Determining which domain name is best for you can be a daunting process. The following are some tips and helpful suggestions to help you arrive at your ideal domain name.

Understand the Components of a Domain Name
Brainstorm
Choose a TLD
Check for Name Availability
Buy Additional Domains

Understand the Components of a Domain Name
A domain name is comprised of two parts—the unique name (i.e. “google”), and the TLD ending (i.e. “.com”). For more information, see “What is a Domain Name?.”
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Brainstorm
Sit down and think of all the possible unique names and phrases that describe your website content most accurately. Initially, don’t concern yourself with which TLDs to use—just think of unique names.

Keep the following ideas in mind:

• Short names are easier to remember than long ones.
• Avoid using words that are commonly misspelled, or names that are difficult to spell.
• Say the name out loud. Would the average person be able to accurately spell the name after hearing it?
• Avoid hyphens. They are harder to remember, and require you to spell the domain name out each time you tell it to another person.
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Choose a TLD
The most common TLDs (top level domains) are “.com,” “.net,” and “.org.” You cannot make up your own TLD; you must select one from the list of approved current extensions.

Many TLDs are related to (or at least appear to relate to) a theme. Reference sites can use “.info,” business sites can be found under “.biz,” and entertainment-related sites often use “.tv.” Consider whether the content of your website would be well-suited to a certain extension.

Keep in mind that certain TLDs have restrictions over who may purchase them. For example, to purchase a “.hk” (Hong Kong) domain, you must be registered with the Hong Kong government (i.e. live there).
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Check for Name Availability
Consult a WHOIS engine to find out if the unique name and TLD you want is available. It is important to keep an open mind and consider multiple possibilities, as many times your first choice will already be taken. If you are truly set on a particular name/TLD combination that is already owned, send an e-mail to the administrative contact listed under its WHOIS record and see if they may be interested in selling the name to you.
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Buy Additional Domains
If you have the resources, it’s a great idea to buy multiple domain names and point them at the same website. Consider purchasing common misspellings of your main domain name, so that someone who makes a typing error or wrote the name down wrong is still likely to find your pages. If your primary domain name is hyphenated, consider securing the non-hyphenated version as well.

Protect the integrity of your name by buying multiple versions with different TLDs. If you are in a highly competitive industry, this will prevent someone from purchasing a similar domain name and siphoning away your customers. There is no need to buy up every extension in existence; however, you should try for “.com,” “.net,” “.org,” and any other extensions specifically relevant to your company (i.e. “.tv” for an entertainment-related site).

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