business. If you do, they will too. What's in a name? Lots! top	Our privacy policy Back to Articles page

Graphic Design and Small Business Marketing

What's In A Name: Do You Need A Domain Name?

Graphic Design and
Small Business Marketing