Category: Latest news

4 Reasons to Use a New Top Level Domain for Your Business

Posted on by adlavagarrett

These days, choosing your business domain name offers a lot more flexibility than it once did. Thanks to a wider variety of top level domains (TLDs), you are no longer limited to the traditional (and also typical) .com. Let’s back up for a moment, though. First of all, what is a top level domain, exactly? Secondly, why should you considering straying from the .com path in favor of something newer and more inventive?

What is a Top Level Domain?

To begin, it helps to know what the three parts of a domain name are. You have the:

  1. Subdomain.
  2. Second level domain.
  3. Top level domain.

These three segments are separated by periods. So, the subdomain is what comes before the first period: www. The second level domain is the piece in the middle. If your business domain is www.johnsplumbing.com, the second level domain is “johnsplumbing.” The top level domain is the third segment — in this case, “.com.”

You likely know .com to be the most popular, while .net is another somewhat common alternative. Did you know, though, that you can now find far more unique TLDs? For example, if you have a business in Las Vegas, .vegas is a TLD available to you.

Here’s why you should consider something outside of the .com box.

1. More Unique TLDs Are Likelier to be Available

How many times have you checked your desired domain name only to find .com was already taken? It’s in the highest demand, which means the odds of your first choice being available aren’t always in your favor.

Something more specific, on the other hand — like .vegas — is far likelier to be open for use.

2. Help Establish Your Brand

With the release of the new top level domains, The ICANN (the International Corporate for Assigned Names and Numbers) has transformed the internet from that of the whitepages, to the yellow pages. Now your top level domain can be a part of your brand. No longer do you have to settle for a .COMmon; now you can get a domain extension that enhances your brand. And lets you stand out.

3. They Make for More Personalized Domain Names

If you live and work in Las Vegas, how touching would it be to have a TLD that reflects the city (and the people) you love so much? .Vegas offers a much more personalized experience, both for you and your online visitors. It can also help give people a better idea of the website they’re clicking on.

4. Using (or Switching to) a New TLD Won’t Hurt Your Rankings

One of the most common arguments against new TLDs has been Google favors .com and won’t rank other TLDs nearly as well. Furthermore, it’s often believed businesses who switch from a .com to a .vegas web address are guaranteed to tank in rankings.

However, this is simply not the case.

In a blog post, Google said they mostly treat old and new TLDs the same. In other words, a .com website won’t inherently rank any higher than a .vegas website.

Now, when it comes from moving from an old TLD to something newer, there is more work involved — something Google offers help with. The only thing to be aware of is it might take some time for Google search results to process your new domain. However, it’s doable.

Ready to try a new top level domain? Head to BeBold.Vegas to learn all about it, or visit your favorite registar, like GoDaddy.

What’s in a Name? The Importance of Business Names in Vegas

Posted on by adlavagarrett

Deciding on a business name is kind of like going on your first date. You’re really excited but really nervous, and maybe you cry a little. (Hopefully not.) This is one of those things you really don’t want to mess up because once you decide on a name, purchase your domain, and fill out all the paperwork, it’s tough to undo it. Plus, your business and domain name can have a serious impact on your Google presence, and it’s one of the first things people see when it comes to your company. For these reasons, it’s important this matter stays at the forefront of your mind.

Before you make the final call, let’s go over a few helpful tips for naming your business.

3 Tips for Naming Your Business

1. Keep it Simple

Is the name easy to say and, importantly, spell? You don’t want to lose people’s attention because they can’t even figure out what your business’s name is. Plus, what’s going to happen when they search it in the almighty Google? Yes, Google will hopefully correct the spelling for them and produce your website anyway, but do you really want to take the chance? Of course not.

On a similar note, consider keeping your name on the shorter side. Remember, this name is going to go everywhere: your domain, your email, and your social media profiles. The longer it is, the harder it is to remember, the more space it takes up, and the likelier it is to get cut off when shown online.

2. Consider Your Brand as a Whole

So, now you know you want your business name to be short and sweet and simple, but you don’t want it to be so plain that it’s totally unmemorable. Another goal when naming your business should be to make it brandable. In other words, you want it to be catchy and witty, and something people remember.

Think of it like this: if we ask you to recite some of your favorite jingles, what pops into your mind? Maybe it’s…

J-E-L-L-O!

Or

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Or

Break me off a piece of that KitKat bar!

You know what all these names have in common? They’re brandable.

While “Las Vegas Home Electricians” might get the job done, you might want to consider something a little more clever.

3. Check its Availability

Before you get excited and set your sights on that brilliant name you thought of, make sure to check its availability. Also look for businesses with similar names, especially ones in your general area. The last thing you want is for potential customers to confuse you with someone else.

Naming your business is a big responsibility, but don’t let it stress you out too much. As long as you do your homework, you’ll eventually stumble upon the perfect name for you. Remember to keep it simple, keep it brandable, and check to make sure it’s not only available but unique. (Side note: also, don’t make the mistake of picking a totally awkward business name, like these. Did you know .Vegas is now a top level domain you can go with for businesses in Las Vegas? Head to BeBold.Vegas to learn all about it, or visit your favorite registar, like GoDaddy.

Worst Domain Names… Ever!

Posted on by adlavacontent

Business owners will spend days agonizing over which domain name (website name) to pick for their business. Should it match the business name exactly? Should it be shorter or longer? Do website visitors want to see something clever or serious? Should you go with a .com, .net, or .somethingelseentirely? What about dashes? What about numbers? What if the domain name is already taken? It’s enough to make any person’s brain implode.

Worst Domain Names… Ever

That must’ve been what happened with these five companies, because something about their domains just doesn’t sound… right. And if you are in the market for creating a new website name for your company, please avoid the mistakes these businesses made:

Speedofart.com

Please tell us this website doesn’t have anything to do with swimmers’ flatulence. Please.

Of course not! It’s the Speed of Art (not the Speedo Fart), and it has nothing to do with, well, you know. It goes without saying this is one URL people won’t race to click on. Friends, in this case, remember: dashes are your friend. Say it with us: speed-of-art.com!

Americanscrapmetal.com

Americans! We crap metal! Not really. Like Speedo Fart — *ahem* Speed of Art — this URL is seriously lacking much-needed dashes. Or just picking a whole different name all together.

Childrenswear.co.uk

What is this?! Where are their parents? Oh… sorry. Children’s Wear. That’s a relief. We were about to start washing people’s mouths out with soap.

Enjoypot.co.kr

This isn’t what it sounds like. We promise. They mean pottery. Enjoy pottery. Don’t we all? Maybe next time, though, spell out the whole word, guys.

How to Create a Good Domain Name

When coming up with your domain name, there are a few details you should keep in mind.

Include a Keyword, If Possible

Google sees everything. Whenever you have an important keyword naturally included in your text, Google gives you a virtual pat on the back and awards you +10 SEO points. In other words, it’s good for your rankings.

However, the important word here is: naturally.

Don’t squeeze a keyword into your domain just for the sake of having it there. But if you can do so naturally, please do.

Keep It Brief

How annoying is it to type in a URL like www.thebestfitnessgearandequipmentforgyms.com? We’re not even sure what we just said.

Remember: your domain will be part of the user experience. Make it easy for people who want to visit your website. Keep it simple…. and short!

Explore Beyond .Com

There’s no worse feeling than that of picking out the perfect domain name and subsequently seeing it’s already in use… except maybe getting water in your shoes. That might feel worse.

But! When it comes to your top level domain (everything after the dot in your URL), you have options. Lots of them. Your domain doesn’t need to be a generic .com. Think outside the box.

Are you having trouble coming up with your domain name for a Las Vegas business? Try .Vegas.

Las Vegas is one of the most visited cities in the world. Everyone wants a piece of it. Now, you can have it. Visit BeBold.Vegas to learn more.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a .vegas

Posted on by devkarl

There are lots of reasons to buy and use a .vegas domain name instead of a .common. Here are the top ten.

10.  You can get a great, .vegas domain name within minutes. You don’t have to wait to start your business because all the names you wanted were already taken.

9.  .Vegas is the only domain extension that means Las Vegas, 100%! No other domain extension can say that. Your domain extension is part of your story.

8.  Stand out.  With so many .commons out there, you stand out about as much as a drop of water in the ocean. With a .vegas you stand out like a sunbather on the beach. Clothing optional!

7.  The power of the community. A .vegas tells everyone you are connected to Las Vegas. The power of the City and its people is behind you.

6.  Its juts plain cool! Who doesn’t love Las Vegas? So why wouldn’t you end your domain name with one of the most recognized brands in the world?

5.  We are the future. Launched in 2014, the .vegas extension has made inroads into every nook and cranny of Las Vegas. The days of .common are slowly fading into the sunset.

4.  Exclusivity. The City of Las Vegas is one of only 4 US Cities that have their own domain extension. The others being .NYC, .Boston and .Miami

3.  It’s about the Internet. The Internet is changing how we see and experience the world. It is growing faster than anyone ever imagined. Las Vegas is feeling that change. Today people don’t have to come to Las Vegas to experience Las Vegas.

2.  .Vegas isn’t going anywhere.  We are permanently imbedded in the world wide web.  Every search engine recognizes us. You never have to worry about being indexed or forgotten.

And the number one reason to buy a .vegas is . . . . drum roll please . . . .

1. Why not!!!  Its Vegas Baby, and now we are online.