What domain name should I use, if at all?
Well, there’s the million dollar question (well, maybe the thousand dollar question)! There are so many domain names already taken, but if you are creative, then you can find one that suits you.
And, do you really want to have your own domain. Well, I do because it adds credibility and professionalism to an otherwise meaningless endeavor (at first at least). Too, you can really make a mark with your blog, and it would be a shame if you become famous with your blog, but have a loser name. It can really enhance your market value and brand, if the domain name is catchy and easy to remember.
I thought a lot about this, and tried to get a number of different domain names, but found that the ones related to my blog were gone. At least if you didn’t want to be so blatent about what it is you;re doing. I thought, well, if I tell people I am trying to make money from a blog, then they won’t come. Then I thought, yes, but I have had so much trouble in finding out what to do, if I give them the information that helped me, then maybe they’ll overlook the unabashed way in which I am fdoing it. So, I thought about it, and well, what am I doing? Blogging for money. So, I checked to see if blogging for funds was appropriate (and sounds more honorable), and sure enough, blogforfunds.com was available. Yippee!
So, what’s my point? Try to find a domain name that fits your blog. Try to put the word blog, or blogging, or blogger in it as well. Place it in front of the word you want behind, separated by a hyphen, whatever. The important part is that you keep it simple. To have a name that is too long won’t work well.
Also, try to use keywords in your dmain name that you think people are searching for. Be careful, though, you want quality people to come to your blog (at least I think so, right), so don’t select anything that would give you a reputation you don’t want. This lends itself to thinking about the future.
What is your blog going to be in the future? Will you still be clacking away at the keyboard, writing pithy little sayings like me? Hopefully not. So, think about what expandability your domain name has. Don’t pidgeon-hole yourself into something that you have to stop and rebuild later (although that will be a good problem to have, and one that can be dealt with).
So, what am I saying in short… I would get a domain name to help define you and be marketable. I would choose one that is easy to remember and that contains keywords related your blog. Choose one that reflects your overall goals, even for the future. In the end, though, just do it whichever way you can since you can’t even think about making money without one.