Every modern business needs a website. Having an online presence is one of the most important ways customers find out about a company and check its legitimacy. It's also how most people prefer to make contact. However, before you invest in a web hosting service, build the web pages, and start promoting it, you'll need to get a domain name. If you're having trouble deciding on one, here's what you need to know. 

How to Approach Your Business Site's Domain Name

1. Make It Memorable

A good domain name catches people's attention and stays with them. Aim for something short that can be easily spelled out phonetically whenever possible. Avoid hyphens and numerals unless your business name uses them, as these are harder to remember and often confuse people. Having a shorter domain name is also useful for other branding materials, making it easier to fit on online graphics, banners, business cards, and ads.

2. Choose a Fitting Extension

A domain name's extension is whatever follows the period. The most common are ".com", ".net", and ".org." These stand for "commercial," "network," and "organization," respectfully. For most people, ".com" is best because it's the most well-known, but depending on availability, you might need to use something else to get the domain name you really want. If you have a web hosting service register the name for you, they'll let you know what's available. 

Many businesses can also benefit from ".co," which stands for "company." If you're a freelancer trying to set up a portfolio with your name, ".me" is a fun option if someone has the ".com" already.

3. Incorporate Keywords When Appropriate

If your business name is fairly short, you might want to incorporate some relevant keywords. For example, if you're in the HVAC business, "heating" and "cooling" might be good additions if they aren't already in your company's name. Having these keywords will not only help you differentiate yourself from the competition, but they also help with search engine optimization, more commonly known as SEO. This is the practice of strategical keyword usage to help websites rank higher on search results pages, which is an essential step in today's online landscape.

If you already have a domain name in mind but need a web hosting service, contact TSC. For over a century, they've provided telecommunication services for businesses and residents throughout Wapakoneta and St. Marys, OH. When it comes to hosting, they offer a variety of packages and features, which you can learn more about on their website. Other than web hosting, they also offer high-speed internet, telephone, and cable TV services. Call (419) 739-2200 to speak with a team member about your business's needs.