rules for web site name

Are there rules for how long a web site name should be? It's time for me to choose a web name/domain name (are they the same?). Of course I chose the book title first because I didn't consider this step and nothing I want is available unless it's really long or so not the title.

Anyone familiar with www.godaddy.com or www.register.com?

I think there are rules re: com or gov or org. You have to be a non-profit or such to use org. Some coms are used up so the provider gives you a net. Yes, I used register to register my site names. Did you research to see if your intended name is parked somewhere? There's not much else I know!

Yes, a domain name and a web name are the same thing. I use godaddy.com all the time for my website clients - they are reasonably priced and provide the exact same services as the more expensive ones. You just have to be careful you don't sign up for more than you really want because they offer you multiple things at checkout.

There is no hard and fast rule for name length, but you want it easy to remember and easy to spell. And, yes, the shorter the better. The longer it is, the more opportunity for people to mess up when they type it.

How about YOUR name, is that available? And did you try the name you want with a dash between words? What is the book title, subject, etc, and I can help with suggestions.

let me know...
Kathy

Actually, you don't have to be non-profit to use .org - no one checks it or anything, so don't believe that all the .orgs out there are non-profit.

Anyone can register any name available with no questions asked, so far as I know.

All the gurus say to get your name.com. Unfortunaltely, mine is already taken. Domain names are fairly inexpensive so you can get a couple of variations and have them all directed to one website. This is helpful if people would easily mistype your URL.

Great info. Kathy, you have web site clients? The book title is
GOT TEETH? A Survivor's Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
I will try the title with a dash - didn't even think about that. Did try BITE ME but it's taken (porn site); shoulda known. I'm going to try more and get back to you. I have questions about my web site. Can I email you?

All the GOT names are taken and have been since GOT MILK appeared. The hyphen is taken. These are the .coms I thought of that are still available:
toothgirl, yrteeth, urteeth, toothwars,
gotteethsurvivorsguide (too long)
getthenitrous - my favorite and my war cry
saundragoodman - my author name but who cares
I have no one to talk to about this. Thank you for helping.

Forgot to mention that all my life people misspells my name SAUNDRA. Spent my life saying WITH A U...WITH A U! When I moved to Florida I tried to get a license plate that said WITH A U, but it was taken. So everyone will misspell it on a webiste, I'm sure.

Saundra, I've been building websites for ten years, you can see my site here:

www.CrowningTouchGraphics.com

Yes, yes, the name is long but I got it in the beginning when I didn't know any better.

Feel free to email me, Saundra. Meanwhile, I'll try to think of some names for your site. I agree with Jane - domains are cheap. I have about 10 for my Rick and June site.

Kathy

These are available:

saundragoodman.com (sandragoodman.com is taken)
teethforyou.com (teeth4you.com is taken)
teethsurvivors.com
toothsurvivors.com

I kind of like the last two. You use one as your domain, and you point the other to your main domain just in case they think it's tooth instead of teeth.

You ought to reserve your own name as a domain while it's available - costs just $9.35 per year if I remember right. Too bad Sandra is taken, or I would say just use your name. But you're right, too many people would misspell it and go to the wrong place.

Good luck!
Kathy

Thanks, Kathy. I'm on to you now.

BITE ME? Oh, too funny!

I'm a non-profit and am a .net

I thought BITEME.com would be appropriate for my book since I couldn't get the name I wanted. I like that you used initials for your site. Nice site, Dianne!

I think I used register.com for mine. I've been thinking about building another site since I can't add or make changes to mine anymore. I made a blog, but I like my site better. It took me so long to build it to where it is, I really hate to get rid of it, but if I do another one I don't want to pay for two. I can still use my luvs2write name if I make another site?

Louisa

If you are the owner of the domain name and remember your username and password, it's simply a matter of "pointing" the domain to your new website. Look in their Help files for keywords such as dns (domain name server) to find out how to do this.

By they way, I'll be out of town Thursday night through Sunday, so I'll answer any more questions when I get back. Saundra, I got your email and will get back to you early next week as well. Off to Palm Springs to RELAX!!

K

Thanks. And have a wonderful time.
Louisa