POD For You!

What do I do with my list of possible domain names?

The very first rule of thumb: DO NOT do a domain name search at a domain registrar until you have the money in your pocket and are absolutely ready to register.

I made that mistake early on. I did a search at a popular registrar trying to find a good name that I wanted to register the next week. I spent 30 minutes and finally found the perfect name. What happened when I went back? It was taken! Companies will snap up good domain names that were searched for but not registered. And sorry, but I’m not giving a few hundred bucks to someone just because they think they can gouge the price. Lesson learned.

So what do you do then? Normally, I take my possible domain names and type them into my address bar. If someone owns it and has a site there already, I cross it off my list. If there is nothing there, I circle it as a maybe. Just remember, even if there is nothing there yet doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been registered. Someone could own it already and just hasn’t had the time to build a site.

After getting at least 6 or 7 possible names, I ask my friends for their opinions. What may sound great to you may be ridiculous gibberish to others. Maybe they think it’s hard to spell or remember. If you have to explain what it means, you probably need to cross it off your list. (NOTE: Make sure you ask people that are familiar with your niche. If I had asked my mom about POD For You, she would have asked me what it meant. The people in my industry, however, automatically know that POD means print-on-demand and would understand the name.)

After you have your list of possible names, put them in order from your favorite down to your least favorite. IF you think that you’ll waffle on a name when it comes right down to registering it, do yourself a favor and cross it off your list now. You don’t want to wind up with a name that you’ll ultimately hate (I have 2) OR search to find it open, but be indecisive and kick yourself later for letting it slip away.