So far we've convered what you need to know to get your website started. Hopefull you made a good decision and signed up for a WebStarts.com account. If not you can click here to do that now. One of the biggest decisions you'll need to make when setting up your website is choosing a domain name. A domain name is your web address on the internet. (Example: YourOwn.com). There are four primary rules you should follow when choosing a domain.

1. Choose a domain name that has something to do with your business.

A lot of company ignore this, especially tech companies. It's possible to experience success online when your domain name has nothing to do with your product or service but it's the exception - not the rule. Try to keep things simple for your prospects. If you're selling golf equipment then Golf.com would be about the best domain you can get.

2. Choose a domain name that's easy to spell.

This get's a bit tricky because most of the common word domain names have been snatched up. Common words are easy to spell because they're the words we read each day. If you can't find one available to register don't get too frustrated. A domain name is a critical piece of your business so it may be worth it to find someone who has the domain name you want and attempt and purchase it from them. I once bought a 5 character domain name that was easy to spell for $500. You'll be surprised how many people are just sitting on domain names and would be willing to sell them for a reasonable offer. I have a specific method for locating and contacting the owner of a domain name I'll share with you later.

3. The shorter the better better.

Human beings have short memories. The longer you make your domain name the harder it will be for someone to remember what it is and the more likely they will be to enter the wrong one by mistake. Keep your domain name as short as possible. Of course once again this may require you to purchase a domain name from someone. Think about ways you can shorten the domain name, for example maybe you can register the acronym for your business as opposed to the full name.

4. Go for a .com.

The chances of you finding a domain that meets all the prior criteria is small. So you may be tempted to settle for something ending in other than .com. But let me tell you it's better to compromise something like the domain length or spelling and get a .com. If you register a .net or .org or something else your prospects are still going to try you at the .com extension. So it's almost like you're giving away a percentage of your marketing efforts. There's nothing wrong with registering .net, .org., and other domain extensions if you already own the .com. But do what it takes to to settle on a .com domain name.

In summary I suggest you take your time and choose a proper domain name. If you can't find one available then take the extra step to buy one. As I told you earlier I have a very specific method for contacting domain owners when I'd like to solicite a purchase from them. I'll share that with you in the future. For now you should sign up to create your website at WebStarts.com. It's really the first step you need to take. Once you've setup your free account click on the "Add Domain" button in the dashboard and you'll be able to search for an available domain.