For the most part you will want to choose a domain name that is the name of your business. However, if your business has a long name such as Smith, Franks, Miller, & Johnson, PC you don’t want to use the full name.  In this case you want to find a shorter domain name that applies to your brand, product or service.

I recommend your domain be less than 15 characters. If it has to be longer try to use fewer words, abbreviate, or use acronyms. I’ve done this with my domain instead of “Small and Medium-Sized Business” or even “Small Business” I just use “smb.”

Brainstorm Possibilities with Ajax Whois

I use Ajax Whois when searching for domains because it is extremely fast to check on availability. Then I use Godaddy to actually register the domain. You can do this by clicking through to Godaddy using Ajax Whois and you can buy a domain for only $6.95.

Watch Ajax Whois Domain Search Tips Video
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXCcm77BNhY

If you can’t find a domain name available that makes sense, your last resort can be to buy one in the aftermarket. Godaddy and other sites offer services to buy and secure a domain name for you.

If you have a preferred domain name that is not available, and you visit that web address and there is no site there, you can try to inquire with the owner of the domain name as to whether they are interested in selling it or not. You do this by looking up the domain using WHOIS. (watch video above for tips on using WHOIS)

Don’t Stop Now, Learn More About Aquiring Domain Names

If you need more in depth help with finding a domain name, I highly recommend Killer Domains: Tools & Techniques to Find the Perfect Domain Name an ebook by Daniel Scocco which carries a full money-back guarantee. Daniel expands on the guidelines I’ve outlined above and provides methods to help you through the process of acquiring a good domain name.

Photo by: Zoe Volt

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Before you go and talk to a bunch of web designers and developers you need to take a serious look at how much money you can afford to spend on your website.

This is important because when you go to a web development firm or freelance designer, they are going to be trying to feel out how much your willing to spend and may try to talk you in to going with a preset solution that they offer for X dollars.

Figure out how much you can honestly spend and still feel good about your investment. This way when you begin to prospect potential agencies or freelancers you know going in what you can afford and what you can’t. This will save time for both you and them when you begin to discuss your project.

It’s Okay Take Baby Steps Towards Your Business Goal

Remember in the previous post we talked about achieving a business goal with your website. Sometimes you may have to take a baby step towards your goal. This is not a bad thing. A baby step can enable you to spend less initially and “feel out” any pros and cons of working with a company or individual.

The step to take will depend on your particular goal, but most firms will be more than happy to do this as they will also be concerned about what kind of client you are going to be. You will need to get some consultation with a web professional who can help you decide what a good first step would be to help you meet your goal. Ask me I’ll be happy to help!

You Get What You Pay For

In most cases you will get what you pay for. Your website is not something I recommend you skimp on. Sure there are low budget routes you can take, but you have to remember that your site is an extension of your business. Your website should embody your values, service/product, and professionalism. It is a powerful extension that can be a competitive advantage or it can be a weakness.

You can have a good site or a bad site. A bad site will actually hurt your reputation and drive away business. People will form an opinion of your business from your website, just as they do when they meet you in person, talk to you on the phone, see your TV commercial or newspaper ad.

Think about how much you may be willing to spend on these other media, if you do it right your website or blog can far outweigh these older mediums in the bang that you get for your buck.

Don’t Go Cheapo

If you have a lot of experience with web technologies then you may be able to save some money and do some work yourself. Otherwise, you need to rely on web professionals to get the job done and ensure that things are done right. This ensures that you get a quality site or blog that embodies your brand and takes a step towards accomplishing your business goals.

This post is the third post in the series The Path to Online Success for Your Business.

Photo by David Beyer

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If you don’t have a website you need one. Dell reported on their We Mean Business show that 63% of all small businesses have a website. I don’t know what the other 37% percent are spending their marketing dollars on, but they need to realize that it is 2008 and if you don’t have a website, you’re leaving out a critical aspect to sustaining long-term success for your business.

Old People Use Phone Books My Gen Uses iPhone

If you ask my baby boomer parents to look up the phone number to order a pizza they will grab the Yellow Pages. I in contrast will grab my iPhone or web browser and search. On the iPhone the phone numbers are actually links that will dial the number for me. The times they are a changing get on the bandwagon now, my generation has a whole different mentality. You need to have your business listed on Google and Yahoo and have a website so that users can learn about your product or service in detail.

Your Current Website Can Be Improved

Now if you do already have a website there are ways that you can make it better. In reality maintaining a successful website is a never ending job. You have to constantly evaluate metrics and conversions to determine what is working and what’s not. A purpose-driven website can be a real competitive advantage no matter what your market or specialty.

How to Determine the Type of Site You Need

So we agree you need a website. Now you’ve got to ask yourself one question:

Ask yourself, what business objective do I need to meet with my website?

I’m talking about a goal. A goal for your website. Can you think of one?

I can’t really answer this for you as it will vary depending on your business type and the current site you have or lack thereof. I’m not even going to offer examples. I don’t want to limit your imagination. Think about this and look at your favorite sites on the web that do things you think could benefit your business and accomplish your goal. Take your goal and favorite sites to a qualified web development firm or ask me for feedback.

This is the third post in a series on The Path to Online Success for Your Business Yes, I skipped over the MSN business listing post. Don’t worry we’ll come back to it.

Photo is of Toby a Springer Spaniel residing in East Nashville

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Over the next few weeks I’ll be going through each of the following steps one by one. This series of posts will be a guide to creating a successful online presence. Think of this as a quickstart guide to getting up and running on the web. Even if you already have a website you can plug in on the step where your business is currently at. Here’s the topics we’re going to cover:

The Essential Steps

1. Create a Local Business Listing on Google, Yahoo, and MSN
2. Determine Why You Need a Website
3. How Much Money to Spend On Your Website
4. Choose a Domain Name
5. Gather and Create Content
6. Plan Information Architecture
7. Research Web Development, Hosting Companies and Freelancers or Do-It-Yourself
8. Install Google Analytics
9. Create Online and Offline Marketing Strategy
10. Maintain and Grow your Web Presence

Extend Your Success

1. Setup Google Apps or Zoho
2. Setup a CRM software
3. Engage with Social Networking and Media

Now is a great time to subscribe to this blog and get updates automatically in your feed reader. You can also bookmark this page if your interested in this series as I’ll be linking to each topic from this post. Please give me some feedback by leaving a comment or contacting me. I’ll gladly answer any questions you have!

Photo by alicepopkorn

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