URL/Domain Name

Once you’ve decided you need a website, your first to-do item isto make a list of possible names for your site. Then run, don’twalk, to the nearest computer, log on to the internet, go to yourfavorite search engine and type in “domain registration.” You’llfind a list of companies such as www.namesecure.com,www.siteleader.com, www.nomonthly.com, www.register.com and the original www.networksolutions.com that will guide you throughdomain registration.

For a modest fee ($15 to $70), you can register a domain for twoyears. Register.com is particularly helpful because, like similarservices, it tells you if the name you’ve chosen is taken, but itgoes a step further by offering a list of alternative names thatare still available. Let’s say that you sell flowers and you wouldlike to register your online name as www.flowers.com. A searchshows that www.flowers.com is taken. Your next choice iswww.buyflowers.com, but that’s already spoken for as well.Register.com offers several alternatives, such aswww.bulbousplants.com, www.flowersplant.com, www.flowerspath.com,and www.digflowers.com. From the available names, choose the onethat’s the easiest to spell and remember.

Once you’ve chosen a name, prompts on the domain registrationsite will guide you through a simple registration procedure. You’llgenerally be offered one-, two- or three-year registrationpackages; choose based on whether you’re completely happy with thename or think you’ll want to switch in a year or so.

Why is domain name registration imperative? Because more thanmillions of new websites are registered each year, and yourpotential competitors are snatching up thousands of domain namesevery day. Everyone wants a catchy name, so registering yoursensures that no one else can use it as long as you maintain yourregistration. For a small investment, you can hold your place onthe internet until you launch.

With your e-commerce name established, evaluate your initialadvertising and office supplies budget, which should be part ofyour business plan. For example, make sure you’ve done everythingyou can offline to tell people about your site before you goonline, such as printing your web address on your business cards,brochures, letterhead, invoices, press releases and advertisements.Stick it on other items, too–mouse pads, T-shirts, promotional keychains and even the company van.