Advice on a domain name please

silaren

Lil306 wrote: »

What about a shorter version like glosplumber?

Mainly because if people are like me they mess up the spellings on places ending in 'shire

That's true for people typing in a domain name directly from a business card, leaflet or brochure. But it will probably feature poorly in Google's search engine unless "glos" is an extremely popular abbreviation for Gloucestershire!

@Invicta - it might be worth doing a straw poll to find out what people would type into a search engine to find someone like you. Or even how they would find you in the first place. Would they go online? If I were looking for a plumber, I'd probably grab the Thompson or Yellow Pages. I'm not sure if I'd type <location> + plumber into Google. And I use Google a lot, but not when searching for local tradesmen.

Invicta

Once again thnak you for your advice.

This is all very new to me so getting a good understanding of the options and implications makes it so much easier to select the best way to go.
This is just one of the ways I am advertising my services but I still want to make it as effective as possible.

I've also come across various organisations which offer Hosting services e.g. technology-partner.co.uk, for around £50 per annum.
Has anyone any experience to share on using these type of services please?

Thank you,
Bernard

googler

Look at namesco for registering and hosting your domain. They're UK-based, I use them myself.

Just out of interest, since everyone is assuming from your example that you're a plumber, could you confirm or deny that's your actual line of business?

InsideInsurance

Whilst it is right that many of the biggest companies do use a brand name rather than a simple keyword rich domain name they also tend to have multimillion pound Search Engine Optimisation budgets which can fairly easily compensate for the URL.

For a small business it can be worth getting the free help of using a keyword rich domain but it is possible to also have a brand named one and simply 301 the brand to the generic thus having something nicer looking on business cards/ vans and something better for search engines online.

debitcardmayhem

I would select plumbcrazy.co.uk catchy and not registered , you heard it here first and give me the thanks I deserve :wave: oh and £50 to the injured jockeys fund

silaren

InsideInsurance wrote: »

For a small business it can be worth getting the free help of using a keyword rich domain but it is possible to also have a brand named one and simply 301 the brand to the generic thus having something nicer looking on business cards/ vans and something better for search engines online.

Sorry to disagree but I wouldn't advise this. In my experience, people don't like redirects or websites that 'do stuff' that they're not expecting - changing the domain name into something else might look like you're trying to pull a fast one. Goes back to the credibility issue.

All this is opinion though and we could probably debate about it until the cows come home!

Jemma-T

Decide on your domain name and register (buy) it at somewhere like www.123-reg.co.uk (£7 for 2 years all in if .co.uk).

You can then worry about the other stuff (they'll happily add sevices for you but you're not obliged) although you seem to be making a lot of it.

Once you register the name you control it and you can divert it anywhere you like (and get free diverted email etc). Your full details will appear on the Whois so be aware of that.

There's not much point in wasting your time with Google and I'd guess anyone telling you different will be wanting money off you.

Maybe if you can say (a secret? Not a good start) what your business/skills are people could comment further. If it's a small business I'm guessing it always will be and -again- anyone telling you you can make a fortune is wanting money off you.

Get the domain name. It's the start of things.

Invicta

I have taken all the advice into consideration and have decided to go with the following:
Domain name = £12 every 2 years.
Web site, accessable to all devices/platforms plus hosting service which includes access for me to ammend content = £49 per annum.

I work within a 20 mile radius so radical/costly site optimisation isn't a cost effective tool for me.
My web site will be a showcase not a virtual shop so investment in it must, for me, be in line with and support my other more traditional forms of advertising.
I also do garden design, coppicing, hedge laying, etc so will continue to watch where the focus of my site should be.

I am actually a gardener but as David Cameron recently announced to the nation that my profession is classed as menial work I chose Plumber for the example as I wanted my request for help to be taken seriously. Mr DC might be right or wrong but it is my livelyhood he is talking down. Which makes me wonder why he paid over £6,000 to get some Wysteria pruned at his home but that might be deemed contentious?

So my sincere thanks to everyone for your help,
Bernard

Hoseman

Jemma-T wrote: »

Decide on your domain name and register (buy) it at somewhere like www.123-reg.co.uk (£7 for 2 years all in if .co.uk).

You can then worry about the other stuff (they'll happily add sevices for you but you're not obliged) although you seem to be making a lot of it.

Once you register the name you control it and you can divert it anywhere you like (and get free diverted email etc). Your full details will appear on the Whois so be aware of that.

There's not much point in wasting your time with Google and I'd guess anyone telling you different will be wanting money off you.

Maybe if you can say (a secret? Not a good start) what your business/skills are people could comment further. If it's a small business I'm guessing it always will be and -again- anyone telling you you can make a fortune is wanting money off you.

Get the domain name. It's the start of things.

I wouldn't say Google is a waste of time. People search for local products/services and this can be a good way to reach them. A website as a showcase is great but taking advantage of SEO can have some added benefits and especially for the wide range of services on offer.

silaren

Invicta wrote: »

I am actually a gardener

Lots of pictures and recommendations. After every job, get people to give you feedback you can publish and get permission to take photos of the work - before, during and after. Sign up to Twitter and tweet about it. Sign up to Facebook and amass followers. Sign up to LinkedIn and network professionally. Blog about it (with the client's permission). These are all free ways to get your name out there but require an investment of time. Make sure you put your website domain name, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blog address on every bit of business stationery and advertising (as appropriate space-wise), including your email signature.

Best of luck!