When I set out to purchase a new domain name for a client, I recommend always buying the dotcom (.com). My criteria:
- All people have to do is type the domain name (e.g. heavenr) and press “CTRL” and “Enter” at the same time. The browsers — all of them that I know about — automatically autofill the www. and .com (e.g. “heavenr” becomes www.heavenr.com)
- There’s never a chance for cybersquatting — I’ve already got the one commodity they thrive on
- The alternative top-level domains (TLD) — i.e. .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .cc (or .tt, or .any other country) — are not the first things people think about when they try to find me
- Porn sites almost always use .com because they know they’ll get my traffic first when people forget to use the appropriate alternative TLDs (again, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .cc, etc.)
I don’t worry about people making typographical errors — as long as I have the .com TLD, they’ll see their mistake right away.
If the company name URL is already taken, I think about the other keywords. It’s likely that at least one of them will be available. If my credibility is good and the site gives visitors what they need, they’ll remember the domain even if it’s not the “trademarked” identity. Even alternative spellings will work if my credibility is good and the site gives visitors what they need.
I always buy from Network Solutions. Their telephone support is fabulous. If I have a problem, they’ll solve it for me. I’ve struggled with other registrars who … just don’t care.
If I really want to protect my domain investment, I buy the .net and .org as well. Then I point them all to the same web server. Although they also sell web hosting, Network Solutions will gladly point the domains to the DNS servers (e.g. ns1.ispname.com, etc.) that my ISP gives me.
I buy the privacy protection. That way, whois will tell people I’m are the domain owner but will point to Network Solutions as the contact. I have heard of instances where domains were “stolen” simply by providing the whois information to registrars who didn’t care enough to double check with the real owner. Plus, I won’t be spammed when the spiders glean my whois page.
I learned the hard way about registering .com domains and when I lost it, had to loop back. Fortunately, when the domain expired the next year, the owner didn’t renew it and I got another chance at it. Again, Network Solutions support was great — they walked me through the whole reservation process and the re-registration.
Tags: Internet, Technology, Writing
