After conducting extensive and detailed Market research, you should have the information you need to determined your most effective keywords/phrases. If this is the case, you are ready to purchase a complimenting domain name.

Ideally, your final domain name choice will be consistent with your keyword selection, brand building efforts and search engine marketing strategy. With that being said, here are some additional factors to consider, before purchasing your domain name:

• TLD or Top Level Domain: This is the extension that appears at the end of a domain name, such as dot com, ca, net, org, etc. All other factors considered equal, a dot com name will (often) sell for nearly four times the otherwise equivalent domain; registered in any other common global extension. Global extensions include dot net, org, and info. The dot mobi extension, utilized for content to be delivered to mobile devices, is rapidly gaining value and popularity. Some country specific domains, such as dot co.uk and dot de (Germany) are very prestigious, and can, in certain instances, command high prices. It is hoped that one day the dot tv extension will be used in connection with Internet enabled TV. Until hardware, distribution, and media companies are able resolve profit-sharing differences, sales of these domains will only result occasionally in high prices.
• Number of Words: Single “real word” domains (no misspellings or abbreviations), can be enormously valuable; particularly when accompanied by the dot com extension. Two word domains, without misspellings or abbreviations, are also quite valuable if the domain name is easily monetized, and the TLD is of high quality. The values plunge when considering domain names with more than three words.
• Content: Domain names containing misspellings, abbreviations, hyphens, special characters not found on a standard keyboard, or other text oddities often have very little value. Domain names containing a phrase that is trademarked are very likely worth nothing. The registered trademark owner could be in a legal position to summarily confiscate the domain from you.
• Can The Domain Name Be Monetized? Website monetizing is the process of converting existing traffic into revenue. In this application, how attractive is your domain name to motivated online consumers? Will the name itself generate traffic? The extent to which a domain name can be monetized, has a major influence on its value. Domains in the Sex, Financial, and Health industries often top the list; in terms of high value sales.
• Generic vs. Non-Generic: Generic domains are generally more valuable than non-generic ones. A generic domain name is one that contains only real words (found in a dictionary), and has no contribution from proper names (first or last). Popular generic dot com domain names can be immensely valuable, and for the most part; are very difficult to secure.
• Number of Letters: Three letter dot com names can be the most valuable, even if they mean nothing. However, four letter dot com names usually need to be pronounceable; to have any value. They do not need have to be real words found in the dictionary. For example, a cool sounding four letter dot com name, can promote your company brand; even if they are created. When your domain name reaches five letters or more, the value is driven by the quality of the word or words (generic vs. non-generic, etc.). When surpassing 8 or 9 letters, the value tends to decrease substantially; unless the domain name is in high demand.
• Branding: Domain names that are easy to say and remember, easy to type in, highly reflective of predictable monetizable content, and/or generate a lot of “type-in” traffic- people typing your domain name directly into the address box in their browser, rather than finding your domain via a search engine; are highly sought after. These domain names have been known to sell for significant sums of money.

Choosing the right domain name, is much like selecting a suitable plot of land, on which to build your first home. It is an investment. Seek out a nice neighborhood that is well priced, and shows real promise for the future. Above all, have confidence in the name you have chosen.

Connect with Kristoffer Howes, for more Internet marketing and brand building tips, strategies and advice.

A Web Hosting service allows individuals, businesses and organizations, to make their own website accessible to Internet visitors; via the World Wide Web. The application of Internet hosting services varies according to your individual need. Insome instances, clients may consider include other Web hosting services, such as email accounts, databases or multi-media services; for streaming audio/video.

A basic hosting option available to website owners, is webpage or small-scale file hosting service, whereby files can be uploaded directly to the website; using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) access, a Web Content Management System, or a Web interface. If a Web interface or control panel is provided as part of the hosting service, managing the Web server and installing scripts, as well as other services like e-mail; will be a breeze. Furthermore, some hosting providers may offer specific software or services (e.g. blogging e-commerce, WordPress, Zen Cart, etc), that make installing platforms; just as simple.

Before shopping for the most effective hosting plan, you must first evaluate the immediate and future website and Internet marketing needs of your company or organization. Such considerations should include database server software, scripting software, and operating system. To assist in the proper selection of an appropriate hosting plan for your online endeavor; here is an outline of the five (5) most viable options:

1. Shared Web Hosting Service: With this cost-effective option, your business’ website is placed on the same server as many other sites. The number of other occupant websites can range from a few hundred to several thousands. Typically, all domains will share a common pool of server resources, including RAM and the CPU.
2. Virtual Dedicated Server: Also known as a Virtual Private Server (VPS), this option divides server resources into virtual servers, whereby the server’s resources can be allocated in such a way; as to not directly reflect the underlying hardware. Companies using this hosting option, may have root access to their own virtual space, and in some instances, may be fully responsible for patching and maintaining; their Virtual Dedicated Server.
3. Dedicated Hosting Service: This option provides individuals, businesses and organizations with their own Web server. Although typically the company/person does not own the server, this approach does provide full control over root access for Linux; and administrator access for Windows. Another type of Dedicated hosting is Self-Managed or Unmanaged. This is most often the least expensive of Dedicated Server plans. In this instance, the hosting client has full administrative access, and is ultimately responsible for the security/maintenance of the dedicated box.
4. Cloud Hosting: This approach is a new type of hosting platform, which provides powerful, scalable and dependable hosting; based on clustered load-balanced servers and utility billing. This innovative option, removes single-points of failure and allows customers to pay for what they use; instead of what they could use. In regards to bandwidth, a hosting provider may charge a flat rate per month or charge for bandwidth used. A very common payment approach, is to charge hosting customers for the 95th percentile bandwidth.
5. Home Server: In most cases, this method of hosting is powered by a single machine, placed in a private residence, which can be utilized to host one or more websites; from a consumer-grade, broadband connection. These can be machines constructed for this purpose, or more commonly) an old PC. If you are considering this approach, be aware that some Internet Service Providers (ISP) will actively attempt to block home servers, by disallowing incoming requests to TCP port 80 of the Internet connection; and by refusing to provide clients with a static IP address.

As a website owner and hosting client, your primary concern will be the dependability, or “up-time”; of the hosting services you are purchasing. The hosting up-time, refers to the percentage of time the host is live on the Internet. Many hosting companies offer consumers a 99.9% up-time guarantee, which is roughly the equivalent of 45 minutes of allowable downtime; per month. However, hosting providers rarely mention the server restarts and planned/unplanned maintenance schedules, associated with any hosting environment; and as such, this may not be considered part of the advertised up-time promise. Be certain to research the fine print, and ask questions when you are unsure.

Connect with Kristoffer Howes, for more Internet marketing and brand building tips, strategies and advice.

When selecting a website host, website owners and webmasters should make themselves aware of server or hosting obstacles, that when encountered; can negatively affect search engine optimization efforts.

• Server Timeouts and Slow Response Times: If a search engine requests a webpage, and it is not returned in a timely manner (or produces a server timeout); it is not likely to get indexed. This will most often result in an unfavorable/reduced ranking. As such, you can see the importance of ensuring that there is no significant down time, for your server or website. Not only are web crawlers unlikely to wait for webpages to load, but Internet consumers will very quickly choose to visit another Internet resource; if accessing your website is problematic. My guess is that you have 10 seconds at most.
• Shared and Blocked IP Addresses: Three (3) common concerns include: server speed, failure to receive the full benefit of valuable inbound links and the potential for untrusted neighbors; to share your IP address. As search engine web crawlers travel the web, they frequently discover IP addresses which contain unwanted content (web spam). Rather than discount each individual website, search engines will simply block the IP address; or range of IP addresses.
• Bandwidth and Other Limitations: Does your server have limitations set on the amount of web traffic that can travel to the website? In most cases, if you exceed your allowance, your website hosting is suspended; and search engine web crawlers are prevented from indexing. Furthermore, do not overprotect or restrict access, to files that would limit a search engine spider’s ability to effectively crawl/index; your website or webpages.
• Geographic Location of Server: Search engines will consider the location of a web server, when determining a website’s relevance to a local search query. As such, it is strongly recommended that you acquire hosting in the target country; where your content is determined most relevant. If you are using a dot com and shift hosting to another country, you may experience undesirable effects on your search engine results; in some parts of the world.

Popular search engines such as Google, will reward businesses for providing excellent customer and digital PR services; to Web crawlers and search clients. A quick and efficient host server, encourages spiders and robots to find, crawl and properly index a website. This means your webpages are indexed regularly, and consistently updated by search engines; promoting better results in relevant search queries.

Connect with Kristoffer Howes, for more Internet marketing and brand building tips, strategies and advice.

On the morning of April 9th, 2010 Google (the world’s most popular search engine) announced that they were including a new variable; in their evolving search ranking algorithms. What was the new consideration to be? Website speed. The speed factor that they spoke of, referred to the new importance placed on exercising an efficient and speedy website response; to an impatient search engine request.

Improving website efficiency and speeding up response time, has become increasingly important to search engines, a majority of Internet users; and in-turn, website operators. A quick website response time, to user generated requests, has been proven to encourage satisfied Internet visitors; and reduce website operating costs. Internal studies conducted by Google, showed that when a website responded slowly; visitors spent less time there. As you can imagine, this is an undesirable result for most anxious website owners; and determined webmasters. By this practice, it appears that Google is rewarding websites, for providing efficient and excellent customer service; to Google web crawlers and dependant search clients. With that being said, improving the speed of your website’s response to queries, you could improve your overall search engines rankings.

Perhaps more importantly though, a quick and efficient website consistently works to improve everyone’s experience on the World Wide Web. As you know, many consumers are seeking a fast solution; to their immediate problem. How quickly can you get them the answer?

Google applies a number of systematic approaches, and accesses a variety of prudent resources, to determine the speed of your website; relative to other websites. To closely monitor Google’s assessment of your website’s performance, you can view valuable information in the Labs; of your Webmaster Tools. If you do not have a Google account, go to the Google Home page; and select sign-in from the top right. Create and verify your account. In Webmaster Tools, select Labs. Site Performance actively displays the speed of your website, as experienced by Internet users; throughout the world. Utilizing this valuable and informative data, website owners and webmasters can study and improve their overall website speed, efficiency and performance.

Aside from improving the user’s website experience, website speed does not carry as much weight as relevant webpage content, link popularity, website traffic; or even meta data. In fact, there are fewer than one percent of search engine queries, currently affected by implementation of Google’s new website speed signal. Furthermore (at this point), the website speed factor only applies to visitors searching in English; on Google.com. For some webmasters and website owners, this represents their focus and target marketplace; and as such, is worthy of consideration and review.

Connect with Kristoffer Howes, for more Internet marketing and brand building tips, strategies and advice.