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Daniel Kehrer

Guide to Choosing the Right Domain Name

As domain chaos looms, business owners face complex choices

By Daniel Kehrer, Editor, Business.com & Work.com

Welcome to the "new" Internet where something odd has occurred: While registering a domain name is super simple, deciding which one to get and what "extension" to hang it on is more complicated than ever. When you select a domain name for your business, you must also choose an extension – the portion of the name that comes after the "dot," like .com, .net or .org. These extensions are called "top level domains" or TLDs, and they've been proliferating like mosquitoes in a swamp. Newer TLDs include .jobs, .coop, .name, .aero, .mobi, .geo and .tel, among others. Of course, the "original" .com is great for most businesses, but the best names on that extension are long gone. One of the newer TLDs of interest is .pro, for professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants and engineers. The .pro extension is available in two flavors: "profession-specific," such as patent.law.pro and "generic" such as patent.pro where the "middle name" (here "law") is left out. Here's a rundown of some key TLDs:
  1. .aero – air transport industry
  2. .biz – for business use
  3. .com – commercial organizations, but unrestricted
  4. .coop – cooperatives
  5. .info – for informational sites, but unrestricted
  6. .jobs – employment-related sites
  7. .mobi – sites catering to mobile devices
  8. .name – families and individuals
  9. .net – unrestricted
  10. .org – unrestricted
  11. .pro – for specified professions
  12. .travel – travel-related sites
  13. .post – postal services
  14. .geo – geographically-related sites
  15. .us – for U.S.-based entities
Business.com's "What Works for Business" blog is a great way to keep up with the latest web solutions, trends and strategies for small and medium business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Enter your desired domain and see what happens

Be prepared to search many different names before you find one that's available.
I recommend: Network Solutions and Register.com are two of the biggest domain registration services. At either site, you can easily search for domain names in a variety of TLDs by simply entering your desired name in the search box. Results will show in which, if any, of the TLDs your name is available.

Get your domains at a discount

For great pricing, GoDaddy is great - consider this site if you are registering multiple domains or have a tight budget.
I recommend: GoDaddy.com is hugely popular among entrepreneurs in part because of its rock-bottom pricing.

Look like a real pro

The .pro domain is a little more complicated to figure out, but offers benefits for certain types of professionals.
I recommend: EnCirca.com registers .pro and other domains. See their list of supported extensions.

Discover how domain names work

Grasping how the system works can help you decide what type of domain to get for your business.
I recommend: Internic.net has a non-technical explanation of the domain name system, and a directory of registration companies. There's also a good FAQ on domain names and extensions.

Want something more memorable? Try a .tv address

It works exactly like a .com address, but allows you to brand you or your business using one of the most recognized two-letter symbols in the world - "TV." Many good names are still available on this domain extension.
I recommend: .TV Corporation sells names under that TLD.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • The profession-specific .pro extension is exclusive to licensed pros in law, engineering, accounting and medicine. Others being added include architects, financial planners, dentists, nurses, insurance agents, real estate brokers, veterinarians, psychologists, educators and others.
  • The .pro extensions cost more than most others, but are still a minor expense in the overall picture. Many professionals register both types - one for their corporate identity (such as aed.eng.pro) and one to boost their search engine rankings, such as advanced.pro. One of the first names to go was business.cpa.pro.
  • Dot-com remains king, but as business owners migrate to the newer TLDs, the distinctions may begin to disappear.
  • Remember that you aren't limited to one TLD. If you find a name you like, it's best to register it in multiple extensions in order to protect your brand.

The official source of Choosing the Right Domain Name is
the Domain Services page at Business.com

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Recommended Solution Providers

Network Solutions: Domain Registration
Offers a web site builder program in addition to domain registration services.

Cheap Domain.com: Domain Registration
Features url domain registration.

Yahoo.com: Domain Registration
Domain registration through Yahoo!

GoDaddy.com: Domain Registration
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Dotster: Domain Registration
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Register.com: Domain Registration
One of the oldest registration services.

dotTV: Domain Registration
Specializes in the ".tv" extension.

Encirca: Domain Service
Supplies general domain name registration services.

Best Sites to Learn More

Site Wizard: Selecting, Registering and Hosting
Article archive of topics related to choosing, registering and hosting domains.

NoLo.com: Copyright Issue Research
Resource about legal issues with links to related resources.

About.com: Online Business Hosting
Basics of registering a domain name with links to additional resources.

Domains Magazine: Selecting
List of articles based about picking the right domain name.

Domain Name Information
Articles about the usefulness and value of domain names.

Inc: Web-Site Starter Kit
Walks through domain names, web hosting, design, promotions, and utilities.

Best Blogs and Forums

The v7 Network Forum: Domain Name Discussion
Includes a forum specifically dedicated to domain names as well as other website issues

Namepros.com: Domain Name Forum
A forum dedicated to the business of domain names.



FEATURED LISTINGS
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Dotster has been trusted by businesses for over 10 years. Learn why Dotster is the right place to register your business Domain.
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Customizable templates with your own domain, including websites, widgets, newsletters, banners, flyers and more. Hosting Included. Get started Today!
wix.com
Qwest® Business
Your one-stop small business shop for phone, fiber-optic Internet, web site development, digital security and high-speed networking solutions.
www.qwest.com/smallbusiness
Achieve Easier Management and Less Overhead with Microsoft®
Improve productivity and extend IT resources using a selection of hosted communication and collaboration services. Try it Free for 30 Days!
Microsoft.com/online/trial-bpos.mspx
AT&T Enterprise Solutions
AT&T's Enterprise Application Hosting: Reliable, Cost Effective.
att.com/enterprise
Now Is A Great Time to Switch and Save
Get the Charter Business Bundle® and save over 40%* off standard monthly rates when you order Internet, Telephone and Cable TV.
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What WorksTM for Domain Names

Matt Alderton

Protecting a Business Name

 By Matt Alderton, Writer, Editor and Media Consultant, Logolepsy Custom Content and Communications
Register your intellectual property in order to keep it safe
Do your customers ask for your business by name? If so, you know that choosing a name is more complicated than selecting a catchy moniker. That's because a good name not only describes your business; it also sells it. Protect your business identity and steer clear of the pitfalls of name infringement, including: Loss of name recognition. Declining profits. Customer confusion. Read more

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