Domain Name Selection

Having researched the availability of specific domain names for clients, I've decided to write this short e-newsletter article on domain name selection based on the process I follow. I've written this article largely as a guide to answering such questions as:

"What is the best type of domain name for my particular company?" and
"Should I buy the domain name now even before I decide on my company/website name?"

So, before you rush out and register a domain name you might want to consider the following:

Domain names are cheap to purchase. For a NZ name (e.g. .co.nz .org.nz .net.nz) the annual fee is around $35 plus GST. For an international name (e.g. .com .net .org) the annual fee is around $60 plus GST.
Select a domain name that is easy to remember and to spell. For example www.your1company.co.nz is all very well but you may be forever explaining that it is "1" not "one".
A good domain name is one that relates to your business name, brand, or product/service name (Consider multiple domain names - these can point to different pages of your website).
Select an appropriate name extension. If your target market is in New Zealand then select say ".co.nz". If your focus is offshore then an international extension such as ".com" may be more appropriate. Mind you, if you operate in several countries you may well wish to use local extensions.
Consider purchasing several domain names. They're cheap, it helps prevent crowding around the name (by competitors) and it's easy enough to have the names redirected to your main domain name (i.e. website). For example, I have registered the domain names www.optimumwebsites.co.nz and optimum-websites.co.nz.

In terms of the first question, I cannot answer it for you. In terms of the second question, why not? If you don't, someone else might. The cost is minimal, domain names are being grabbed day and night at a great rate of knots, you do not need a web page or even an e-mail address and if you change your mind, it has cost you very little. This way, the name is yours to use when and if you are ready.

Domain Name Selection

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