Great domains for designers, developers and other web pros
As a web professional, your clients turn to you for help with everything from designing their logo to securing their WiFi network. Even for naming their business online. You’ve probably suggested smart domain names for all kinds of businesses — from creative enterprises to nightclubs. And you’ve likely heard your share of domain duds.
But what about your own web address? Is it working as hard for your business as it could be?
Take a page from the online instruction manual that you share with your clients: Give your domain the attention it deserves. You know it’s the unique digital nameplate that marks your presence on the Internet — a key brand element that can set you apart in a cyber sea of competition.
A smart online naming strategy involves exploring numerous domain options and, in many cases, registering more than one domain to represent your business online.
Why register multiple domain names?
You’ve got a .com domain and yes, it’s a bit longer than you’d like (am I right?) but you’re happy with it. Great. The traditional .com remains the most popular domain extension and enjoys widespread recognition. If you can get a great .com, you should.
That said, there are a few reasons you might want to grab additional domains:
To pivot for growth. Say you’re an IT consultant and you’ve got a website at yourbusinessname.com and/or yourbusinessname.consulting. Within the past few months, you’ve noticed a serious uptick in the number of healthcare clients seeking your services. You can register another domain name — like yoursbusinessname.healthcare — that highlights this service niche. Doing so might help your search engine ranking when potential customers search for healthcare IT services online, driving more traffic to your website.
To protect your brand. One easy way to help protect your brand online is by registering multiple domain names. Simply put, if you own a domain, your competition doesn’t.
To identify with a local market. If your IT consulting firm serves clients in a specific geographical area, it’s important to make that local connection clear in your website address. We’ll talk more about geo-specific domains soon.
To identify with a specific industry. The availability of hundreds of new industry-specific domain extensions makes it easier than ever before to highlight your affiliation online.
Domains for designers and other pros
Now, let’s look at some specific domain name extensions that can help you be more successful online if you’re a web professional.
The local edge
Since an astounding 97 percent of consumers turn to the web to find local products and services, it also makes sense to register geo-specific domain names. Design websites in Las Vegas? Pick up yourbusinessname.vegas to tell potential customers what you do and where you do it at a glance. Audit network security for small businesses in Brossard? Snag an ultra-descriptive website address ending in .quebec. Maybe you’re a reseller of online products such as domains and web hosting, with a customer base that spans the globe; make your global reach clear with domain name that ends in .international, .global or .world.
Sell products or services online?
If you happen to sell products through your website, you might benefit from an e-commerce domain extension. Check out options such as .bargains, .deals, .discount and .sale.
New naming opportunities
Still can’t secure that perfect website address? No worries. New domains become available all the time, so patience and perseverance can pay off. If you’re a GoDaddy customer, it’s easy to sign up to follow extensions like .app, .cloud, .dev and .download so you’ll know right away when they’re available for registration. Plus, a wave of previously unavailable domain names with a variety of popular extensions now are hitting the market. Get ‘em while they’re hot!
Like you probably tell your web clients all the time, it’s a piece of cake to point different domains to the same primary website. This can help your business gain greater visibility, more traffic, and, ultimately, more customers. Name on.