1. The Name. Domain names can be of any length up to 67 characters, but try to keep the name short and simple so that people can remember it and type it into the browser address bar with ease. Try using the name of your business so that people can identify with it. If your domain name is your business’ name, people will automatically know where to go. For example, when people think of Best Buy, they don’t have to wonder what URL to type into their browser to get there. The name of the business is also the URL.

2. The Domain Extension – Dot What? There are many different extensions available to choose from. I recommend the .com extension as the first choice for businesses since it is the most popular and people tend to remember that more readily. If your budget is not too tight, it is recommended that you also acquire the .net, .info, .org, .mobi and your country’s top level domain (.gy for Guyana) to protect your brand. The .mobi extension will come in handy when you decide to develop a mobile version of your website for mobile users.

3. Character Type. Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and hyphens (dashes). Spaces and symbols are not allowed, and domain names are not case sensitive. I warn against hyphenated names since people tend to forget the hyphens, and may end up at your competitor’s website. When the non-hyphenated domain name for your business is not available, you may however be forced to acquire the hyphenated version just to get the domain name you want.

4. Register Your Domain NOW. You may just be starting you business now and did not budget for a website, but you can register your domain now and develop the website at a later stage. Domain names are being snatched up like hot cakes, so delaying this task may leave you with “the-domain-name-that-no-one-wanted.net”. Just get out there and register before you loose the opportunity to get the name you really want, or be forced to pay a premium price after it’s taken, or try to retrofit your domain name to your business.

Click here to start the process of registering your Domain Name.