2. Your domain name should be directly related to your offer or information available at your website.

For example, www.webmastercourse.com is directly related to web design training. In monitoring our website statistics, I've noticed that we have many visitors each month who arrive at our website by simply typing in domain name instead of arriving through search engines, other links, etc. Of course, this was not so at start. But, as visitors began coming, they began memorizing domain name and repeating their visits in this fashion.

3. If possible, use a generic name that people might would type in without ever hearing about you.

For example, www.webdesign.com is very generic, and I'm sure many people simply type this name in to see what's available in web design field.

Other "very" generic names I can think of are:

www.soap.com www.cars.com www.boats.com www.computers.com www.calculators.com www.food.com www.pencils.com www.skiing.com etc....

Although many of most popular generic names are reserved, it would be wise to search for most generic name possible in your field that's easy to remember.

The three above tips will help you choose a domain name that will tremendously increase your repeat visitor rate. A website must first be designed, and then built upon a solid visitor flow. A simple, easy-to-remember domain name is a great start to reaching your goal!

Jeanne of Devine-Designs has experienced her fair share of what I like to call scrupulous behavior. When she started Expat-Moms, she began it on a free web host server (like geocities, tripod, and like). Her reasoning was simple... test waters and see how successful business was before going all out, financially.

Once her cold feet turned warm, she went to purchase domain name http://expatmoms.com, but to her surprise, someone had bought it out from under her! Now, site sits unused, while her new domain with hyphen is doing extremely well.

Jeanne isn't only one this has happened to. "Harvesters" often snatch up domain names in hopes of re-selling them at a higher, if not outrageous price!

How do they know which domain names are going to be viable? Simple. They go to free web host servers, find business name chosen, then purchase domain name in hopes that owner will one day get so big that he or she goes looking for that domain name. Others simply go to a keyword program, like Overture and purchase domain names using top keywords.

TIPS:

Pick your company wisely. Try to find a company that sends out reminder notices. If company you use doesn't and you are happy with where you are at, please mark your calendars every year! I have a monthly bills to be paid sheet, and I list my domain names, web host, and other business related expenses as a monthly expense. That way, I know every month what is due out door, when.

If you must insist on using a free web host server, take precaution of ordering your domain name and have it redirected to your free web host server, for under $30 per year!