At the end of December, we discussed how to play the Domain Name game and choose a smart url for your company’s business. Now, you heeded my advice, picked the best name available, and are currently rolling around in money due to the popularity of your website, right?
Well, stand up, dust yourself off , put that money in the bank, and make sure that you have checked off one of the most important rules in the game. That’s right- you’ve been playing the game, now it’s time to check yourself. And the question is…
1) Have you secured any and all relevant domains relating to your current domain name?
Huh? What? Blank stare? That’s what I thought! Read on so you don’t lose that pile of money….
One of the most important things to do when you buy a domain name is to ensure that you have obtained all relevant domain names so those imposters cannot invade. This includes, but is not limited to, .com, .net, .info, .us, and .org. Example: You own Elephantcake.com and are enormously successful, but *shock*, someone notices, buys Elephantcake.net and makes a killing (although not as big) off your idea. Obviously .com is the most important/popular domain name, but you can arrange it so that oddball who types in Elephantcake.info will be directed to Elephantcake.com. As your mother used to say, better safe than sorry, right?
2) Make sure your domain name’s relatives are secured as well.
I know you are probably scratching your head at who your domain name’s relatives are but I’ll clue you in. Any name that is similar to your own such as Elephantscake, Elephantcakes, Myelephantcake, etc., should be purchased. If you’re planning on really making a killing with your name, some other crafty entrepreneur no doubt will recognize that and scoop up their opportunity to make it big off your idea. In the same way, if you have a unique spelling, make sure to get the original spelling to ensure that your people are coming to your site. And once again, all domain names can be directed to the one specified site that you desire.
Sounds simple enough, right? It is. Just cover all your bases and play on player, play on!
