MightyRecruiterThe Internet is an important part of a business’s life because it increases market and accessibility. You have to use the web appropriately if you want to see these benefits. To get started using the Internet for your business, you first have to choose a domain name. The domain name is the part of the web address between the “www.” and “.com.” Use the following 12 guidelines as you choose your company’s domain name:
1.Compare Names: As you’re naming your business, you want to make sure it is different than the name of the shop right down the street. When you pick a domain name, you have to compare business names on a more global level to reduce confusion and legal issues.
2.Make it Easy: As you are picking your domain and business name, you want it to be easy for your customers to recall, comprehend and pronounce. You can do this by including a service directly in your business name.
3.Make it Timeless: Avoid using anything too trendy in your name. Instead, try to create something that is timeless to help your business age a little better. If you do include something too trendy, your name will likely soon seem outdated.
4.Remember Business Name: As you make your domain name, you want to keep it as close to your business name as possible. This will make your company much easier to find online for your existing customers.
5.Use Service: Sometimes it is a good idea to use a service or product descriptor rather than the name of your company to help attract new customers. Use whatever you think will help attract a wider audience to your new website.
6.Create Two: If possible, you could create two different domain names. One that is similar to your business’s name, and another that is product- or service-related. This will help you attract customers both new and old.
7.Register the Domain: Domain names have to be registered through an accredited registration service. This ensure there won’t be any duplicate domains out there. Most of these services can easily be found online.
8.Keep it Simple: Think about mistakes your customers could make while typing the domain name. If it is really complex, it will probably be hard to find. Try to keep it as simple as you can.
9.Consider the Suffix: The letters at the end of your domain name—.com, .net, .edu, .gov or .org—are important to consider as well. The most commonly used suffix is “.com,” but it is suggested that non-profit companies use “.org” and companies involved with Internet infrastructure use “.net.”
10.Count Characters: Because you’re trying to keep your domain name simple, you don’t want it to get too long either. Keep it around 26 characters, including spaces, to ensure it is acceptable for most web browsers and email programs. Sometimes you can get away with a domain name that has 63 characters.
11.Leave Out Location: If possible, don’t include the city or state in which the business is currently located. Including the location limits your future options. If your business moves or tries to expand into new markets, you will have a much harder time if your domain name is “ChelseaNewYorkTaxis.”
12.Talk With Attorney: To make sure you don’t duplicate anyone’s name or infringe on a trademark, work with a business attorney. He or she will be able to help you name your business and pick out your domain name without possible legal issues.
Legal Disclaimer
The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.