10 Commandments of Domain Name Value

Domain Name 10 Commandments - BEFORE you choose or buy a domain name; understand the ten issues involved in choosing the right domain name the first time. First, the list that we work from when conducting a custom Domain Name Analysis (DNA). Then the explanations of each commandment follow.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF INTERNET DOMAIN NAME VALUE
1 - The name shall have Development Value
2 - The name shall have .Dot value
3 - The name shall have Brand Recognition
4 - The name shall be Search Engine Friendly
5 - The name shall be Linguistically Viable
6 - The name shall have Traffic or Revenue
7 - The name shall have Industry Strength
8 - The name shall have Sales Value History
9 - The name shall have Intrinsic Value
10 - The name shall have Market Potential

1 - Development Value
A names base line value is based on the ability to use it. One of the primary issues we address in our DNA (Domain Name Analysis) is - Can this name be built into an instantly recognizable site whose name becomes synonymous with its content?
2 - .Dot Value
Dot.com's are, and probably always will be, more valuable than any other .dot designation. Even Dot.net's, and Dot.org's are by their very nature worth less on the open market. There are many reasons for this. One reason involves search engine rankings. Other issues pertain to the consumers hard to break habits. Note that .com is the internationally recognized extension for serious Internet business sites.
3 - Brand Recognition
Simple, familiar words work better than complicated, hard-to-spell ones. Short, catchy names in attractive industry segments are also very valuable. Kleenex is an example of brand recognition in the brick and mortar world. The brand name Kleenex was originally associated with facial tissue made BY KLEENEX ONLY. Because of powerful brand recognition however the name Kleenex came to literally equal ANY brand of facial tissue. "Will you hand me a Kleenex please". This is one of the areas where we rely heavily on our point of contact research and specialists experience with domain names. It is an area we do not analyze via computer algorithm. Rarely will any name receive an excellent valuation under this commandment unless it meets the above criteria AND carries the .Dot com extension.
For explanations of the rest of the Commandments 4 - 10, visit http://extraordinaryartist.com/domain-name.htm It's FREE and will ensure you don't make a mistake right up front when trying to establish a viable Internet Business.

Buying Domain Names Like a Pro

If you want to be taken seriously as an online presence, domain name registration is a necessity. You can choose a domain name and register it through many different domain name registrars, but from there it can get tricky. The original registrar will create a record on its domain name servers to tell other computers where to find your website address. Once you choose a web hosting company, you'll have to get the DNS record switched over to your new host, which can be confusing if you've never done it before.

The easier way is to choose a web hosting company and register for a web hosting account that includes a free domain name registration as part of the account package. Registering a new domain name - especially registering your first domain name - that way streamlines the process so that you don't have to worry about switching name servers and adjusting the records - the web hosting company does it all for you. You just tell them your desired domain name and the tech folks at the company will do the rest.

Before you take the plunge, though, be sure to ask the web host whether they register a domain name under your name or theirs. Some companies register all domains under their own name, which can become a problem if you're dissatisfied with your hosting experience and decide to move your website to another host. When the domain name is registered in your name, you control where the site is hosted. If the web hosting company registers it under their own name, they hold the control. If you want to move your site to another host, you may have to pay for them to release it. If you've spent time building up your web site visibility, or have invested in advertising materials that feature your website address, it can feel like your domain name is being held hostage. Avoid the issue altogether by asking up front what their policy is when a customer wants to move a domain registered through them to another hosting company.

In addition to control of your own domain name, you should look for a number of other features in a web hosting company. Find a host that offers a full package, including storage, email servers, databases and easy installation of blogs, photo albums, content management systems and other popular website features - all for one low, monthly price. Avoid a la carte packages, which may seem lower at first glance but charge you extra for basics like email servers, blog setup, databases and access to applications like blogs, content management systems, photo albums and email forwarders.

While you're at it, choose a web hosting company that allows you to host multiple domains under one hosting account. Once you understand how easy it is to set up your own website, you may decide that you need more than one. While most hosts only include one free domain name with a web hosting account, many will allow you to add additional domain and host other websites on your account. In most cases, you can register a domain name through any registrar and host it on your current account at no additional cost.

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