Domain Suggestion Help - Dotable

agua · 9th October 2007, 05:18 PM

Hey - how's things?

I got a client who has already registered his business name. He then came to me and asked me to register the domain. When I checked them - the .com & .net had gone, but his country domain was still available.

His main market is his own country and another (this domain was also available).

Do you reckon he should go with his country domain and the other country domain and risk losing some business by not having the .com, or do you think he should rethink his business name?

Aussie Bob · 9th October 2007, 07:10 PM

Hmmmm, that's a tough one. It depends how much it would cost to change the business name. Might be better to go with his business name and the country extension, given his market is in his own country.

Josh · 9th October 2007, 07:15 PM

I'd say it depends on the country.

Research I've read has shown that in some countries, the average consumer will first try the country domain, then look at others if not found. Other countries it seems to be the opposite and people first try the .com then look at others.

I'll see if I can dig up the paper on it, but I have a feeling it's on one of the backup drives that's at another location, in which case I won't be able to easilly.

agua · 9th October 2007, 08:06 PM

The country is Aus

Josh · 9th October 2007, 08:31 PM

As I recall, Australia was one of those that were on the fence in the survey with about equal numbers going either route.

I'd say grab the .com.au and the other country extension

Perhaps he could also get some "keyword" domains in the .com extension which could point to the .com.au

agua · 9th October 2007, 08:47 PM

I think I agree Josh... I have sat with many a client who always puts the .com.au when not sure about the url... like you say probably a 50/50 split - nice idea with the keyword domains though - thanks

Aussie Bob · 9th October 2007, 09:38 PM

What would be involved in them changing their business name? If that's a simple and inexpensive option, then look at that. It's best to have the .com and the .com.au, but not imperative. Depends how you market etc.

waldo · 10th October 2007, 12:11 AM

Definitely get the .local extension - as far as I'm aware, when Google searches for 'only results from this country' it either depends on the server being located in that country or the site having the relevant county specific domain extension.

I think the keyword domains are a good search engine boost too.

I'd be wary about re-branding just to find a suitable domain; depends on current business presence and how established the brand is - I guess it's worthwhile if their site is going to be a big marketing tool or they will depend on it for the majority of their business.

Just my tuppence

Reesy · 10th October 2007, 01:20 AM

So im wondering do subdomains carry the same weight?
Example you set up a load of keyword.yourdomain.com and redirect them all to yourdomain.com
Is this considered black hat/ Grey Hat/ White Hat?

Better I guess would be keyword.com and redirect that to yourdomain.com

Just some random thoughts.....

Josh · 10th October 2007, 03:35 AM

I've got a feeling Google will penalise you for that.

9th October 2007, 05:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
agua Saturn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 369	Domain Suggestion Help Hey - how's things? I got a client who has already registered his business name. He then came to me and asked me to register the domain. When I checked them - the .com & .net had gone, but his country domain was still available. His main market is his own country and another (this domain was also available). Do you reckon he should go with his country domain and the other country domain and risk losing some business by not having the .com, or do you think he should rethink his business name?

9th October 2007, 07:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Aussie Bob Dotable Founder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Land down under Posts: 4,068	Hmmmm, that's a tough one. It depends how much it would cost to change the business name. Might be better to go with his business name and the country extension, given his market is in his own country. __________________ Please review Dotable at the following review sites - HostJury.com \| WebHostingStuff.com

9th October 2007, 07:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Josh Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Farnham, Surrey, GB Posts: 836	I'd say it depends on the country. Research I've read has shown that in some countries, the average consumer will first try the country domain, then look at others if not found. Other countries it seems to be the opposite and people first try the .com then look at others. I'll see if I can dig up the paper on it, but I have a feeling it's on one of the backup drives that's at another location, in which case I won't be able to easilly. __________________ Joshua Powell

9th October 2007, 08:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Josh Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Farnham, Surrey, GB Posts: 836	As I recall, Australia was one of those that were on the fence in the survey with about equal numbers going either route. I'd say grab the .com.au and the other country extension Perhaps he could also get some "keyword" domains in the .com extension which could point to the .com.au __________________ Joshua Powell

9th October 2007, 09:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aussie Bob Dotable Founder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Land down under Posts: 4,068	What would be involved in them changing their business name? If that's a simple and inexpensive option, then look at that. It's best to have the .com and the .com.au, but not imperative. Depends how you market etc. __________________ Please review Dotable at the following review sites - HostJury.com \| WebHostingStuff.com

9th October 2007, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
agua Saturn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 369	The country is Aus

9th October 2007, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
agua Saturn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 369	I think I agree Josh... I have sat with many a client who always puts the .com.au when not sure about the url... like you say probably a 50/50 split - nice idea with the keyword domains though - thanks

10th October 2007, 12:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
waldo Cross Hare Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 476	Definitely get the .local extension - as far as I'm aware, when Google searches for 'only results from this country' it either depends on the server being located in that country or the site having the relevant county specific domain extension. I think the keyword domains are a good search engine boost too. I'd be wary about re-branding just to find a suitable domain; depends on current business presence and how established the brand is - I guess it's worthwhile if their site is going to be a big marketing tool or they will depend on it for the majority of their business. Just my tuppence

10th October 2007, 01:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
Reesy Current Location: Mars :) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 259	So im wondering do subdomains carry the same weight? Example you set up a load of keyword.yourdomain.com and redirect them all to yourdomain.com Is this considered black hat/ Grey Hat/ White Hat? Better I guess would be keyword.com and redirect that to yourdomain.com Just some random thoughts..... __________________ Cheers, James

10th October 2007, 03:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
Josh Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Farnham, Surrey, GB Posts: 836	I've got a feeling Google will penalise you for that. __________________ Joshua Powell

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