In today’s e-market place, website ranking and optimization can make the difference between profitable success, or dismal failure. Businesses looking to establish an online presence should scrupulously choose their domain name to help build higher search engine results through proper URL identification relevant to their products, services and purpose.

Using a well-known brand name in your domain name is an ideal marketing approach, however, most Network Marketing companies will not allow you to do so. For example, Pampered Chef, will not permit independent distributors to use domain names such as www.BobsPamperedChefProducts.com since it would be viewed as an infringement on Pampered Chef’s copyright/trademark restrictions, given that “PamperedChef” is used in the URL name. So, without the use of a brand name, what’s the best marketing solution, if you’re trying to promote a branded product online? Use a generic keyword phase that seizes the essence of what your company sells, offers or promotes.

For illustrative purposes, using my personal Nutronix International's, health supplement distributor website, I can demonstrate specific application of this keyword approach. By registering the URL: www.supplemental-health.com I captured the essence of what the promoted products are and what they do. Also, by acquiring the domain name: www.health-and-wealth.biz I am able to promote the network marketing aspects of the same business. So, by owning both domain names, and linking them to different pertinent pages of the same website, I get a double whammy, and obtain heightened potential search engine significance for my site. Many Search Engine Optimizers believe linking your domain name with keywords of your business help give your site extra credence. The use of a choice keyword in the domain name means the search engine has a reference text to point directly to your site which will generally result in higher relevancy ranking of your website.

When possible, don’t use hyphens, like I did (harder to accomplish these days, e.g. - www.work-from-home-internet-business.us). Generally, visitors will remember the domain words but don’t remember the hyphens, and there is a very good chance you’ll be giving away potential customers to your competition. Search engines, like Google, deem sites with a large number of hyphens as representative of spam, and they are punished accordingly. You’ll also want to make your domain name memorable and appealing. Generally, the shorter the better, this helps customers remember your URL next time they look for your product or service. Long domain names are very easily messed up or forgotten. Avoid using slang, unless it’s very common, and never use “txt msg” abbreviations.

The top level domain (TLD) is the root of your URL. Most common TLDs are “.com”, ".net" and “.org”. Additionally, country designation such as, “.us” are becoming more popular. Whatever is chosen, by far, the best sellection is always ".com". Visitors almost always remember your site as a “.com” regardless of the root that is registered. BEWARE, you could be gifting your competition with your potential traffic if your TLD is not of the more commonly known variety.

When there are two or more similar domains, e.g. – www.gray.com and www.grey.com, which could easily be confused by your visitors, including something as simple as a plural of your domain, you should consider buying all the relevant domains. This ensures that you will benefit from any typing errors. Also consider simple variants on your theme, e.g. - www.work-at-home-internet-business.us, and use redirects to point to your main site. Finally, you might also consider purchasing several TLDs for the same name, if you want to dominate your competition. It may certainly be worth buying up your country domain TLD such as “.us”, “.ca” or “.uk”, as appropriate. The more redirects, the greater relevancy, and potential higher search engine ranking.

CONCLUSION - A domain name is generally one of the very first things that potential visitors will see when searching for a site. For this reason you should make the name simple, appealing, and memorable. If possible, try to match your domain to your company name to assist in brand recognition. However, if this isn't possible, definitely try to include one or two major keywords that are relevant to your business. The TLD “.com” is the best top level domain to get, and if available, you may also want to consider buying other top level domains to hinder competition and ensure the highest benefit for your website promotion.

References:

How to Register and Secure Your Preferred Domain Name – Ed. Mark Bellinger, {http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Bellinger}

Choosing a Right Domain Name – Ed. Paras Shah, www.vipwh.com, November 21, 2005, {http://www.articlesfactory.com & http://www.itsallaboutlinks.com}

Keyword Research – Ed. John Smith & Aaron Nimocks, {http://www.articles4free.com & http://www.iseocompany.com}

Website Traffic And Search Engine Optimization: The Domain Name – Ed. Donovan Baldwin, {http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donovan_Baldwin}

Generic Internet Domain Names – Ed. Richard Romando, {http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando}