LESSON #23: Choosing and Registering a Domain Name

By | September 2, 2008
286 Comments

In the previous lesson, we talked about branding your business and naming your product.

Once you’ve come up with a product name, you’ll need to register a domain. However, some domains are much better than others, so I want to take a few minutes to explain it to you right now…

(Watch this video…)

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Main points:

  • A domain name is basically the web address of a particular website. For example “Google.com” or “EricsTips.com” is a domain name.

  • You NEED your own website (reasons explained on video)… therefore you need a domain.

  • A domain name is like the title deed to your website. (you want to build equity in your web properties)

  • Domain Extensions…

    – .COM is usually the best, especially if it’s for the primary website of your business
    – .ORG can be beneficial in gaining trust, and may be preferable for some information and service oriented websites.
    – Country-specific extensions (ex. .CA, .IN, .JP) can be advantageous if you’re marketing exclusively to a niche within a certain country.

  • While domains consisting of “made up” words can become popular (ie. ebay.com, Xanga.com, Bebo.com, etc.), a more straight-forward approach is better for informational websites.

  • The domain should concisely describe WHAT the site is all about.

  • Consider adding a word, thinking locally, or making it personal (Examples on the video)

  • Generally avoid superlatives such as ‘best’, ‘top’, and ‘number 1’. (Can hurt your credibility and cause problems with PPC advertising)

  • Use an adjective. I often use an adjective as the first word of a domain name.

  • What about hyphens?

    In general, I would prefer a domain with no hyphens. It’s debatable, but hyphens may create a visual advantage in some cases for SEO and PPC. However, it also makes the domain harder to remember, and more difficult to say out loud.

  • Don’t use intentional misspellings. You can use misspelled domains to capture traffic, but you should NOT build a full fledged site on one. (There are exceptions, like Flickr.com, but you are probably not the exception. Misspellings look bad)

  • Don’t use abbreviations, unless it’s VERY well known.

  • Don’t use numbers (digits), unless you have a really good reason.

  • Don’t make it too long. Aim for 2 or 3 words, and no more than 4 words.

  • Matching up with your product…

    – If your product name is 2 or 3 words, it would be ideal for the domain to match it.

    – If your product name is not available to register as a domain, you’ll want to check to see if that domain is currently in use. If someone is using that domain to sell a product in your niche, I would recommend coming up with a new product name to avoid conflicts.

    – If your product name is long, you’ll need to come up with a shorter domain. (see example on video)

  • You may want to register a few domains to give yourself some options. (Multiple domains can be used for the same website. You can then split-test domain names on PPC, or use multiple domain names to avoid competing with your own affiliates on PPC)

  • Just don’t register a bunch of domains you don’t need.

  • Domain suggestions tools. It’s fine to use domain suggestion tools to get ideas, but I generally do not use them. If you can think like a marketer, you can come up with a better domain name than a computer.

  • Where to register your domain…

    – There are hundreds of places on the internet where you can register a domain. Some are better than others. If you’ve already found a good and reliable registrar, feel free to stick with them.

    – I recommend registering your domain with someone OTHER than your web host. (reasons explained)

    – It’s important that you have good control over your domain (easily be able to change DNS, set up child name servers, etc)

    – I recommend using www.LifeDomains.NET

    (see registration walk-through on video)

    SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY:

    You may want to consider getting your own domain sales business, like mine. There are always people who need to register domains, so if your business has anything to do with business or money, then this could be a good side business for you. Domain resellers are making as much as $37k per month with this opportunity!

    Click here for info about getting your own turn-key domain business

    (Includes bonus advertising credits and other freebies. See details on site…)

    Action steps:

    1) Register a domain for your business.

    Use the guidelines from this lesson to register a good one!

    After you’ve registered your domain, the next step is to get it hosted. There are good hosts, and there are bad hosts, and choosing the wrong one could be a costly mistake. Having been a web hosting company owner, it’s a subject that I know a fair amount about, and I’ll be sharing the important facts with you in the next lesson.

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below 🙂 (Feel free to let us know about your new domain, even if it’s just parked right now)

    Have a great day!

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    • 286 thoughts on “LESSON #23: Choosing and Registering a Domain Name”

    1. E. Al Whaley

      ERIC…. GREAT LESSONS. i SORT OUT THE REPLIES AND HIGH LIGHT THOSE OF INTEREST AND COPY. A GREAT REFERENCE SOURCE. ? DO YOU COVER HOW TO MASK AND ARE ANY OF YOUR KEY SITES SURROUNDED WITH OTHER DOMAINS DESIGNED TO BRING THEM TO THE ‘KEY’ SITE? I’M A NEWBEE – BUT EXTREMELY DETERMINED. I NEED TO REHEAR THE SEARCH WORDS’ AND GRAVITY STATS AGAIN. THANKS LOADS. AL

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    2. Eric Post author

      I will probably not cover masking in these lessons. The easiest way to mask a domain is probably in your domain account (such as godaddy), you can forward and mask any domain. But the kind of masking you’re probably referring to is the use of shadow domains, which is basically a black hat tactic. I’ve done some of it, but it does take work, and the results were not spectacular. It’s tough to beat google in the long run, so the techniques I teach in these lessons are more white hat, and more accessible to the average marketer.

      Reply ↓
    3. Shirley

      Hi Eric,

      With respect to 1) above, the logical steps to do if I sign up hostgator to be my web host – I will sign up with hostgator and specify I have an existing domain, next I will build the new website and then change the DNS? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

      In your video example, we will change the DNS with the domain registrar. My Dad’s website is registered and hosted by Yahoo. Will I change the DNS in Yahoo webhost similar to your example or I need to do something different?

      I’m still on lesson 26 and am taking it very slowly to learn all the correct steps before I start redesigning the new site (don’t want to mess up). And thanks again for all your invaluable advice and guidance!!

      Shirley

      Reply ↓
    4. Eric Post author

      You are correct. You would build the website, and then change the DNS at Yahoo (which might automatically cancel your Yahoo hosting) to point to your new name servers (as assigned by hostgator in your welcome email).

      Here is a walkthrough: Change DNS at Yahoo

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    5. KlondikeKate

      Eric, I hope you will be teaching some lessons about the importance of the words you will be using on your website. Especially the correct way to spell the words, and not the abbreviated words you use for instant messaging your friends. It wouldn’t take me a nanosecond to click off some of these websites of people who think everybody knows what they are talking about when they can’t use the correct spelling and writing of the english language. If you don’t have a lesson about this, please make one. I’m sure alot of people will thank you for it.

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    6. Gerald Compton

      Thanks Eric – Great lesson. I had some trouble with lesson 22 fyi. The video would not start up. No big deal, just thought I would let you know.

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    8. JOHN-PAUL

      Eric, must ipay befor i get my domain name registered?

      Reply ↓
    9. Eric Post author

      Yes you need to pay for it. There are some web hosts who offer free domain with their hosting, but ultimately you’re still paying for it because then you’re locked into their hosting.

      Reply ↓
    10. Richard

      Eric can I wait to register domain.I am researching two different information products. I want to see which one is more ever green. I don’t have money to waist and The names are available. I am on a very tight budget, I feel I would be better off viewing more lessons and more research be for spending money on something that may not work.This is very hard for a newbe. Thank you for your GREAT INFORMATION. LOL…

      Reply ↓
    11. Eric Post author

      Yes you could wait, but of course the risk is that your desired domain could be registered by someone else.

      I would suggest going back to lesson #19-20, and try to nail down which of your 2 possible niches is…

      a) potentially more profitable
      b) what you are more interested in, or knowledgable about

      Reply ↓
    12. Richard

      Thank you for the feed back Eric. I did watch lesson 39 and I got scared about all the legal issues you talked about and now I am thinking for the first site keep it simple and I would not have to deal with all the headaches you talked about in the 39th lesson. I don’t need that much stress. It was a very realistic and in formative lesson. Thank you very much. You scared me a whole lot. I am going back and watching the lesson again, after watching lesson 39 I have to narrow my niches trying to stay green and safe and white and do more research to see what a lot of people are looking for. Thanks Richard…

      Reply ↓
    13. Larry

      Eric,
      Great lesson today! You look familer to me have you ever wrote a book called Walk across America?

      Reply ↓
    14. TheSkinners

      Hi Eric,

      Wow! You are right in saying there are many places where a domain name can be registered!

      I know you recommend lifedomains.net but I was wondering if you would be willing to expand a little and possibly offer some specifics on why that would be a better choice than specifically godaddy.com?

      There are many factors to consider and as a newbie in this game, price is one of the only things I can compare on, but that shouldn’t be the deciding factor, which is why I ask for your more experienced opinion.

      Thank you in advance if you manage to find the time to respond, if not I do understand.

      Regards,

      Bob Skinner

      Reply ↓
    15. Eric Post author

      Hi Bob, actually http://www.lifedomains.net is the same domain registrar as Godaddy (Same parent company), and the service is the same. The only difference is that lifedomains is my own reseller site under their reseller program (as mentioned on the video), so I earn commission from all domains registered at lifedomains.net.

      I generally try set the prices on lifedomains to comparable prices as Godaddy. But sometimes Godaddy does have special sales that I don’t have. Here is my aff link for Godaddy as well:

      Godaddy domains

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    16. Louise

      Eric–

      Aw, shucks. Here I thought that adding the 4U on the end of the domain name was a cool way of branding them to me. If I had my druthers, every website would relate to my corporation, Fantasy Designs for the Ages, but not all of my interests relate directly with Interior Design. It just so happens that I used the names of domains I purchased when I first started my e-commerce business for my booths on Bonanzle. I’ve been trying to get my business off the ground for almost two years without having my own website. That nasty old habit of fear is my biggest roadblock. I am afraid of committing to nearly $40 per month when I have no income to pay for it.

      Since the business plan was created for my service business, I will look for a domain name for that service. I wanted the 4U on the end to emphasize the fact that the service I would be providing has my client’s best interests at heart — just like my company logo has the caption “Your Wish is Our Desire!”
      I have to use FFE because “furniture fixtures and equipment” is just too long.

      Okay, I just went to lifedomains and tried ffedirect, but it was already taken. Since you do not recommend using 4u, which I felt would be justified, I tried ffedirecttoyou. It is available, but I have NO money in the bank at the moment. When I deposit some money, I’ll get my domain.

      When I am ready to start with my info product, lessons on reading music, I hope the domain readingmusicbasics.com is available. It is right now. Maybe I’ll get that domain when I get my service one in the next day or two.

      Louise

      Reply ↓
    17. Eric Post author

      No I didn’t but that sounds like a good book 🙂

      Actually there is a book of that title by Peter Jenkins. I know this because I own another of his books– the Road Unseen.

      Reply ↓
    18. Louise

      UPDATE:

      Woohoo!! I made a sale on eBay and was able to purchase my domain. In case you are curious, the domain is FFEdirectforyou.com. I hope you think that is satisfactory. Now I can move forward…..

      Louise

      Reply ↓
    21. Irving

      Hello Eric.

      you know I really want to get into the “The Domain Business Owner Program” I feel it could be an affordable start..right? so I’m saving for the Basic plan so my question is, all I have to pay is for the plan registration fee and the transaction fees? also I would like to know if I set all customer support to be done through “the domain business owner program” for the future customers, would it be included in my plan(the basic plan for now) or i have to pay any fee for the customer support?

      thank you Eric… =)

      Reply ↓
    22. JoAnna

      Wow..I’ve been at this for months and have yet to start making any $’s. My fault…I keep getting stuck but will continue to bang my head against the wall! I’m totally determined I can do this!

      Reply ↓
    24. robert

      i’ve had the same problem with those two lessons.i wasn’t running anything except yahoo mail.but this lesson stopped dead with the timer at 36.37 and hasnt moved from there. i rebooted and still same problem.so i just came down and read the lesson and comments its not the same as seeing the lessons but its better then not getting the lesson at all.

      Reply ↓
    25. robert

      before i got into erics tips i bought nine domain names for $217.00 i didn’t now what i was doing an i really couldn’t afford to do this.so i went to cb and became an affiliate now i have products but still no idea on what i’m doing,but i’m stil taking an learning from you.wish i had done this first it would have save me a lot of hadches.still havn’t earned a dime still not sure what i’m doing but still working on your lessons hopefully it will all come together soon and i’ll start making some money but it hard to stay encouraged when you make these kind of misstakes in the begininng if it wasn’t for faith in you i would have quit but i’m no quitter and i know following you will help me become the i i want to be thanks eric.some times i just have to unload the errors and keep on plugging.thats what i learn from you never say never.

      Reply ↓
    27. Lyndsay Searle

      Hi Eric,
      I need your help. I have got this far and am a bit stuck
      I want to set up a website /forum so that Maltese dog owners can send in photos, stories and chat about their dogs. This site would have paid advertisement on it to bring in a revenue. (I have bought a programme that puts the ads on your site although this could have been a waste of money.) Also I thought I would write an ebook on toy dog breeding as there does not seem to be one. I have been trying to find out the demand for both of these things. I suspect nither of these things will make me a fortune but perhaps a small income. So I will need something else.
      You are suggesting we make our money through info products but do you not need to know your subject really well to develop a product? As other than the above I am not sure that I have enough knowlage of anything else that has not been done before.
      Thank you in advance. Lyndsay

      Reply ↓
    29. Paula

      Unfortunately, we have already done this & have our site up. Wish we had found Eric’s tips before we did our site… Oh, well… Such is life. However, we have learned a lot so far that we didn’t know before so it’s been useful. Thanks so much.

      Reply ↓
    31. Claudia

      Hi Eric, Really great lesson! I appreciate you sharing what you are doing and pointing out safe to try business opportunities that we can try..I got a copy of keyword Elite 2.0
      and am looking forward to trying that out.

      Reply ↓
    32. Kent Stryker

      Eric whenever you try to sign up for a new name “reregister” the computer is broken at lifedomains.net
      Kent Stryker

      Reply ↓
    34. Arlan

      Eric,

      I already heard what you said in your video that you don’t need a website to as a marketer but I learned that, that is not safe. I made a blog (blogger) then I registered the domain name of that blog. My problem now is, how will I use that domain name to a website I am planing to make? My mistake was I register my domain name and its hosting. As of now I have not made a website because I don’t know how.

      Please help me…thanks!

      Reply ↓
    35. Arlan

      This is to follow up my previous question…

      Now that I have registered a domain name in the name of my blog, can I still use that domain name to my website if ever I will make one? Ty

      Reply ↓
    37. Eric Post author

      You can point that domain to any hosting… you can then install a website on your domain using any of a number of different methods. You will see all of this in the upcoming lessons 🙂

      Reply ↓
    39. brian

      hi, eric is there any way you can send me all your lessons from 4 to the least as i am 60 and i think i will most likaly called on from a higher plase. i would like to start befor it all end,s i have no website so i can not sell that i bought from you yours brian,ps your god be with you on your trip

      Reply ↓
    41. Butch

      Hi Eric,
      What comes through to me is to keep it simple which is not what other people told me.
      Thank you
      Butch Hannan

      Reply ↓
    42. Karen C Groves

      Hi, Eric,
      I’m enjoying the lessons very much. Thank you for them.

      My first domain was http://www.beststressreducers.com and when I discovered something about the hosting bunch, I changed.

      http://www.BustingStress.com is Stress Busters for Stress Management. This briefly conveys exactly what the site is about. Since I wasn’t able to get a more keyword rich name, I get to really work with the keywords for each page of the site and everything else I do.

      I’ve been a telemarketer for 9 years and am finding the marketing on the internet is a wee bit different. Really having the time of my life learning all of this and working to make it work and feel like I’m where I should be.

      Thanks again.

      Karen

      Reply ↓
    43. brian

      I seem to have lost you iv been whating for 24 if you ar on holls sorry for been pushey yours brian may your god be with you

      Reply ↓
    45. Immanuels

      Hello Kola Adebayo nice comment, going thru your comment thats nice, i am into web designing and Hosting, Do u have any idea how i can get an email marketing software.?

      Reply ↓
    47. steve

      hi eric
      im really new to all this and finding tour lessons really honest and informative, which i have to say is very refreshing. I am looking forward to the rest and an only imagine that they can only be beneficial. I do have a quesstion that maybe you can help me with. As you can see i do have a website which i purchaed ages ago and can’t remember who or where, but the content on it has nothing to do with me and i have not been able todo anything with it myself , 1 because i dont know how and 2, im not sure if i can access it . I would like to keep the domain name now to utilize it for doing something with all the knowledge im gaining from you. If anyone has any ideas i would be grateful,

      Reply ↓
    48. Eric Post author

      If you own the domain you should definitely be able to access it. It is registered with Godaddy, so you should be able to login to Godaddy to manage it. From there, you can follow the next few lessons to transfer it to your own hosting account, and set up your own website on it.

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    49. steve west

      wow thank you eric . I am so impressed with what you do. how do you find the time to answer everyone. I just hope that Im right in crediting you as being a dynamic inspired good person and NOT that Im bordering the realms of being indolent thank you for the information I really wasnt expecting you to get back to me on it. Anyway I am following your lessons avidly and have registered a new site with your recomendations . I just wish I had more time as i am now positive that, with the help im getting from these lessons, i can generate a modest income. Thank you again.
      God Bless ..Steve

      Reply ↓

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