Monday, July 31, 2017

4 Reasons to Consider a Domain Name Change for Your Startup

New top-level domains are going to be the digital real estate of the future. 

Contributed By:

Guest Writer
Online Marketing Strategist

Source: Entrepreneur


I remember back in 1994 when a friend asked if I'd like to buy a domain name. I had no idea what that meant, so I turned down his offer. And that turned out to be a big mistake. The domain offered (www.dog.com) is probably worth $2 million now. Later, I worked for Hotels.com when that company purchased its iconic domain name for a reported $11 million; and that's when it became very clear to me that an incredibly brandable domain is one of the keys to a successful business.
That's now so much the case that, these days, the best keyword domains in .COM are sold out, and that's why I believe that new top-level domains (TLDs, meaning the last part of the website name, like .COM) are going to be the digital real estate of the future.
I'm not a domain investor myself, but, after spending 10 years in internet marketing working for companies like Expedia, the travel company, and Partner Fusion, a leading marketing and technology incubator, I've seen many signs pointing to the value of new exact-match 
domains.
For instance, a recent study found that choosing a relevant domain extension can potentially help a website rank well for specific keywords, resulting in dollars saved on paid marketing.
Ultimately, whether domains end in .COM, .INFO,.FORSALE, or .LIVE, they all stand on equal ground when it comes to SEO performance. I have to believe that Google's search results will always value high-quality domain names because of someone like me. Specifically, I'm investing a lot in a domain name and am also likely to invest in developing a high-quality website that will be relevant to users.
The startup I'm currently building aims to modernize real estate marketing, and is scheduled to launch this summer. To position myself in the market, I opted for the exact-match domains www.homes.forsale and www.houses.forsale. They weren't cheap, either: I worked with Name.com and purchased the domains for $90,000.
But I'm hardly alone in paying a premium for an exact-match new domain; others are being sold for five or six figures each, including www.video.games for $183,000, and www.personalinjury.attorney for $60,000. Companies like Stream.Live have even gone through a complete rebranding, with StreamLive spending $20,000 on its new .LIVE domain. These figures come from the domain company Rightside, which recently released a snapshot of many of its $10,000-plus "Platinum Domain" sales.
Our expectations of the online user experience are changing as we get savvier about navigating to exactly the things we want; and relevant TLDs are going to be a big part of that. People will see my Houses.forsale domain name and say, "Oh, that's exactly what I'm looking for." Of course, you can always pay for online advertising and search-engine placement, but we exact-match domain owners will have a huge advantage over the competition.
The reason: A high-quality, exact-match domain means we won't have to pay to get as many clicks. We saw some early evidence of this when one of our pages accidentally got indexed by a search engine while it was still in development. Within a day, we already had a potential client find us organically!
What I don't think people realize is that there's an entire world out there of domain investing going on behind the scenes; and it's been going on for 30 years, back to the time when the first .COMs started popping up.
The most perceptive of those early domain investors made millions merely by identifying the highest-quality domains. And there's still a tremendous opportunity to invest in TLDs, as the world moves beyond .COM. That said, I'm not just looking to buy low and sell high, although that option has been tempting. I feel that building-out a business on top of a brandable domain is where the real value is right now, and the right domain name can represent a huge amount of the equity in your particular business.
Overall, brandable new domains confer some amazing advantages to successful businesses, including:
1. Flexibility in choosing a name
The pool of short, memorable .COM domains is shrinking rapidly, but that doesn't mean that you can't secure an amazing name for your business. Overnight, new domains have increased the availability of possible names a hundredfold.
2. More memorable names
The potential uses for meaningful new domains, like .FORSALE, .SOCIAL, and .MARKET, are virtually limitless. Every word in your domain can and should be relevant to your brand.
3. Increased web traffic
When you use meaningful, relevant terms in a domain, people will be more engaged with your brand. That's going to help drive more traffic to your site, and will boost your search result rankings.
4. Reduced online marketing costs
Because new domains drive organic web traffic to your site, you'll be less reliant on expensive search engine placement and other online ads.
  

Friday, July 28, 2017

Do's and Don'ts of Securing a Domain Name

Consider these six tips from small-business owners and experts before deciding on a website name. 

Contributed By:

Guest Writer
Writer and editor

Source: Entrepreneur


Navigating the world of domain names can be a daunting task if you're not up to speed on how to get one. With countless caveats and hosting companies out there, it's easy to be overwhelmed or worse, make a mistake that could ultimately cripple your business.

Consider these do's and don'ts from small-business owners and experts to help secure your company's domain name.

Do: Include a location or keywords in your domain name, if you can.
If your business focuses on a geographic region, try to put the location into the name of your domain, says Jean Bedord, a Silicon Valley-based search consultant and author of the book I've Got a Domain Name--Now What??? When Mikalai Krivenko needed a domain for his painting business in Hoboken, N.J., in 2009, his son Yuriy, a Jersey City, N.J.-based search-optimization specialist, suggested he put "Hoboken" in the name. For $11, Krivenko bought hobokenpainter.com, which shows up at the top of keyword searches that include "Hoboken" and "painter." Whether it's location, or what your company does, Krivenko advises: "Put the most important keyword for your industry in the domain name."
Do: Register yourself as the owner of the domain name.
Some business owners make the mistake of not checking to ensure whoever registers their domain name does so under the business owner's name. It's very important to be sure you are the domain owner and administrative contact, says Bedord. "It's just like a piece of property. If you don't own the property, you can't sell an existing business," she says.
It's an obvious, yet common, mistake made by business owners. Three years after Graham Hunt, 44, started his real estate firm Valencia Property in Spain in 2000, the two-person web design team he hired to build his site split and he had to choose between them. Hunt soon discovered the partner he didn't choose had registered himself as the owner and administrative contact for the domain name, so Hunt didn't own his own website. It took three years and he ended up paying the disgruntled partner nearly $6,000 in sales commission fees to get back ownership of the domain, which originally cost just $15.
Do: Remember to renew your domain name registration.
When Nick Hoffmann, 32, missed the renewal of his networking company's domain name inetguru.com in 2000, it was a crippling business blow. The name got bought by someone else and without email access through the site, Hoffmann lost contact with clients. Eventually, he folded the company. Now working as chief operating officer for an aftermarket marketplace for domains, Hoffmann suggests buying a registration for five or 10 years upfront, or setting up an annual auto-renew payment. Just make sure the credit card on file doesn't expire, another common mistake that might lead to losing a domain name. "The whole aftermarket industry is based on names that drop off," he says. "It happens every day."
Don't: Use dashes, abbreviations or numbers in your domain name.
Instead, come up with a catchy name that's easy to remember and captures your business. Fan Bi, co-founder of Blank Label, a Boston-based online custom dress shirt company learned that lesson when settling on a domain in 2008. At the time, blanklabel.com was out of his price range at $15,000. Bi chose blank-label.com for a much cheaper $250. But as the business grew, he realized the hyphenated name was far from the best choice. "You get much more word-of-mouth if it's a name you can easily say without having to spell out," Bi says. Last year, after months of negotiation with the domain owner, he was able to purchase blanklabel.com for $6,000. Just three months after the change, website traffic shot up 25%.

Don't: Waste money on extensions other than .com.
When you register your domain name, you'll be bombarded with offers to purchase other versions like .net and .co. For most small businesses, that's not needed. Investing in other extensions becomes important when patenting something or protecting a trademark, says Bedord. If you think a competitor might want the .net version of your domain name, for example, consider taking it first. "The reality is you have to pay for every one of those," Bedord says. "The value is really in the .com."
Don't: Buy a domain without checking into its past.
Even available domains can be exposed to legal trouble if the name is too similar to another company's trademark. Nearly a year after launching New York-based LEEDTeacher in 2009, Zachary Rose learned the domain LEEDTeacher.com infringed on the registered trademark of a massive nonprofit. Rose, now 29, received a cease-and-desist letter demanding he change the name of his green jobs training firm, and shut down the website. He ultimately paid $2,000 in lawyer fees, renamed the company Green Education Services and switched the domain to GreenEDU.com.
Aside from consulting a lawyer, check www.whois.net, which lists registered domain names, for other possible legal landmines, suggests Rose. The site also includes expired domains up for grabs, and you can learn what problems a name comes with. For example, if a previous domain owner violated a Google term and was banned from Google searches, you'll want to know before investing in the name, Rose says.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

3 Keys to the Right Domain Name for Building a Brand

In a changing internet environment, new generic top level domains are on the rise. Here's how to snag one that'll make an impression. 

Contributed By:

Guest Writer

Serial entrepreneur, angel investor, founder of Brandsight

Source: Entrepreneur


Domain names have been at the forefront of the digital experience for 20 years. They provide the real estate for businesses to build their online presence and provide doorways for their customers to find them.

Now more than ever, choosing which domain names to own is a complicated and critical task for startups and seasoned businesses alike. This complexity can be attributed to the fact that most dictionary words in .com have been taken: According to the latest figures from Verisign, close to 130 million .com domain names are already registered.

To add to the confusion, the internet space now has hundreds of new generic top-level domains, also called gTLDs. As we broaden from .com, .org, .net and .co.uk to .art, .blog, .google and .walmart, we open the doors to many new opportunities.

Transforming cyberspace

New gTLDs are in their infancy, and we’re just starting to see their adoption take hold. Undoubtedly, .com is still king, and if you can secure your .com variation, you should do it.

But over time, new gTLDs are expected to become more relevant and could perhaps change the way that consumers globally seek out and consume content online. When well-chosen, domains can be sticky and memorable. A fine jeweler who chooses .diamonds makes an instant connection with prospective clients. Just one simple extension can speak loudly as a branding vehicle.

Some people and businesses are purchasing names in these new domain name extensions in hopes of future paydays, but others are interested because new gTLDs are hyper-relevant to certain verticals. For example, it would make sense to the customers of a store that sells dog-related products to use a .dog domain name. Just look at the designer pet products company Zee.dog, for example.
Similarly, a business that focuses on providing care to others may want a .care domain name. Dedicated Senior Medical Center, which owns multiple senior facilities, chose to register, use, and advertise www.dedicated.care.

Neither of those businesses could have registered the .com variation without first acquiring it from the existing owner, and so the new gTLDs presented opportunities for them to acquire both cost-effective and more relevant names online.

Choosing wisely -- and early.

What holds companies back from pulling the trigger and buying the right domain names today? In some cases, it’s a matter of oversight. They simply don’t know which ones to buy or perhaps haven’t even thought about the name being available until after the brand is selected or the startup decides on its company name. No matter the reason, if you wait to purchase the name you want, it will typically only get more expensive the longer as time passes.

The goal of every small business or startup should be to secure the most relevant domain names early on in the process of building the brand. This includes vertical-relevant new gTLDs and investing in the right .com, even if it means spending $500, $5,000, or $50,000 for the right name. Here are three keys to selecting domain names in a changing internet environment:

1. Investigate new gTLDs focused on a singular marketplace.

Tailored domain name extensions and variants are rising, but that doesn’t mean companies should register all the options. Founders should actively investigate and register with those extensions that make sense, focusing on their core offering.

For example, a new venture funded cash-back company DOSH launched its website as DOSH.cash. Acquiring Dosh.com should be something that the company seeks to do sooner rather than later. Dosh.com does not appear to be used today and perhaps could be purchased for a reasonable sum. While the .cash version is hyper-relevant to its business, having both that and the .com would help to 
protect and promote the company’s brand online.

2. Purchase a .com.

From a broad consumer perspective, .com remains the gold standard. Therefore, startups should consider owning the .com variation, as well as relevant new gTLD extensions. It may mean using a portion of one’s hard-fought startup capital on a domain, but it will be well worth it to do sooner as opposed to later.

Just look at the previous example of Zee.dog. While the .dog domain successfully captures the company’s core value and tone, the website still redirects to a .com address. This rewards the team with the benefits of the better-known address while retaining the catchy .dog name.

Related: 12 Domain-Name Debacles: 'Hillary Potter' for President and More

3. Work with a valuation company or third party if necessary.

Want a certain domain name? Resist the temptation to approach the domain name owner as yourself; instead, find an intermediary. Many domain owners are professional investors, and meeting them on their playing field makes the most sense. Working with a partner that understands the art and science of domain name negotiations can save you time and financial resources.

In the coming years, these new gTLDs will likely become more commonplace, and foresight will have its rewards. To separate yourself from the competition, think to the future. Your business’ success could be on the line.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

People Judge Your Brand Before They Even Know What You Sell

Which ice cream flavor is smoother and creamier, Frosh or Frish? 
Contributed By:

Guest Writer
Founder of BusinessNET

Source: Entrepreneur


Take a look at the two shapes below. One of them is a kiki, whereas the other is a malouma. Can you decide which is which?

If you described the shape on the left as the kiki and the shape on the right as the malouma, you’re in the majority -- about nine out of 10 people agree with your judgment.

But why is this the case? Given that neither “kiki” nor “malouma” are real words, why does it seem so clear which shape corresponds to which word? The answer lies in a phenomenon called sound "symbolism," which is the concept that certain sounds inherently convey certain associations -- even if they don’t actually mean anything.


For instance, vowels like “ee” and “i” are associated with smallness, whereas ones like “o” and “uh” generate a sense of largeness. This is why we say words like “itty bitty” or “teeny tiny” describe very small things, and words like “humongous” to describe really big things.


But sound symbolism is more than just a fun factoid to mention at cocktail parties. As noted by Michael Rader, founder of .com brand name marketplace Brandroot, sound symbolism can bear huge consequences for startups deciding on what to call their brand. Here’s why -- it shows that we make judgments about words before we know what they mean, simply based on how they sound. A “kiki” is sharp and jagged. A “malouma” is soft and round.

Rader explains: “Sound symbolism means that people are generating associations with your brand name before they even know what you sell -- so it’s crucial to choose a name that fits your brand.”
The effects of sound symbolism go way beyond kikis and maloumas. To demonstrate this, let’s do a quick experiment. Suppose there are two cars -- a Braddo and a Briddo. One of them is a large SUV, and the other is a sporty convertible. But which is which?If you’ve identified the Braddo as the SUV and the Briddo as the convertible, you’re in good company, according to research done at UT San Antonio.

That 2004 study found that front vowels (linguistics jargon for sounds like the “a” in Braddo) are judged to be quicker and more lightweight than back vowels (sounds like the “i” in Briddo).


The same study found that people thought Nillen was a better name for a knife than Nallen, whereas just the opposite was true when the product in question was a hammer. Again, this is sound symbolism in action. People simply have an intuitive feeling that certain sounds match certain characteristics, like weight or or sharpness.

In fact, Rader cites an entire chart of sounds and what they symbolize, which he uses when advising his clients on which brand name best suits their company’s goals. “For instance, the Z sound is associated with quickness,” Rader notes, “which is one of the reasons why ‘Zumba’ is such a good name for a high-energy aerobics program.”


Research about sound symbolism in brand names is still in its infancy. But the work that’s been done thus far suggests that it can affect far-reaching and specific domains, such as speed, thickness and even creaminess.

A recent experiment found that participants rated a hypothetical ice cream brand called “Frosh” as more likely to be smooth and creamy than one called “Frish” -- without ever having tasted either of them.

Indeed, certain sounds carry certain associations, even when we don’t know what the words mean. And this is wildly important for startups deciding as a brand. Imagine how disastrous Kiki Mattresses would be (or, even worse, The Malouma Razor Blade Company).

Names matter. Especially in an increasingly competitive market, it’s important for startups to make sure that their brand name consists of sounds that are congruent with their message.


Tuesday, July 25, 2017

10 Ways for Small Businesses to Dominate Local Markets

There are several ways small businesses can better position themselves to compete in the local market.

contributed by:

Guest Writer
Content Marketing and Social Media Strategist

Source: Entrepreneur


Most small businesses need more consistency throughout the year to survive in the increasingly competitive marketplace. Fortunately, there are several ways small businesses can better position themselves to compete in the local market.
1. Small business tips online.
According to a study from Bazaarvoice, roughly 39 percent of in-store shoppers research a product online before buying at a physical location. This means that your small business must have an online presence in order to compete locally. How can your small business improve its online presence?
Related: You do not need to break the bank to have a professionally looking website for your business. Get one now!
2. Improve your local SEO.
Focusing on improving your small business’ local SEO will help generate more traffic to your website and ultimately, more leads and sales for your business. With roughly 97 percent of consumers going online to search for local businesses, why wouldn’t you make SEO a priority? Additionally, Google is placing more emphasis on local search with prominent local results floating at the top of targeted search queries. With that said, Google has altered their local results to focus on the top three businesses for a specific search. This means, while difficult, getting your small business inside the top three results can result in tremendous return on investment. To get started, make sure you register your business with Google and Bing Places. Other considerations to improve local SEO include, hyper-local content creation onsite and offsite, outreach and publisher partnerships with local websites, optimizing your website (NAP, keywords, etc.) and strategic social media management among others.
3. Increase online reviews.
Online reviews are a critical part of your local search rankings, not just on Google and Bing, but also sites like Yelp and Facebook. Additionally, online reviews are the modern version of word-of-mouth advertising and can persuade new customers to use your small business, or to not use your small business. In fact, roughly 67 percent of consumers reported that their purchasing decisions were influenced by online reviews. Thus, it’s important to perpetuate reviews from your customers, especially if you know they had a positive experience. Consider adding calls-to-action on your receipts or training your employees to ask for reviews on your Google+, Facebook and Yelp page.
4. Use email marketing.
Email marketing is an undervalued resource for small businesses. It gives you a scalable tool to communicate with current, previous and potential clients. In fact, it seems like most small businesses put more energy into social media than email, even though email marketing is estimated to yield three times higher results and a 17 percent higher value in conversion. Consider using a free email marketing resource like Mailchimp or Constant Contact.

5. Target paid local results.
With local search getting increasingly difficult, it might make sense for your small business to consider pay-per-click (PPC) options like AdWords. PPC is when you pay for each individual customer that visits your website after clicking a specific advertisement. The best part is, you can optimize PPC campaigns to target affordable, yet actionable keywords in specific geographical areas. PPC lets you get your advertisement in front of highly targeted keywords in your local market, which will increase your conversions.
6. Small business tips offline.
Brick-and-mortar locations are the staple of small businesses. Even in the increasingly digital world, there are several offline tactics that can help small businesses excel.
7. Become active in the community.
Small businesses are often considered to be “backbones” of their respective communities. As a result, local companies can differentiate themselves by staying active in local affairs. In fact, 82 percent of consumers consider corporate social responsibility as an important factor when making purchasing decisions. As a start, you can join your local Chamber of Commerce to find relevant events in your target market. If you really want to make a splash, consider sponsoring a local event or charity. Social activism in your local community is an excellent marketing tool and a great way to gain positive PR.
8. Target local government contracts.
The government sets aside specific contracts for companies that are designated as small businesses. If your business qualifies, you should consider going after local opportunities. Winning a government contract can provide a stable and consistent revenue stream to supplement other clients. The SBA states that the law requires the government to award 23 percent of their contracts to local businesses, which amounts to roughly $115 billion annually. Winning these contracts are not a given, and you’ll need to devote time and energy into understanding and finding opportunities, as well as creating compelling proposals. However, the risk vs. reward is substantial if you’re able to win a government contract.
9. Focus on the customer experience.
If small businesses are the backbone of a community, then customers are the heart of small businesses. As such, it is vital that your small business focus its efforts on providing the best customer experience possible. Cox reports that 90 percent of U.S. consumers frequent small businesses at least once a week. Furthermore, 63 percent of the respondents said that they feel a strong need to support local entrepreneurs. This is mostly in part to the convenience, customer service and social equity of local businesses compared to corporations. As a result, small businesses can dominate their local market by providing incredible customer service, convenient operating hours, a friendly atmosphere and the inclusion of customer opinions and feedback into strategic decisions.
10. Don’t be afraid of change.
Change is one of the hardest things for small business owners to accept. However, an inability to adapt to changing trends can kill your small business quicker than any competition can. In fact, autonomy and flexibility are two benefits that small business have over corporate competitors. The bureaucracy of larger companies can make it difficult for pivots or strategic changes, but as a small business with a typically flat management style, you are able to adapt on the fly. CRM and other integrated data systems can provide small businesses the insight needed to see trends in their operations. This will help you capitalize on opportunities and prepare for imminent threats.
Life as a small business owner can be difficult. With the saturation of local markets and the increasingly globalized economy, the external pressures forced down on small businesses can seem insurmountable. However, there are several strategies that small businesses can focus on to improve their competitive position. Remember to market yourself online, continue to improve your relationship with customers and never be afraid to change.

Monday, July 24, 2017

3 Tips for Choosing the Right SEO Agency

To survive, startups must make themselves visible online. Getting seen is going to take expert help.

Contributed By:

Guest Writer


Source: Entrepreneur


Getting a startup website off the ground is the necessary first step to solving the visibility puzzle. With nearly every company these days putting heavy focus on online aspect of business, it’s becoming increasingly competitive to get a new brand in front of as many eyes as possible.
According to imFORZA, 93 percent of online experiences begin with a search. Therefore, omitting search engine optimization (SEO) from the marketing mix is simply not an option. When a strategy is properly executed, it can work like magic to provide opportunities that may not have presented themselves otherwise. This is why it is crucial for young businesses to invest in SEO early on to get the ball rolling.
Here are three tips to keep in mind when choosing an agency. 
1. Gauge the portfolio before reaching out.
If you look at the website of an SEO agency, you will most likely find a number of case studies or a list of businesses they’ve worked with in the past. Even though there are certain reasons for some clients to remain private, many have no problem with putting their link on an agency’s website. After all, it’s free publicity. But, if there is no list of clients or any indication they’ve worked with actual companies, this is a potential red flag.
Looking at an agency’s portfolio helps you understand what types of businesses it serves. Look for patterns related to your niche. For instance, if you are a law office and you see the agency has worked with a number of other firms, it shows they are experienced within your industry and know what it takes to see fruitful results. Conversely, if they have a portfolio spanning across a wide range of industries, this is a good sign they are a versatile agency and can easily adapt.
2. Examine and develop your goals.
Once you’ve identified a number of potential agencies, you need to have a firm direction written up before making contact. What exactly do you want an SEO strategy to accomplish? Typically, such goals might be to increase exposure, boost leads or gain more conversions.
While these are great, you need to go a step further and provide tangible figures that define success. For instance, how many unique visitors per month are you aiming for? What is the exact number that will justify your ROI?
“The key to getting the best results is promoting client-agency transparency in terms of goals," says Eddie Madan, CEO of EdKent Media. "While we always expect to sit down give clients our best recommendations, the process goes much smoother when everyone is on the same page from start to end.”
Keep in mind, SEO is not a field where you generally see results overnight. In most cases, it’s a slow process that requires consistent effort. As important as you overarching goals are, you need to have a clear roadmap developed with reasonable KPIs to judge your success rate. Without it, an SEO agency will find it much harder to help you.
3. Conduct a background check.
When you are looking at the testimonials on an agency’s website, they will most likely be the most outstanding success stories. While these are always good for reference, you need more to judge a company. 
The stories you want to hear are those from the average clients. What was their experience with the company? If you can, try to get a hold of at least three businesses that have used the agency’s services. In addition to asking about the end results, you will want to get a feel for the day-to-day interactions. 
Ask for their honest accounts: Were they good with communication? Did they deliver on their promises? Did you feel like a priority? Also, check out the agency on the Better Business Bureau to see if they have a clean reputation.
Choosing an SEO team is similar to hiring a new employee. You need to consider third-party opinions to get a better impression of whether there might be a good fit for you.
Don't fall in love.
Choosing a company to do your online marketing is an extremely important task. As many experts will tell you, the search engines are constantly changing, and it takes a keen eye to stay on top of the trends.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is not to fall in love. The last thing you want to do is jump the gun and choose an SEO agency that ends up wasting your time and money. As a startup, you are putting a lot of faith in whoever you select. Don’t agree to work with the first one you talk to. Be picky!

Related: You do not need to break the bank to have a professionally looking website for your business. Get one now!