Domain names and grocery stores While I don’t think we’ll ever see gift cards for domain names next to the chewing gum and tabloids at your favorite supermarket- I always bring up the following scenario when consulting with agents about choosing their domain name.
“Imagine you and I were to bump into each other at the grocery store and I happened to notice you were a REALTOR. We start up a conversation and at the end you tell me to visit your website because you didn’t have your business card on you. Is your domain name easy enough to remember; easy enough that I can put my groceries in my car, drive home, put my groceries away, sit down at my computer AND remember what you said your domain name was?”
Chances are pretty good that your domain name is not memorable- Sure your friends and family can remember YOUR name, but could a total stranger? Is your domain easy to remember and spell hours after hearing it during a conversation?
Here are three tips for choosing a great real estate domain name:
DO NOT use your name as your domain name- If you’re fortunate enough to be named Tom Cruise you probably have a good chance that someone would remember that- but if you’re like most people your name is not that memorable. Plus consider your exit strategy. It’s very difficult to sell your brand and business to Bobby Brown if you’ve built the business around Suzie Stone. Today it's more important that your domain reflect your product offering - your domain should be about what you offer, not just your name.
DO NOT use abbreviations in your domain name. Isell4u.com might be a great domain name, but every time you tell someone your email address or website address you’ll have to say “the letter I sell, the number four and the letter you dot com.” Don’t have a giant asterisk on your domain name that needs explanation every time you tell someone how to reach you.
DO NOT select a primary domain that is not a .com. If the .com is not available it is tempting to purchase a .net or .info – just remember that most consumers will not remember that you said something other than .com and will visit your competition's website.
DO include your location or unique value proposition in your domain name. While you may find that OrlandoHomes.com has already been taken- you could luck out with a really great domain name if you throw in some adjectives- like beautiful, affordable, amazing, great- A domain name like GreatOrlandoHomes.com would be the start of an amazing brand.
DO choose your domain name wisely! The decision should never be rushed. Chances are your business will shift throughout your career, you’ll change your headshot every couple of years, and maybe even change brokerages- your domain name should out live all of these changes and be something that grows in value year-after-year.
If you’re having a hard time choosing a domain name I’d be happy to review your list of domain choices and help you make a decision you’ll be proud of.
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