Choosing the right domain name is like naming a child, except for the fact that domain names can only be used once. This is very frustrating when you have a great idea to create a website and give it the perfect name, only to find that either someone is already using it or holding it ransom for a ridiculous amount of money.

I don’t know about you but I don’t think it is worth it to spend thousands of dollars to purchase a name. There have been many companies that have simply made up names to combat this, like google and twitter. There are many tools on the internet to aid in the creation of a name like domainsbot, nametumbler, and NameBoy just to name a few. When using these sites all you have to do is type in a few keywords or a phrase and the site will recommend some names.  Next to the name recommendations you will also see if the name is available for registration.

Many people wonder if they need a .com domain.  The short answer is YES.  The .com extension is the most widely known and trusted top level domain. The best case would be to purchase .com, .net, and .org to protect your name.  If you still can’t find a name try using a hyphen.  Breaking up a domain name into two words separated by a hyphen will net you two keywords in the domain name and help with your site SEO.

When you find a name that you love the next step will be to register that name.  There are many registrars out there and most are reputable.  The main thing to look for is if they are ICANN certified.  Two registrars I would recommend checking out are Namecheap and Godaddy.  Both of these registrars have been around a long time, offer competitive prices and have easy to use control panels.

Having your domain name separate from your web hosting is always a good idea unless your host provides you with a free one, then it’s a no brainer.  Keeping the domain separate will allow you to have total control over your name allowing you to point it wherever you want or sell it for a ridiculous amount of money .