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6 Steps to Registering a Successful Domain Name
Domain names are Web addresses that tell visitors where to find your online business.
Yet did you know that domain names are also one of the most powerful tools used
to build successful online businesses?
Choosing a memorable, relevant domain name is only the beginning. In order for your
domain name to really go to work for your business, it will need to help you attract
visitors and search engines alike while also supporting your brand. Network Solutions
Domain Name Scorecard is an online quiz that's designed to help you determine how
well your domain name is performing -- and help you find ways to improve it. This
quick, informative quiz addresses the six key areas of domain name registration,
including:
Registering Alternate Domain Name Extensions
Why stop at registering a domain name such as janesbagels.com when registering multiple
extensions – such as janesbagels.net and janesbagels.org – can help
you capture a wider audience? When visitors arrive at the alternate extension domains,
you can redirect them to your website.
Registering Domain Names to Protect Your Brand
A visitor may intend to visit janesbagels.com, but mistakenly type jansbagels.com
instead. By anticipating these typing errors and registering them as domain names,
you can catch visitors before they are led astray by a competitor who may use the
same strategy to lure your visitors to their own site.
Registering Descriptive Domain Names
Registering domain names that describe your products and/or services is another
helpful domain name strategy. In the example janesbagels.com, relevant descriptive
domains may include references to breakfast or catering. Adding a geographic element,
such as a city name, is also a good way for local businesses to capture visitors
in their immediate area.
Extending Your Domain Registration Term
While many people renew their domain name registration annually, it is possible
to renew for an extended term. This option, along with auto-renewal services, can
help you avoid losing your domain name due to forgetfulness. Also, search engines
view a long-term domain name commitment favorably when indexing your site.
Electing Private Domain Registration
In today's world, private domain registration is more of a necessity than a luxury.
Yet many continue to neglect this critical component of domain name registration.
For a small monthly fee, private domain registration can keep your personal contact
information out of the WHOIS database, where it is available to the public through
a simple domain search.
Securing Your Domain Name Registration
By locking your domain name, you protect it from both unauthorized activity and
human error - your own. When your domain is locked, a third party cannot transfer
your domain to a different registrar without your consent. Domain locking also prevents
you from making accidental changes to your domain name servers, which can disrupt
your website and business email.
In as little as 30 seconds, Network Solutions' Domain Name Scorecard
quiz can give you an overall score based on your domain name's rating in these six
key areas. You can then use this information to unlock your domain name's full potential
as a business building tool.
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