by Steven Gardner

Domain names are unique on the Internet, you can't have two the same, no matter how you try.

That's why they are important, for search engines, it is a key component of the algorithm, see how many searches you do that have a keyword match in the domain name.

But that leads us to a prospective website owners dilemma, should they chose a domain name that is representative of their name ie www.comanyname.com or go with a keyword based name ie www.keyword1keyword2.com

Now with the bonus you can get using keyworded names, it would make sense to follow that road, but registering your business name is just good sense, even if for insurance purposes and with the cost of domain names being so cheap, it would be silly not to go that way.

Nike, Adidas and other high branded companies don't need keyword rich domains as their other marketing means that they overcome that hurdle.

In some industries, such as artists, whether painters, sculptors, singers and bands they have a unique proposition, that often the artist is the product not necessarily what they produce, they are the branding, they are "it"

So they may lean toward their name as a domain to follow that thinking.

But if you are one of thousands trying to make it online, every advantage needs to be taken and so keyworded names are often the way to go.

Here are some things to think about when you are choosing your domain:

• Do some research: look at your competitors, similarly to search engine placement, the same thinking applies. See what others are doing, what words they use. Use a keyword tool like the Yahoo Keyword Suggestion Tool to generate real search ideas.
• Think like a customer: what would they be searching for when they are looking for you and what you sell. Think in 2 or 3 word phrases.
• Don't be too cute: If you need the domain name to be used in other mediums than the Internet, be careful with the use of hyphens eg: " - " or word/number replacements eg: "2" for two" "4" for "four" as they can make branding difficult.

Once you have done your homework, you should have a domain name that will help your online presence as much as possible.

About the Author

Steven Gardner runs DeepWeb Web Design, a web design business that caters to all businesses looking to get an edge with their presence on the Web, providing web design, maintenance and consulting services. You can find him at www.deepweb.co.nz.

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