How to Avoid Acquiring a Bad Domain Name for Your Business
Having a strong online presence is all about know how to market your business, your products, and your services. While your web design and website content play a big role in marketing your business online, one of the most efficient marketing tools is your domain name. Your choice of domain name can have a resounding effect on your turnover rates, traffic rates, and the way your company and brand name comes across to consumers. Read on to learn how to avoid getting a bad domain name for your business.
Don’t step on any toes
Choosing a good domain name usually hinges on choosing a domain name that doesn’t conflict with trademark holders, copyright-protected material, or other businesses. A good practice to avoid legal issues is to make use of online trademark searches, such as the one offered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Choose a name that is completely unique to your business and what your business has to offer to consumers.
Generic names can be unique
Another strategy that many website makers use is to choose a generic domain name. For example, an online chocolate store may find it advantageous to get the domain “www.thechocolateshop.com”. Generic domain names are advantageous because they are often easy to remember, they rarely break trademark rights, and they directly advertise what your business is about. Having a generic domain name can also help in getting better search engine optimization, because your website will pop up when consumers search for keywords relating to your business.
File the trademark registration for your business
Once you have chosen a domain name and you have made sure it does not break and copyright or trademark laws, you should register the trademark for the domain name you have chosen. File this application for registration as soon as possible to avoid any trademark or domain name disputes in the future.
Related questions:
1. Is there a criteria for choosing domain names?
2. What kind of penalties can I face for accidental trademark infringement?
3. How much would it cost for a generic domain name?
4. What do I do if I find someone has infringed on my trademark protected domain name?
5. How does my domain name affect my online business?
6. What happens if my trademark registration is denied? Will I face legal charges?
7. Can I buy multiple domain names to keep my competition from using similar domain names?
8. Are there studies that prove how successful generic names are for domain names?
9. Do domain names differ from one web host to the next?
10. How can I ensure that I will keep my business domain name when I switch to another web host?
Related sites:
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How to Deal with Internet Addiction – Dealing with an addiction to the Internet
Website101 — Choosing a domain name for small businesses online
Proyectos de Tecnologia Informatica SRL — Tips on choosing domain names