Got a Small Business? Choose the Right Domain Name.

Written by Blake Kritzberg


Continued from page 1

- BRANDABLE: ADVANTAGES

The brandable domain is great for business cards. In fact, it's nearly compulsory if you're planning on offline marketing. In other words, if you're printing up stationary at Kinkos, you want a brandable domain name.

If you're also a marketing genius, this is a fit challenge for your talents. Finding a memorable, apt domain to brand your business is something no software-driven suggestion tool can do.

Most "hybrid" domains -- ones that are really crosses between keywords and brandable names -- are long gone. But if you create a unique idea for your brand, you can probably snagrepparttar dot-com name for yourself. Now all you have to do is burn that brand ontorepparttar 118776 world's collective forehead. If you do, you'll benefit from type-in traffic. That means that if someone hears about you, they can probably find you just buy typing in your domain.

- BRANDABLE: DISADVANTAGES

The brandable name requires solid marketing skill, research and luck. Your name should be so catchy, it's almost viral. It should also convey your actual business – or you'll have to work hard (often meaning, spend money) to associaterepparttar 118777 two. Your name should be "tested" on coworkers, cousins and dishwasher repairmen to ensure it has no undesirable connotations. Finally, your name should be available as a domain, and not suffer from competitors with similar domains. Sometimes, pulling all this off is difficult.

- KEYWORD: ADVANTAGES

By keyword names, we're not talking aboutrepparttar 118778 glorious generic keywords –repparttar 118779 one-keyword kings such as drugs.com or business.com. No, we're talking keyword names you can afford.

This is where you buyrepparttar 118780 domain name www.cheap-purple-widgets.com in hopes of getting a top search ranking for cheap purple widgets.

Advantages are many. First, more keyword names are available. (They're ugly, and many people feel an aversion to hyphens.) Also, they do help you place higher inrepparttar 118781 search engines. It's true that search engines only give you a little credit for having a keyword in your domain, but "a little credit" counts.

Second, keyword domains leave no doubt inrepparttar 118782 searcher's mind about what you're selling. If you decided to call your widget business "Ableeza," a searcher might not get at a glance what it is you're selling, even if your rank is high.

Finally, if you can get people to link to you, those links will be valuable. No matter how Webmaster Joe describes you,repparttar 118783 link part will always say, "cheap-purple-widgets." This is a powerful search engine strategy for moving higher.

- KEYWORD: DISADVANTAGES

You won't get type-in traffic for a keyword name. You can't really explain it across a phone. It won't look pretty on a business card, and it's almost impossible to pair up with a cute logo. But if search engine traffic is going to drive your business,repparttar 118784 keyword name is worth a long, hard look.

- WRAP-UP

Regardless of which type you choose, don't play guessing games. If you go with a keyword name, use a search tool (like http://conversion.7search.com/scripts/advertisertools/keywordsuggestion.aspx) to determine what keyword phrases people are searching on.

If you choose a brandable name instead, test it out on a variety of real people first. Pay attention to their reactions. Reserve your domain early, since brandable domains go fast unless they're very unique.

Inrepparttar 118785 long run, both types of domains can work for you, especially if offline marketing is an option and you have a knack for branding. Overall, though,repparttar 118786 keyword domain is probablyrepparttar 118787 easiest path to success forrepparttar 118788 small-business owner.

Blake Kritzberg is a web designer and small business owner. Find more on domain selection, buying and selling at http://www.buy-the-domain-name.com/


Before Spending Your Money-Visit Forums

Written by A. Raymond Randall, Jr.


Continued from page 1

Always readrepparttar guidelines before posting. Forums are not an advertisement for your site or newsletter. Usually, you may append a signature atrepparttar 118775 end of your post, but reviewrepparttar 118776 guidelines sorepparttar 118777 Administrator does not have to warn you about advertising.

Don't submit a thread before searchingrepparttar 118778 forum for an answer. If you don't find an answer, post a thread inrepparttar 118779 appropriate forum topic or heading. Senior forum members monitor posts while contributing their expertise on a wide range of topics.

Purchasing software? Ask if someone is using it, or a competitor's. Having trouble with AdSense scripts? Ask for a fix or a resource. Want some constructive webs site reviews, stick your neck out in a forum discussion. What about a home project? My daughter wants a bench with shelves in her closet. I found a home project forum where suggestions came readily from craftsmen. Just remember to contribute and help others with their inquiries. From advertising to zany script writing, forums may become your first resource.

Here's a short list of my favorites:

Your Membership Exchange http://www.your-membership.com/issues03/ex853.html

High Rankings http://www.highrankings.com/forum/

Best Practices Search Engine Forums http://www.ihelpyouservices.com/forums/

What You Need to Know About http://about-inc.com

Find a more complete list at http:/ inyurl.com/2bz9w

It seems to me thatrepparttar 118780 best forums are powered by vBulletin. This may not mean too much, butrepparttar 118781 format makes entry and search effortless, and often these appear asrepparttar 118782 most active discussions.

If you're willing to share your favorite forums, email me .

Ray Randall serves clients as a registered investment advisor with his firm, Ethos Advisory Services, Essex, Massachusetts http://www.ethosadvisory.com . He has wide experience within the financial services industry, writes a weekly newsletter for Ethos Advisory Services, and coordinates the developments at Echievements . You may email him or call (877-895-3756).


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