Do you have a domain name for your website that works for you? I would say that most have a website and with that site, you were probably sold a domain name. If not, head on over to site like Godaddy and purchase a domain name after reading this so you won't be wasting your money. If that domain name is your name or just not very effective, here are some tips to chosing a better one.
Use keywords in your domain name
What keywords are most popular with internet users in your area? Don't guess, rather head on over to Google's Free Keyword Tool which will provide you a ranking of the most popular search terms in your area. Then take those keywords over to Godaddy and see if a domain name similar to that is available. You may have to play with it but eventually you'll find one that works for you. If the most popular term in the area you work is Waxhaw Homes, consider buying something close to Waxhawhomes.com. It may be mywaxhawhome.com
Keep it short - keep it simple
Iamthebestrealestateagentincharlotte.com is just too darned long. I would recommend keeping your domain name to three words or less of possible. Also, I wouldn't boast, use your company's name, or the term REALTOR in the name as NAR will come down on your hard. I've purchased quite a few domain names that I'm pointing to various aspects of my website with the plans to launch mini sites someday. The two I use the most are http://www.charlottehousehunter.biz/ and http://www.findrealestatefirst.com/.
If you are popular, consider purchasing your name and pointing that to your site as well. However, a name domain name like joesmith.com doesn't give as much detail as a keyword domain name like http://www.findcharlottecondos.com/.
Buy it for multiple years
A Multiple year registration will go a long way as to how your site will rank. If you keep going year to year, the search engine may think you're only year to year and choose to not index you at all.
Buy an email along with it
This part has always confused me. In a world where the goal is to promote yourself, why in the world would you not purchase an email account and use it. It's free advertising! In addition, if you leave your current company, you won't have to worry about folks not having your email address. For $10 a year, why wouldn't you? Also, its a heck of a lot more professional that GMoney21684245@aol.com.
Don't keep your domain name a secret
Offline marketing and blogging is very important to a new domain name. When a domain name is brand new, the engines are checking it out to see where it should rank. No traffic means it should rank low so plaster your new domain name everywhere. Make sure its on all of your print material, business cards, flyers, handouts, and online such as your email signature and even here on your blog. However don't just put the address at the bottom of your entry. Rather, make a text hyperlink like mine below. By doing so, you're telling the search engine spiders what keywords.
A few years back, a group of bloggers make a text hyperlink named Miserable Failure and made the hyperlink to http://www.whitehouse.gov/. It worked! If you went to google and typed in Miserable Failure, at the top would be the white house website. Today, Google has broken the link and removed the text from its system, noting it to have been a prank on their programming but it works. So if the most popular keyword for your area is Dupont Circle Lofts, place that at the bottom of any link to your website and then hyperlink your website address.
Jonathan Osman
Charlotte NC Homes, Charlotte Real Estate
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