Don’t be a domain cheapskate!

Why cheap domain names are NOT a bargain.

A domain name is a Web site address like WeSellWidgets.com. And, here’s why you want to be sure your company’s domain name remains in good standing.

A domain name works like a phone number. When a customer dials your phone number, the phone company works their magic and routes that call to a specific phone. Same with your domain name: when someone types your domain name like WeSellWidgets.com into their Web browser, the Internet works its magic and displays that web site on the specific computer that requested it. If the domain name expires, it’s like your phone being disconnected. People who call will be told it’s out of service, which sounds like you’re out of business. So, they’ll go somewhere else for their widgets.

[caption id="attachment_32" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Are your customers finding you online?"][/caption]

Think how inconvenient it would be if your phone number changed. Many companies we work with have had the same phone number for 30 or 40 years and their customers have it memorized. If you’re like most businesses, you will do everything possible to hang onto that phone number, even when you change locations or phone companies.

As you become more dependent on using the Internet for communication with customers, colleagues and vendors, your domain name has gradually become more crucial to helping them find you easily. It’s even more important if your email address contains your domain: ralph@WeSellWidgets.com or info@WeSellWidgets.com.

Registrars of ill repute

A couple of years back, there was a domain registrar that became pretty famous pretty fast selling domain names cheap. Thousands of companies took advantage of the “excellent” prices and registered their domain names there. Then, one day, the registrar was gone. Poof! Thousands of companies’ web sites went offline. People can’t get to your web site if the domain name information is unavailable. Like your phone, it’s disconnected. Those that depend upon their sites for revenue were losing thousands of dollars a day. . . and all because they saved ten or twenty bucks a year in registration. If you’re going the cheap route on anything in your business, don't do it with your domain name!

Should you register another domain name?

Some good reasons for using multiple names for your Web site

Now that you have your domain name printed on everything including your vehicle, you certainly don’t want to change it. But, did you know that you can have more than one domain name pointing to your Web site? It’s exactly like having two phone numbers ring to your building. Registering an additional name is an affordable way to help customers find you! Here are several good reasons to register another name and have it point to your Web site.

Search rank
Although it’s not the MOST important thing, it does help your search rank if your product or service is IN your domain name. Now, this isn’t a reason to jump online and start registering every name you can that has to do with the widgets you sell. Widgets.com, widgets.org, widgets.biz, etc. etc. Enough already. But, a name like WidgetInstallers.com definitely gets Google to see your Web site as very relevant in a search for “How do I install a widget?”.  

Stickiness WeBuyUglyHouses.com is one domain you don’t easily forget. . . it sticks in your mind. So, Anderson Bauman Chiropractic took that idea and ran with it. Their alternate domain name NotJustBackPain.com not only lets customers know what they do, but mentions that there are many reasons to make an appointment with your chiropractor. Be creative. Think of short sentences or phrases that people can easily remember. And, get that name registered today...before someone else gets it.

MisspellingsAnother great reason to have multiple names is to account for misspellings. Franks County Market found that lots of people mistakenly call the store Frank’s Country Market (with the R). So, he registered that name, too. For only $25 a year, ($20 this month!) he’s sure that he’s not missing all the folks who think Frank’s is a COUNTRY store, not a COUNTY store.

Ditch the dash
You could also remove the dash. When the Garden of Eder first registered their name, they didn’t think about saying it out loud. Saying “Garden dash of dash Eder dot com” is a bit awkward. So, Garden-of-Eder.com was complemented by another intuitive domain: GardenofEder.com.

Do you have questions about using multiple domain names for customers to find your Web site? Leave a comment!

How about a new .name?

Domain names on sale through August 31!
Register during August and receive $5 off!

You have a great idea for a domain name? Then now is the time to register that clever name you thought up while you couldn't sleep last night. . . or the night before!

You don’t need to limit yourself to dot com. There are lots of other domain extensions that have some very clever uses: .net, .biz and .info are only a few. Check all of them here.

Why register through BeeLine? Simple. Because we’re right here to answer your questions and suggest ways to make your business thrive. Our goal is to make you successful -- both online and offline.