Choosing a Domain

We have created a list of some of the things you should consider when registering a domain name.

Keep it short

Although some domain names can be up to 63 characters, you have to keep in mind that people need to be able to remember it, and easily type it into their browser. Try to register the shortest name that your customers and visitors will associate with your website. The general rule of thumb is, keep it under seven characters if possible. (Not including the suffix.)

Dot What?

There are many different extensions available right now. For businesses, we recommend .com, .co.uk or .biz suffix.

Register Your Domain NOW

You must register soon unless you want to get stuck with "the-domain-name-that-no-one-wants.net". You do not have to have a webmaster or an e-commerce department or a web design consultant ... you don't even need a web page. Just contact NSES and register before you lose the opportunity to get the name you really want.

One May Not Be Enough

Sometimes, it isn't a bad idea to register several similar domain names, particularly if you own a trademark for a certain name. If you have "yourname.com", register "yourname.co.uk" so no one else takes it. You can register your full company name and a shorter, easier to remember version.

It is also a good idea to register variations, common misspellings and even adverse version of your preferred site name so as to stop your competitors, ex-employees or disgruntled customers holding you to ransom. It happens visit www.microsuck.com. Examples of domain names that should be purchased for a company called Refurring 4 Cats Ltd would be:

refurringforcats.com
refurring4cats.com
refurring-for-cats.com
refurring-4-cats.com
refurring-four-cats.com
refurringfourcats.com
refurringforcatsltd.com
refurringforcatslimited.com

as well as

refurringforcatssucks.com
refurringforcatssux.com
ihaterefurringforcatssucks.com

Remember with NSES hosting you don't need a separate web page for each. Several domains can point to the same website using domain name mappings.

Character Types

Just a reminder. Domain names can only use letters, numbers, and dashes. Spaces and symbols are not allowed. Also, domain names are not case sensitive.

And remember, if you think that you have found the right domain name, but you're not quite sure if it's the one... register it anyway before someone else does! Because you're in competition with the rest of the world.