#2. Choose a Name

Okay, you have chosen the style of website you want, and now you must choose a name. We like to do this step second after we have found out all about you and your idea in the first step. Choosing a domain name (website name) is more than just making something up. Google, Bing, Twitter, etc. are all names that could potentially be for any business. But, due to longevity in the marketplace and large budgets, we know what they do even though their name does not suggest it. You can create any name you like also, but remember, the less relevancy your name has to your business, the larger your budget and online marketing efforts need to be to teach people who you are.
First you need to make a list of your keywords. These keywords are words potential customers would use in an online search if they were trying to find your business.

 

Here is an example:

Don lives in West Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with his wife Anna. He is a jewelry designer and he designs very expensive pieces of jewelry and works primarily with silver and precious stones.  

Some of his keywords would include:
precious stones
florida jeweler
jewelry maker
florida precious stone jewelry maker
silver smith
silver jewelry maker
florida silver smith

Now if Don has a loyal following, people might search online for him specifically from the start.

 

These keywords could be:

Don west palm beach jewelry
Don Florida Jeweler
Don florida silver smith
etc.

 

Okay, now we will try a few domain names that might work.

Donsjewelry.com
Donspreciousjewelry.com
Donssilverwork.com
Donssilverjewelry.com
Floridajeweler.com
Preciousstonejewelry.com
Floridaprecioussonejeweler.com
Donsbeautifuljewelry.com
Floridajewelrystore.com
DonandannasJewelry.com
Fuggleduck.com

 

Now that we have thrown out a few names, which ones are the best? Names that contain Don’s keywords are of course the best. But, remember too long is also not good. Donsprecioussilverfloiridajewelrystore.com contains lots of keywords, but is way too long and hard to remember. Fuggleduck is easliy remembered, but has nothing to do with his business. Either name could ultimately work, but each would need lots of publicity to make the name memorable. So, what we are looking for, is something in between.
How about Donspreciousjewelry.com? This is easily remembered and also has a nice flow to it. This name is also a common phrase that someone might say while talking about Dons shop.”I sure love Dons precious jewelry he makes”. Names like this flow easily, have keywords and relate to Dons business specifically. Now, once again, any name can potentially work as long as you are prepared to promote it. Just try and avoid overly long names. The example we gave above is pushing that “too long” limit.

Also remember that 1000′s of Domain names are being claimed everyday. So…DON’T WAIT….If you do, your choice may be gone for good if someone else gets it. At only $10.00 per year, why wait? Even if you are not completely ready for a website now, GET YOUR NAME NOW!!!