written by
Joe Uddeme
Right at the top of the to-do list for any new business is “launch with a great brand name”. You’ll also need a website domain name to match – which is where NameExperts.com Director Joe Uddeme can help. Find out how to choose and register a great URL for your business in this guide.
For more than 15 years, NameExperts.com has been helping brands buy premium domain names that will help them grow. The issue most new firms have today is that pretty much every great domain name they can think of has gone. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t available.
As well as advising fledgling companies on which great brand names to choose, we spend much of our time tracking down domain name owners and reaching out to them on behalf of our clients. It’s what domain brokers do – we’re your secret weapon when trying to get a great name owned by someone else (and not paying over the odds for it).
In this post, we’ve rounded up 10 of our best tips for anyone who wants to buy a domain name for their business. And if you get stuck, just reach out to us for some expert help.
Though it might be tempting to use options like .net, .edu, .biz or even things such as .shop, or .blog, it’s usually better to go with a .com domain name whenever possible. That’s mainly because everyone is familiar with .com. No matter how good the domain name you’ve landed, they won’t remember the all-important last bit (known as the top-level domain or TLD) if it’s something obscure.
Everyone will automatically assume your domain is a dot com – so you might as well give your customers what they are expecting.
Additionally, the .com name is worth more. Search engines cater to sites that give the user the best experience, and .com sites are seen as more credible to users and help establish brand authority.
If you’re just getting started with establishing your brand, choose something brandable. Think about something unique that your competition won’t have. A brandable name might mean that your name doesn’t mean anything at all, as is the case with Etsy or YouTube. You also want your domain to be easy to remember and easy to pronounce.
Something else you’ll want to consider is to not choose something that sounds shady or untrustworthy. The goal is to create something that can be developed over time, so choosing the right name is important.
If you’re trying to add keywords (terms people will tap into Google when searching for a business like yours) to your domain name, make sure you don’t go overboard. It’s better to have something short and simple that accurately represents your brand. We recommend keeping your domain under 15 characters and avoid using numbers – unless they are specifically a part of your brand.
Try to avoid weird or unique spellings of common words. If your name is Smyth and you want to include that in your brand, odds are that every single person will type Smith.
Alternatively, if you’re dead set on using your unique brand that might be a variation of a common word or name, you can work with us to buy the domains that include the common misspellings. That way, even if users type it in wrong, it will redirect to your website.
Another tip we would suggest is to avoid double letters or hyphens in your domain. It makes your domain much more complicated. For example, if your website is classset.com, you will probably lose traffic because of typos. Avoiding double or triple letters like this will keep it simple and easier to type and remember.
Additionally, always avoid hyphens. Hyphens are typically associated with spam websites, and you don’t want your business or blog to be tainted off the bat. Plus no one will remember the hyphen! If the reason you’re using a hyphen in your name is that a competitor has the domain you want, chances are you’ll be sending clients right to them. So, find a different and unique name.
If you’re having trouble, contact us. We love helping clients find the very best domain for their business – and at the right price, too.
Choosing a name related to the industry you’re in is a smart choice because you automatically give users an idea of what your website is about. However, you don’t want to limit yourself and not give your brand the opportunity to expand.
If you’re a baker, you might consider the name frostedcupcakes.com – but what if you wanted to include more than just cupcakes in your bakery? Your domain might dissuade users from exploring what other services you offer because they have a preconceived idea of what you do. Try to pick something flexible that can grow with you.
This is where an expert domain name broker can really add value. We research your domain to find out who owns it, and then we spend time finding out what the reputation of that domain is.
Why? Because sometimes even an “amazing” domain just isn’t worth it. If your desired name is tainted because it’s associated with spam or an inappropriate site, it might be worth looking at another domain name.
Keeping that in mind, you don’t want to choose an alternative name that’s too similar to the one you’ve just abandoned because of its bad reputation. You never want your name associated with anything untrustworthy.
Every day, new domains are registered globally. If you find a domain name you want, don’t wait too long! We’ve often described domain names as being similar to real estate. People all over are looking for good brandable names that they can register and then try to sell at better rates later.
If you don’t act fast (or consult an expert like us), someone else might go ahead and register your domain name before you do. That being said, not all domain names are worth as much as you might think (or their sellers would have you believe). So don’t just buy domain names just to have them – buy names you actually think you might use in the future.
If a name you want is in use, think laterally. Website copywriter Mike Peake, who sometimes helps out on the NameExperts website, had to do this when he tried to register mikepeake.com many years ago, only to discover it was already registered. Rather than choose a .co.uk TLD (he’s a Brit), he went with bymikepeake.com instead.
Typically when registering a domain name, you get to choose the registration period – usually a time span between 12-24 months. If you don’t renew your domain after that time, you will miss your window and it will become available to the public to buy.
Sometimes, if you fail to renew in the time allotted, brokers and other domain purchasing sites will buy your recently expired domain and then charge you an arm and a leg to get it back. Avoid all that nonsense by setting your payment to auto-renew! Nearly every registrar gives you the option, so better be safe than sorry.
Honestly – that’s what domain brokers are for! We are in the business of buying domains on your behalf, even if they are already taken. We have a tried and true process that really works.
Our service includes a pre-consultation phase, followed by a more detailed consultation and then in-depth research. After that, we contact the seller for you and negotiate the price. We take all the hassle out of the process and make sure your domain gets transferred to you.
What are the best domains to buy? It’s all down to you and what you want your brand to represent. But don’t panic if your dream name doesn’t appear to be available. We can work wonders with our ‘little black book’ and negotiation skills – or we can steer you in an exciting new direction if that’s a better route.
The goal in both cases is to help you secure the best domain name that works for you.
Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. Contact us at: [email protected]
Securing the perfect domain is crucial for setting your business apart—and that’s where domain name brokers come in. In this expert review, domain industry specialist Joe Uddeme highlights 10 of the best domain name brokerage services and explains their pros and cons.
Domain names are one of the foundations of every global brand – they’re your calling card online. In this post, domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains how they work and how to secure the right one for your business. You probably know more domain names than phone numbers these days. Think of all the news sites you know the address of – plus Amazon, Apple and all those big brands whose website URLs you can guess because nine times out of ten, it is their brand name + .com. While the world of domain names is easy and familiar at face value, behind the scenes, there’s a lot more going on. If you’re getting ready to buy a premium domain name – one costing in the thousands that will be memorable and potentially valuable for a business in the long term – you need to have a solid grasp of what you’re getting into. To stop you from confusing domain names with websites or even website hosting services, this post is a great place to start. Key Takeaways What is a domain name How does a domain name work How to choose the right name for your business Securing a name that will keep your business on track What Is A Domain Name? To put it simply, a domain name is the address of your website. It is the phrase or word that you will type into your URL bar of your browser to find your website. For example, our website is https://nameexperts.com/ You can purchase domain names through a domain registrar, through a hosting provider, or let a domain name broker help you. What is the DNS? You can’t really answer the question, “What is a domain name?” without addressing DNS. Domain names are part of a large network called the Domain Name System (DNS) and it is managed by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The ICANN is a non-profit organization responsible for management and maintenance of the DNS, as well as regulating domain registrars. How Does the DNS Work? When you type a domain name into your browser, your computer will check if you’ve previously looked at that domain. If not, then your browser will contact the local DNS server to pull it up. Your local DNS server breaks down the domain name into sections. We’ll use our name again as an example. There are three parts to nameexperts.com – www., nameexperts, and .com. The .com is known as a top level domain (TLD) and the local DNS server will search for this section first, and then serves to find all the details of your domain name and send that information back to the browser you’re using. There are obviously a lot more technical steps to it, but that’s the basics of how the DNS works. Let’s talk more about what you really need to know – what types of domain name extensions are available. Different Types of Domain Name Extensions All domain names are made up of a website name (nameexperts), and a top level domain (.com). Though the extensions can vary, we think it is useful to know the differences between the types of top-level domains available so that when it’s time to choose your domain name, you choose the right one. The two types we are going to talk about today are Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) and Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLDs). Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) Normally, the best course of action is to choose a reputable TLD like .com, .net, or .org. But because these are so popular, there are millions of domain names that have been registered to date. So the name you want might be taken (read our post: “How to buy a domain owned by someone else”) – or it may be hard to find a name that works. Here are some of the most generic TLDs: .com (commercial) .info (information) .org (organizational) .net (network) .biz (business) Sponsored Top-Level Domains (rTLDs) In addition to gTLDs, there are also some top level domains that are sponsored by organizations or agencies for very specific and often exclusive use. Here are some examples you’ll recognize: .gov (used by the US government) .edu (used by educational institutions) .int (used by international organizations) .mil (limited to US military entities only) Subdomains We thought we should also mention subdomains. A subdomain is also known as a third level domain and is an extra part of a domain name. They are viewed as separate websites by the search engines, so creating subdomains can help improve your site’s SEO. Specifically, a good time to use a subdomain is for a blog. It might look like https://blog.nameexperts.com. How To Choose The Right Domain Name Now that we’ve answered what is a domain name, we want to help you choose a strong domain name that accurately reflects your business. Ideally, you want to be easy for your target market to remember and be something that is timeless. Your domain name broker can help you find the perfect domain name and get you started with the process that goes along with it. Begin by doing some research on keywords that are relevant for your business. Whether it’s the name of your business or another keyword that relates to your business and you want to rank for it, this type of domain name will help improve your site’s SEO (search engine optimization). Another tip is to keep your domain short and memorable. You want it to stand out but be easy to remember – try to keep it to three words or less. You also want to make sure you avoid numbers and hyphens. People won’t remember where they go and they might mistype. Which leads us into another tip for choosing your domain name, make sure it is easy to spell. Shy away from words with multiple spelling variations or one that might be difficult to pronounce. Think long term. You want a domain name that supports the growth of your business and will last for years to come. Changing your domain name later can really hurt your business. Working With A Domain Name Broker – The Easy Solution Getting your domain name right is crucial for your business or organization. It can help define your brand and form a lasting impression on your audience. Do your research, and then if you’re serious about securing a seemingly unavailable name, reach out to a domain broker. We can help you buy and register a name – even if it belongs to someone else. We can also advise on strong alternative names for your business. NameExperts.com has a selection of highly commercial names available for sale at any time. At the time of writing, these included eight.com, proud.com, fate.com and nickel.com. About the author Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. Contact us at: [email protected]
It’s impossible to overstate the power of a great domain name for a business. Get it right, and an endless flow of online traffic could be yours, as domain name expert Joe Uddeme explains. The Internet evolves and is shaped by countless businesses, people, non-profits and an array of other entities looking for eyeballs in an ever-changing world. Buying a premium domain name is crucial in today’s clutter. Brands work hard to engrain their product or service in the public psyche and establish market positioning and relevance. Your domain name is part of the deal. Savvy brands understand the importance of creating something catchy and memorable. They need to separate themselves from their competition in ways that remain top-of-mind for their targeted audience. In this post, we’ll look at some of the reasons why companies large and small spend so much time and money acquiring a valuable premium name. And why you should, too. Key takeaways Proof that top brands have instantly recognizable domain names How a great domain name helps leverage your position in any marketplace Questions to ask when searching for a valuable premium domain name What’s in a name? Let’s start by looking at the top ten brands, according to Wikipedia: Rnk Company Rev($B) FY Employees Mkt. Cap Location Founded 1 Amazon $232.9 2018 647,500 $802.3 Seattle 1994 [1][2] 2 Alphabet Inc. $136.8 2018 98,771 $791.01 Mountain View, CA 1998 [3][4] 3 JD.com $55.7 2017 137,975 $34.84 Beijing 1998 [5][6] 4 Facebook $55.01 2018 25,105 $486.39 Menlo Park, CA 2004 [7][8] 5 Alibaba $39.90 2018 66,421 $432.12 Hangzhou 1999 [9][10] 6 Tencent $36.39 2017 44,796 $434.66 Shenzhen 1998 [11][12] 7 Netflix $15.8 2018 5,400 $153.39 Los Gatos, CA 1997 [13][14] 8 Booking $12.7 2017 22,900 $92.94 Norwalk, CT 1996 [15] 9 Baidu $12.40 2016 45,887 $88.11 Beijing 2000 [16][17] 10 eBay $10.75 2018 14,000 $32.07 San Jose 1995 [18][19] Each of these companies went out and acquired their core premium domain name – no matter what the cost. They also understood the value of having .com as their global brand. Let’s dig a bit deeper into the strategy of one of the major power-houses listed above. Facebook.com also owns many other valuable pieces of digital, beach-front real estate. Take for example, FB.com which complements the existing digital strategy that was already in place. Facebook has parlayed their web presence by building another piece of digital real estate alongside their own majestic piece of real estate. Another example is Booking.com, with more than $12 billion in revenues. They do a phenomenal job of attracting users with constant ad-driven messaging. They have partnerships with more than 660,000 hotels and provide a valuable service to their clientele. Why Premium Domains? Let’s continue with the beach-front real estate analogy. For the past thirty years, brands have been swallowing up the short, brandable .com domains. These are the assets that provide the most upside, equity and long-term value to the brands. These assets can hold generic value, such as Booking.com, or be more brandable, such as ebay.com or Baidu – to name a few. Premium domain names have commercial appeal and are typically very memorable. Brands spend huge amounts of money attracting new users and creating brand credibility. Digital strategists – including speculators who buy and sell domains for profit – are competing for a smaller piece of the available premium domain name inventory. Having a great domain name is only half the battle. Success lies in how you develop the brand and create long-term equity for your company. For this reason, companies should always acquire the shortest variation for their brand (Tesla, for example, spent an undisclosed amount on tesla.com so they no longer had to be teslamotors.com). This doesn’t have to be the only strategy. Companies should outline a comprehensive domain name strategy that not only covers their brand but any additional reputation management/brand defense needed to protect their corporate brand positioning. Simply put, premium domain names come with the following instant upside: Brand-dominance and positioning Equity toward a long-term exit strategy Inability to build against – a defensive strategy against your competition Own the real estate before your competitors do! Most successful brands have identified the importance of the premium domain name. They have dedicated digital strategists or digital departments to handle the larger need for digital integration and social media components. Brands should spend wisely and methodically when securing a new brand or piece of beach-front digital real estate. Get it right the first time with help from a broker Domain name brokerage services like NameExperts help businesses with their domain strategy and are in high demand. Whether or not they work with us, we always advise companies to use the following checklist to make sure they are not leaving money on the table: Conduct Research—who owns the asset and for how long have they had it? Is it being used? Are there active trademarks? What’s the history of the link profile? Variations and Alternatives—brands need to nail it. To do this, sometimes, they need to think outside the box. Find viable alternative assets that define your image and brand. Negotiation is key—do you negotiate for a living? We do. We remove the emotional attachment and red tape to manage both buyers’ and sellers’ expectations. Be Flexible—sometimes you have to give a little to get a little. Don’t be afraid to be flexible and offer ways to benefit the other party in your transaction. Be Honest—honesty and integrity go a long way. Be true to your word and don’t go back on what you say. This is critical for deals to succeed. Ask Questions—hold your broker or expert accountable and ask appropriate questions. Some domain transactions move quickly. A clear line of communication is necessary to save valuable money and time. Due Diligence—dig for more information and market comparisons: it’s all firepower necessary to make the case. Timing—don’t hunt for a CBD-themed/Marijuana-type name when there is mass decriminalization and legalization occurring. The market is just too hot, and pricing will be inflated. Instead, names should be selected “ahead-of-the-curve”. Don’t fall at the first hurdle When buying a premium domain name, it’s important to ask the right questions – it can save the buyer tons of money in the long-run. A common issue relates to trademarks tied to a name/brand. Many companies secure a domain name for commercial use but never take the time to search the trademark database. This quick search can save clients thousands of dollars. Premium domain names make total sense for any emerging brand looking to scale their brand – and shortening the global domain name is still the foundation for successful growth. The top companies around the world continue to focus on the universally popular .com for brand growth. This validates the need for a superb, premium domain name for your company and brand. Get it right the first time and save money in the long run – while adding credibility and equity value while you’re doing it. About the author Joe Uddeme is Director and Principal of Name Experts, one of the world’s leading domain name brokerage services. He has overseen domain name sales and acquisitions totaling more than $150 million and is renowned worldwide as a go-to expert in buying and selling premium domains. Contact us at: [email protected]
Name Experts offers personalized domain brokerage services, assisting clients in buying or selling premium domain names with expert appraisal, negotiation, and complete transaction management while ensuring confidentiality.
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