Your domain name identifies
you online like your own name
does in the real world. Without
domain names, it would be
difficult to navigate the
internet. We would have to
remember numbers such as
127.003.45.2 to reach a specific
website. This number represents
an IP address (internet protocol
address) assigned to a server or
a computer. The selection of a
domain name is an important
decision. Your domain is
essentially your address online.
Domain extensions such as
.com, or .org are a critical
part of your domain name. The
gold standard is .com. It is the
default website extension if the
actual extension is unknown.
Years ago, the extension did not
play as important a role as it
does today. It was more
important to make sure your
business name was part of your
domain name. Today you should
always use a .com extension
whenever possible. Choose .net
as a secondary option, or try
.org if you run a non-profit.
Localized domain
extensions are available that
specify your location. It never
hurts to have multiple domains
pointing to your website, such
as mywebsite.com and
mywebsite.us. When directing
multiple domains at one website,
it is good practice to specify a
canonical URL so your web
developer can point search
engines to the desired base or
default URL for your website.
Keep domain names simple, so
they can easily be remembered.
Studies show that domain names
with less than eight characters
are optimal, but that may be
difficult for some businesses.
It is a guide to keep in mind
when selecting a domain name or
names for your website.
Keep track of your domain names
and the expiry date. Renew
domain names before they expire
to avoid headaches. You don't
want to jump through hoops to
get your website back online.
Consider buying domain names
that match your current domain.
For example, if you own
mywebsite.com, you may want to
purchase mywebsite.net, along
with mywebsite.us, if they are
available.
The proper
domain not only helps you drive
business to your website, but it
also helps with brand
recognition offline.
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