An Internet domain name is a one-of-a-kind web address that you can
purchase for your web site. It could contain your business name: http://www.yourbusinessname.com,
or most any other word/letter combination that you want, based upon
availability. For example, after much brainstorming, I decided on http://www.ProfitInfo.com
as my domain name.
You may not have considered the benefits
that having your own domain name gives your web site, so I'll list some
major ones and then we'll look at each more closely:
1) Gives Exclusivity.
2) Adds Credibility.
3) Allows Mobility.
4) Avoids Loss of Momentum.
Gives Exclusivity
Without your own domain, you don't have
much of a choice; your email and web addresses will generally be based on
the domain name of your host or Internet service provider, such as
username@yourISP.com and http://www.yourISP.com/username/
But having your own domain name is like
owning your own virtual real estate; your own slice of cyber turf, if you
will. Such exclusivity can help build name recognition for you and your
company.
Adds Credibility
As the saying goes: "You never get a second
chance to make a first impression," and in business, first impressions
count. Having your own domain name projects a professional image of you
and your company, normally associated with large companies. It tends to
say to others that you're a serious business person, operating an
established business, in a professional manner (even if you're operating
out of your bedroom at home, much of the time in your P.J.'s; but
regardless of your dress, you should still conduct your business in a
serious, professional manner.)
Allows Mobility
As mentioned above, if you set up a web
site without owning your own domain name, you end up using the domain name
of your web host by default. Such a web address is not mobile; you can't
take it with you if you ever decide to switch to another web host.
Ownership of your own domain name gives you
the option of moving your web site to another host without losing your web
address. You can pull up stakes at any time and take your domain name with
you.
NOTE: Some have run into domain ownership
problems when their ISP or other person or party that took care of the
process of domain registration did not list them as the actual owner.
Moral of the story: Make sure you are properly listed as the owner of the
domain when it is registered.
Avoids Loss of Momentum
As any web marketer knows, it takes effort
(not necessarily any expense, if you know some tricks of the trade) to
promote a web site. Fortunately, over time, some of those marketing
efforts can build momentum, bringing more and more traffic to your site
without additional marketing effort. But unfortunately, if you can't take
your web address with you when you switch to another ISP or host, you can
lose much - if not all - of the momentum gained by your previous web
marketing efforts.
Now you may be happy with your current web
host and have no plans to switch, but having the option to move your web
site to another host without losing your web address is always good to
have open to you. Domain name ownership gives you that option, and any
momentum you've gained from previous effort (and possibly expense)
involved in promoting your web address doesn't go down the drain.
So, are you a serious Internet entrepreneur
without your own domain name for your web site? Then now might be a good
time to start making a list of possible domain names. However, don't grab
just any domain name in haste. A poorly-chosen one won't give you the
maximum benefits that a well-chosen one can. Take your time to brainstorm
the best domain name that you can come up with. That's a key task for
serious web marketers, especially if you consider that your web address is
the world's link to you.
More Helpful Resources...
Internet Profit Strategies Revealed!
Discover eye-opening techniques, tactics and strategies in Marty Foley's
revealing handbook,
Internet Marketing Goldmine.