How to choose a domain name

Before you rush out and choose your domain name or name your website, you might want to consider the following points:

1. Write down the name of your business. Remembering that short and sweet domain names are the easiest to remember, create a list of possible names using your business name (for example, smithauto.com, smauto.com, smitheys.com).
2. Create a list of services your business provides and a list of possible names from those services (for example, autorepair.com, fixcar.com, brokedown.com).
3. Use catchphrases from your brochure and other promotional materials to create additional possibilities.
4. For personal domain names, use your name, your pet's name, your hobbies, your surname or even your child's name.
5. Visit the Whois Web site (www.whois.org). Using Whois, you can type in your favorite picks and see if they're taken and by whom. If they are taken, keep trying with your alternate choices.
6. Use other organizational suffixes, such as .net or .org, if the .com name is taken. However, since users randomly searching for your site may be directed to the .com site first, .net and .org names are usually best for personal rather than business domain names.
7. If you're really set on using a domain name that has been taken, contact the owner of that domain name by checking the Administrative Contact section on the Whois site. Domain-name owners sometimes sell domain names they don't use.