I’ve been a Connecticut blogger for years now, and if I had to choose a domain name again, I wish I knew then what I know now.  The domain name Moomettes Magnificents is an extension of the online boutique I once started on the road to becoming a work-from-home mompreneur.

Now that I do know how to find a domain name better, I’m more selective when registering a domain name for the multiple blogs that I write.

It’s easier than ever to get started blogging. But the first thing you need before you begin is an idea for your domain name.

What Is A Domain Name?

It’s the “www (dot) SOMETHING (dot) com” that people will type in to get to your blog. It’s like your address.

There are some standards for what is a “great” domain name, though, verses one that makes you wonder what on earth that person was thinking!

In order to help you to come up with a great web name that you’ll love for years, here are my unbreakable rules for choosing a domain.

1. No hyphens. Avoid dashes and hyphens. I’ve been there. Done that. Regret it to this day.

2. No numbers. Do I spell it out “seven” or is it the number “7??

3. Avoid words that are difficult to spell. Although I once was really excited about using a domain with the word “catalyst” in it — I found that no one could spell the darned thing.

4. Domain should end in .com. I don’t bother with other endings like .info or .biz. People tend to type in .com at the end of everything, so it’s usually best to stick with a .com ending.

5. Domain must NOT have any copyright names in it. I would not recommend using “Starbucks”, “Disney”, or any other company name in your URL or you may get a “cease and desist” email. Yes, even though you’re starting as a little mom blogger, eventually you might get huge. So, it’s best to plan for success in advance and avoid using trademarks in your URL.

6. If I’m looking to sell your blog down the road, it must be generic enough. For instance, I wouldn’t buy “NicoleKnowsFootball.com” to talk about my favorite football team if I planned to sell the site ever, because I’d have to find someone named Nicole to buy it.

And my big, bad unbreakable rule.

7. It must pass the Oprah test.

What exactly is the Oprah test? Well, I picture Oprah saying it out loud. “Today I have with me, Nicole Dean, author of Blah blah blah and owner of NicoleontheNet.com”. Is it memorable? Easy to spell?

You can’t do that with MyNumber1-BestHome-Remedy-Treatments4New-Mothers.net.

Why is this Important?

A difficult domain is actually wasted opportunity and wasted traffic slipping through your fingers. If you’re promoting via audio or video (maybe on podcasts or on YouTube) – you need a domain that is EASY to remember. It has to make it into the person’s ears and to his brain and stick. Heck, even if you run into an old college friend and say “Stop by my site www (dot) somethingcool (dot) com” – you’ll want her to remember long enough to actually come to your blog, right? So, make it simple. Make it memorable. And you’ll be glad.

Plus, honestly, it’s a credibility issue. Would you really buy something from MyNumber1-BestHome-Remedy-Treatments4New-Mothers.net? I hope you wouldn’t even think of getting out your credit card for a site like that. SCARY. And would you feel comfortable referring it to your friends? Not a chance.

How Do You Get A Domain?

You can get a domain at www.MomWebs.com which is also my recommendation for Web Hosting. As you sign up for your domain, you can get hosting at the same time. And… they’ll even set up your blog for you for only $10. Plus, there’s a phone number that you can call if you have any questions.

With all of that help, there’s nothing stopping you from setting up your first blog.

I hope this has been helpful. And, I really look forward to seeing YOU on Oprah!

Nicole Dean is co-owner of Mom Webs Hosting where you’ll find the host with the most. It offers everything a mom blogger needs – reliability, unlimited hosting, and customer service that never makes you feel intimidated — all at a price you can afford. MomWebs was created to help overcome the technical hurdles that may be preventing moms from sharing themselves with the online world. Check out the free training at MomWebs.

Dream of Being a Blogger? The First Thing You’ll Need is to Find a Great Web Domain Name! is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. New Year Resolution or Dream With a Deadline?
2. PR Rep 101, How NOT to Pitch a Blogger
3. Why You Should Choose the Right Guest Blogger for Your Needs

UPDATE: Live Weekly Sessions on Monday Nights at 9pm Eastern Time) Now being offered!

BLOG TIPS

I’m in many forums hearing how moms are asking whether they should start their blogs on Blogger or WordPress. Many that have started already are asking for advice on Blogger to WordPress transfers, and are also looking for affordable web hosting services.

Perhaps you read many blogs and would like to start your own and try to make money blogging and become a mom who works from home.

Here’s an opportunity that I’d like to pass along to you.  It’s a special,  for a limited time only.

You’ll be able to get the following:

• A Domain Name ($12.00 Value)

• Three Months of Mom Webs Hosting ($15.00 Value)

• WordPress Blog Installation ($10.00 Value)

• WordPress Theme Installation

Plus Much More!

I use Mom Webs, so I really can vouch for their absolutely fantastic, reliable service – and can tell you that they’ve been there for me 24/7 when I need help!

Find out more information about the offers only during Blog Week now! This promotion only lasts until March 19, 2010.

If you just need an Orientation Class to walk you through the steps of setting up your blog, that’s available too! Check out the ongoing Orientation Classes HERE.

After that date, you can still sign up for this beneficial package at the regular price offering – it’s an excellent value – but by signing up for my Free Updates via email you’ll be among the first to know about future specials!

Upcoming Sessions: (All Eastern Time)

• Monday, May 24th – 8:00 to 10:00pm

• Thursday, June 3rd – 12:00 to 2:00pm

• Tuesday, June 8th – 10:00am to Noon

• Monday, June 14th – 8:00 to 10:00pm

• Thursday, June 24th – 12:00 to 2:00pm

• Wednesday, June 30th – 10:00am to Noon

Visit: WordPress Orientation

photo credit: Search Engine People Blog

Dream of Being a Blogger? The First Thing You’ll Need is to Find a Great Web Domain Name! is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. New Year Resolution or Dream With a Deadline?
2. PR Rep 101, How NOT to Pitch a Blogger
3. Why You Should Choose the Right Guest Blogger for Your Needs

One of the ways that I promote and publicize my blogs is through the social networking site, Twitter.  I currently have a Twitter following of approximately 2500 people, and it increases every day.

I participate in many Twitter parties such as Mom It Forward Girls Night Out.

There are many informative sites available to help one understand the nuances and techniques that are used to gain Twitter followers, thereby building your brand and your niche.  I also make use of the popular Hashtags, such as #followfriday, #ff, #gno, #womentofollow and many more that can be found at http://hashtags.org/

After you’ve built a substantial following, I recommend that you look into setting up an account at Twittad.  As a WAHM, I’m always on the lookout for ways to earn a little extra household cash, even if it’s just to pay my web hosting fees!

On Twittad, you can:

• Post Twitter Account for Advertisers to Purchase
• Select your duration & price

• Wait for advertiser to purchase

• Accept or Deny the proposed ad within 48 hours of purchase

My Twitter profile has been purchased several times and is currently running a promo advertisement.

I might not be able to take a vacation on my earnings, but  every little bit helps and can go towards payment of my blog hosting fees!

Check it out! Twittad

Related Reading:

Twitter Profile Tip:  Increase Your Technorati Authority

Dream of Being a Blogger? The First Thing You’ll Need is to Find a Great Web Domain Name! is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. New Year Resolution or Dream With a Deadline?
2. PR Rep 101, How NOT to Pitch a Blogger
3. Why You Should Choose the Right Guest Blogger for Your Needs

If you’re a work at home mom like me, you may also have struggled with finding reliable web hosting. Well, over the years (and many headaches later), I’ve come up with a checklist of essentials that your web host must have before you even consider working with them.

1. Excellent Reliability.
There is nothing more frustrating than finding out your website is down, and has been for hours. Although no time is a good time to have your site down, the timing can be just terrible. That sinking feeling when you’ve purchased advertising and you know the ad is about to be sent out and you go to your website for last minute touches and … it’s down.

That is not cool. That is not acceptable. You must make sure that the web host you select not only has good reliability, but superior reliability. This is your business on the line, not some hobby site. Treat it as such and get hosting that works for you when you need it. But, you can’t just trust a website that says they are reliable. Make sure they can prove it.

2. Superior Customer Support.
When you do need help, make sure that your hosting will provide it. One thing I recommend is to contact support to ask a simple question about the hosting, before buying. That will give you an idea of what the customer service is like before you make a commitment. Yes, customer service has a difficult job – making sure they do not confuse less-experienced customers, yet, at the same time, also making sure not to talk down to the geek types. However, you should never feel like you are a “bother” or that your question is not as important as anyone else’s.. or worse, dumb. You should find a web host with superior customer support.

3. The Stats You Need.
Several of the most popular hosts do not offer the web stats that every online business needs. You may not think that you need stats, but, how else are you going to know what is working – and what is not? You need stats that tell you where your visitors are coming from, how long they are staying, and which pages they are coming in and going from. Does your web host offer that? If they have a CPanel as their control panel, they do. Find a web host that uses a standard CPanel.

4. Affordable.
Why spend more if you don’t have to? When looking for a web host, price is always a factor. So, shop around and make sure that the web host you decide upon offers a great price.

5. Room to Grow.
The web host you choose should offer unlimited hosting. This means, that, if you add more websites to your package down the road, the price does not increase drastically for each one. Many online businesses start with one site and grow over time. Can your host grow with you?

6. Bandwidth and Disk Space.
Also, make sure that the host you choose is in the ballpark for bandwidth and disk space. Most programs offer approximately the same amount, but, especially if you plan to add a lot of audio or video, be sure to look into this, as well.

7. A History of Happy Customers.
New hosting companies are popping up daily. Some are being run by a couple of teenagers in their garage. Obviously, that’s not who I want to entrust my business to. Do you? I want to know that the company I’m choosing has been around a few years, and has a history of happy customers to show for it. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and you shouldn’t either.

Those are the key features that any web host should offer before you consider doing business with them. Choosing a web host can be more important than any other decision you make in your online business – if you choose wrong. So, take the time and find a web host that will work with you, and help you to succeed.

Nicole Dean is co-owner of Mom Webs Hosting -  where you’ll find the host that offers everything a work at home mom needs – reliability, unlimited hosting, and customer service that never makes you feel intimidated — all at a price you can afford.

Dream of Being a Blogger? The First Thing You’ll Need is to Find a Great Web Domain Name! is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. New Year Resolution or Dream With a Deadline?
2. PR Rep 101, How NOT to Pitch a Blogger
3. Why You Should Choose the Right Guest Blogger for Your Needs

Wow, I can’t believe that in less than two years I’ve accomplished creating several businesses and two blogs! In that amount of time, I’ve experimented with several different hosting sites, both free and paid. It’s been quite a learning experience.  My Blog Anniversary is coming up in about 63 days!

Actually, I’m considering creating a third blog, and will be checking out Web Hosting Rating to see which sites provide the best web hosting services for my needs. However, I’ll be researching their article databases prior to making any decisions. There’s plenty of information on secure hosting redirects and securing multiple domains.

If you’re considering starting an online work-at-home business or a blog, it’s best to do your research first!

[ad]

Dream of Being a Blogger? The First Thing You’ll Need is to Find a Great Web Domain Name! is a post from: Moomettes Magnificents

Related posts:

1. New Year Resolution or Dream With a Deadline?
2. PR Rep 101, How NOT to Pitch a Blogger
3. Why You Should Choose the Right Guest Blogger for Your Needs