Thread: Domain Myths

For someone like me who is still learning about the domainersphere, I benefit from reading articles aimed at the "newbie." I came across an article that discusses five myths about choosing a good domain name. So whether you're about to buy a .IN, a .COM, or a .UK domain name, this article might come in handy.

Here are my thoughts on a few of the domain myths:

Myth #2: a good domain name tells exactly what the business is all about. Right?

Wrong again. What is a Google? What does an Amazon have to with shopping? Skype? What the heck is a skype...?

I assume the disadvantage is that you need to do a lot more brand marketing for such names. What's your opinion?

Myth #4: a dot-info, dot-biz or a dot-whatever extension is as good as a dot-com.

No. it is not. Well, okay, a dot-info is as good as a dot-com if you don't mind if that the search engines completely ignore your website. But if you are serious about this, a dot-com is the only way to go.

With regard to TLDs, I agree that .INFO and .BIZ are not as good as a .COM. However, my understanding is that if it's a strong one-word domain, then it can compensate for a weak extension. For example, Health.info is a decent domain (I realize there might be some traffic leakage to the .COM). I'm curious, would you buy Health.info or pass because it's not a .COM?

There is no mention of ccTLDs in Myth #4. Many ccTLDs have proven how valuable they can be. For example, .UK is a strong ccTLD – it does well in the search engines, and internet users in the UK use this extension a lot. In a few years' time, .IN will also be a domain extension to be reckoned with.

What are your thoughts, and do you know any other domain myths?

Most people aren't aware that if the domain they want is already taken, they may still have a chance to buy it in the aftermarket...

Can you tell us how to buy the same domain in the after market? How is it possible? Do you mean us to buy once the domain gets expired? Also what will happen if the same person does the renewal after one year? I am not able to make up with the information.

one myth which I have come across a lot while dealing with end customers is that they still feel that .IN or .UK domains are restricted to only Indian or UK customers..they also feel that if they register a .IN domain..they will not be able to access it from anywhere outside of India..thats one reason they want to have a .com domain

Thanks for sharing this great info. You guys have actually opened up my eyes. I too felt that .in or .cn domains are restricted to Indian or Chinese customers. I knew that people can access these domains from anywhere in the world but I thought that Indian would not be interested in .cn domains and vice versa.

Originally Posted by cogbuddy

Can you tell us how to buy the same domain in the after market? How is it possible? Do you mean us to buy once the domain gets expired? Also what will happen if the same person does the renewal after one year? I am not able to make up with the information.

You can simply contact the owner of the domain name and ask them if it's for sale. Sometimes the domain is just parked. Sometimes the domain owner is willing to sell the domain for the right price.

Ideally, you will come to know if the domain is for sale by visiting the website..or if that is not the case..then you can just mail the registrant asking him if he wants to sell it or not..however, it is always advisable to buy/sell a domain using an escrow service..

" I assume the disadvantage is that you need to do a lot more brand marketing for such names. What's your opinion? "

With domain names like that, I think what they're trying to do is use creative names to imbed into your minds so you won't forget. Who wants to use a search engine called "Finders!" Instead of Google. Google sounds more interesting and more people would want to flock to it just to see what it's about.

When I first heard of Dogpile.com, I had to go see what it was. It's a very good search engine, by the way.

Creative name - can't forget it.

I came across another great list of myths to add to this thread: Domain TLD and Trademark Myths - Webcrowd. One of the myths listed:

Another Domain Name Myth: If you want to build websites that people can access by their cell phone or PDA you need to get a .MOBI domain name. Just like dot tv does not give you any special capability for television or multimedia, dot mobi does not give you any special tools for mobile-capable websites. Any website on any TLD can provide content to cell phones and PDAs if it is made compatible for them. Many will lead you to believe that dot mobi somehow gives you the advantage when it comes to cell phones and PDAs. it doesn’t.

Also, you can create a sub-domain on your main website for your mobile-friendly content (eg: m.cnn.com).

good stuff..I too have come across the .MOBI Myth wherein people were only buying it because they wanted people with PDA's to view them..