Domain Names...Choose Carefully

There's a fantastic amount of information online about the value of a domain name, the preference of a *.com/*.net moniker, matching your domain to your business, etc. That said, it should surprise me to know there are sites out there that, innocently or otherwise, chose a virtual home with a less-than-fitting address.

After some extensive research (meaning a dear relative sent me an email), I've compiled a short list of sites that could have...possibly...perhaps...done a little homework before registering and loading up a site. If you need to find:

1. The name of an agent representing a specific celebrity, the company you're looking for is "Who Represents". The website is http://www.whorepresents.com/
2. An expert to field a question about programming/coding, one choice online is the "The Expert's Exchange. The website is http://www.expertsexchange.com/
3. A terrific pen for that distinguishing individual. You can browse through "Pen Island" online at http://www.penisland.com/
4. A professional to wander through the six inches between your ears, there's an website dedicated to connecting patients and therapists. The website is http://www.therapistfinder.com/
5. Someone to talk to at the Italian Power Generation Company (PowerGen). The website is http://www.powergenitalia.com/
6. Great ideas and artistic resources are your at "Speed of Art". The website is http://www.speedofart.com/
7. Vacation ideas in picturesque Lake Tahoe...visit http://www.gotahoe.com/
8. A great dentist, the domain is on the mark http://www.perfectsmiles.com/ - you get the sense they could have spent a little more time on the toll free mnemonic? 888-ANUSMILE.

Registering a domain is a lot like buying real estate. You need to do some homework, fiddle around with options and possibilities and, perhaps most importantly, ask the advice of a few people that have lived in the neighbourhood for awhile.

On the other hand, of course, it's entirely likely that the Pen Island folks understood that there may be additional traffic to their site because they know how search engines work. I would love to learn how many people hoping to find "Penis Land"....were actually converted to buying a pen?

And, for what it's worth, if I worked at PowerGen Italia...you'd be seeing that website on T-shirts and hoodies.