Before you choose a business name

Choosing the right domain name is even more important that choosing your business name.
Why? Because those who know your business will look you up on the internet by your business name. But those who don’t will look up the product or service that you offer. So you have to be easy to find both ways.

How to choose a domain name:

1: Your domain name (website address) should contain your product or service.
That is how people look for your services. For example, when looking for a website design company, you wouldn’t type “ Andrea's solutions” you would type “webdesign”. So naturally, I chose www.adwebdesign.ca for my domain name.
Rule of thumb: Get in your cusotmer's shoes. How would they look for your services?

2. Your domain name should be identical with your business name.
Let’s say you are just starting your business, and it goes well. Really well. A few years from now you will have an established business and your brand name will be well known. At that point many people will look you up by your company name. We all know Sheridan Nurseries. That company name will come up if you type in “nurseries” as well as “Sheridan”.

3: People don’t remember long names
Long business names may help you to properly describe your services but are impossible to remember. In general domain names can be anywhere from 26 to 67 characters long, depending on your domain name registrar. It is recommended to stick to less than 20 characters. Just imagine typing “www.andreaswebsiteandgraphicdesignsolutions.ca”

4. Special Characters in domain name
Camel Case
Camel case is when you see two separate words written as one word with the inner word capitalized. e.g. FedEx. The advantage is that even though your domain name is registered in all lowercase, you can write it in camel case to differentiate the words.
Dashes
Search engines prefer dashes to camel case because it allows them to separate the words in the domain name. But they are getting better and better at reading the domains with or without dashes. The problem is that people are more likely to write your domain name without a dash and even up on your competitor’s site. I say - avoid dashes.

5. Dangerous word combinations
Always have someone else look at your domain name. There are things you may not see. Speed of Art sure didn’t have anyone to check to their domain name www.speedofart.com

Domain name is important for being found by your customers. And professional website is essential for turning those visitors into paying customers.

More than 75% of Canadians search the internet on everyday basis. The internet is today’s marketplace. Just like you invest in your brick and mortar store, you need a professional online presentation of your company.

Choose AD Webdesign to create your website presentation. We offer professional services at affordable prices. All our websites are built with Search Engine Optimization in mind and ongoing maintenance is available. We never hesitate to give our clients recommendations we know they will benefit from and keep them posted of their site’s performance via monthly reports.

Visit us at www.adwebdesign.ca or call 905 901 2506 to schedule an appointment.

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