When it comes time to make a domain purchase for your business the name you choose can make or break the early success of your online venture. Choose wisely and it can give an early boon to your Internet business. Choose the wrong one and it could confuse your visitors, loose you sales or even have you ignored by the search engines.

What's In a Name?

In many instances the more specific you get with your domain name in terms of keywords relating to your business the better. For example, an online business that sells only wine gift baskets should choose a domain name which reflects this. 'Winegiftbaskets.com' or winebaskets.com' is likely to bring in more targeted visitors that simply 'carolsgiftbaskets.com'.

The Long and Short of Domain Names

Generally speaking there are two routes a business owner can take when buying domain names. One is to choose the slightly longer, more descriptive long tail domain name while the other is to find a short and unique name for their website.

A long tail keyword, simply put, is a string of words used together to form a specific search phrase. The term "small business loans" is a good example of a long tail phrase. By using a long tail keyword that describes your business when making a domain purchase you greatly increase the chances of your website ranking well in the search engines for that exact phrase.

Your websites ability to rank well for a specific search means you'll have an excellent chance to attract customers that are looking for exactly what you're offering. Of course you'll want to make sure there are a decent amount of people using that phrase each month to make it domain worthy. If you can find a two or three word phrase that gets good search action and is available that is a wise domain choice.

On the other side of the coin is the short and sassy domain name. Companies such as Geico and eBay have had enormous success by choosing a domain name that, while not being terribly descriptive, has ingrained itself into the minds of consumers through a distinct and easy to remember domain name.

While catchy and unique can win you the prize it will take some clever marketing of your new domain to get potential customers to equate your slick domain name with your product or service. If you think you're up for the challenge a short and memorable domain purchase can pay off with a name that brands your entire business with one clever word.

Avoid the Use of Hyphens in Your Domain Purchase

In the hunt for the perfect and available domain name it has become common practice to use hyphens in between words in a domain name when all the non-hyphenated .com and .net options aren't available. While it may be tempting to insert a hyphen in order to grab that perfect domain name it is strongly advised that you do so only as a last resort. For the most part domains with hyphens look tacky, are harder to remember and a nightmare to verbally convey to others.

Whenever possible you should strive to find a .com domain name for your business. This domain extension is most associated with successful online businesses. If the .com version of your desired domain name isn't available it is strongly recommended to search out the availability of the .net or even .org versions before resorting to hyphen use.

Older is Often Better

Just as with a fine wine, aged is often better when it comes to a buying a domain name. Buying a new domain name means you are essentially starting from square one in the eyes of the search engines and search engine placement. On the other hand older domain names often come with pre-existing backlinks from other websites and possibly PageRank, a rating system that Google uses to place importance on websites baring that domain name.

Backlinks, along with a rating system Google uses called PageRank, are likes votes of confidence for that particular domain. When you purchased expired domains all these "extra goodies" automatically come with the package. Purchasing an expired domain may cost you a little more than a new one but it is considered a wise investment in your business' future. Yes, you will still need to market your new business but you'll have a leg up you didn't by buying a new domain.

In the end the type of domain name you buy, be it a longer one or short and sweet, is a personal choice. Both have benefits to them and you'll need to decide which would best suit your budding online business. Yet whichever you choose be aware that your domain purchase is an important part of your all over business strategy and should be treated as such.