When customers want to find a business, whether it’s a local restaurant or a global retailer, the Web is the first place they look.

Domain names not only make it easy for customers to find your business on the Web, they also give you a place where you can create your own unique online presence, from a full-blown Web store to a simple online business card with your contact information, hours and location.

How you choose your domain name depends on where you are with your business. If you’re already up and running with a brick-&-mortar location, you’ll want to choose a domain that matches your business name. You’ve worked hard to create a name and a brand that customers know and love, so you having the matching domain only makes sense for your customers.

Of course, if you have a popular name (like AAA Plumbing), your first choice may not be available. If that’s the case, don’t worry — there are virtually endless domain variations available. Try a different domain extension like .NET, .BIZ or .CO instead of just .COM. Another tip is to add a local element to your name, such as AAAPlumbingPhoenix.com. This not only differentiates your business from others that may be located across the country, it can help improve your search engine results for local customers.

If you’re just starting out — or you’re launching a business that will only exist online — choosing your domain name is essentially choosing your company name. You want a name that’s memorable and represents your business, if not literally, then at least your company’s personality or attitude (think GoDaddy.com).

And all businesses, new and established, can benefit from a few best practices when it comes to choosing a domain, such as making your name easy to spell and keeping it short.

As a small business owner, you’re constantly working to build your brand — making sure your company is known for unbeatable quality and remarkable service. While social media sites like Facebook® and Yelp® are valuable tools in helping you establish a stellar reputation, they’re no replacement for your own unique domain name.

More than anything, a domain name gives your business a level of professionalism and legitimacy you simply can’t get from a social media profile. While the process of domain name registration is easier and more affordable than most people realize, taking the time to register a domain shows a level of commitment and dedication. In short, it shows customers that you’re serious about your business.

A domain name also gives you a secret weapon in marketing your business: a domain-based email address, like you@yourcompany.com. What makes this so special? Well, like a domain, it shows a level of professionalism that you can’t get from a free email address. But just as importantly, it promotes your brand every time you send a message. Instead of seeing an email from a Gmail or Yahoo! address in their inbox, customers see your company name — and the more they see it, the more they’ll remember it.

As the world’s leading domain name, we’ve helped countless customers find success online with the right domain name (or names) — we can do the same for you. Call our award-winning service and support anytime, 24/7, at (480) 624-2500. Our friendly customer care consultants are happy to help.

Wondering if you’ve got an effective website? After all, your website should be more than a collection of pretty pictures and a bunch of sentences about who you think you are and what you think you do. Even a basic website should help your business grow.

Answer the questions below to see if you’ve covered the basics:

Do you clearly explain who you are and what you do?……….Yes   No

Does your home page have a call to action (call now, watch demo, sign up)? ……….Yes   No

Do you have a page that represents your passion for your business? ……….Yes   No

Have you included customer quotes, reviews, or testimonials? ……….Yes   No

Have you clearly defined your services, pricing, warranties and refunds? ……….Yes   No

Are you collecting email addresses through sign-up forms? ……….Yes   No

Is your primary contact information on every page? ……….Yes   No

Do you have ‘trust logos’ (Better Business Bureau®, awards) ……….Yes   No

Can a customer LIKE you on Facebook® from your website? ……….Yes   No

Do you have a special offer for your website visitors? ……….Yes   No

All done? Great! Now tally up the number of Ys you circled to get your diagnosis.

0 – 4 Sounds like you’re just getting started. Give us a call. We’ll help you out.
5 – 7 You’re on track. Pick one area to focus on this week. Make it happen.
8 – 10 You’re a guru. It might be time to take the next step. Email marketing?

Let S.I.T.E. put you in the red-hot domain name registration and Internet business. We’ve done the heavy lifting — product development, customer support, infrastructure — we’ve even built your Web site. (Show Me). So take your business live on the Internet and start earning money TODAY!

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Why Using Gmail or Hotmail for Business Can Make You Appear Less Credible

An email address can say a lot more than just the messages you send from it. Recently, I found an accountant online and scheduled a consultation to get help with my taxes. The accountant replied to my request through email, and that’s when I noticed she was using a personal Hotmail address. Seeing this made me think twice. Was she really as established and professional as I thought she was? With all of the work you do to establish your company and attract new customers, don’t let a little thing like an email address distract your potential customers.

5 Advantages to Using a Personalized Business Email Address

Unpaid email accounts are easy to get and use, so you might be reluctant to switch to a paid account. But when you look at the advantages of using your domain name for your email address — such as increased credibility, branding opportunities and how affordable they are — you’ll see you can’t afford not to use one.

Look professional: Like it or not, prejudices exist around email addresses. Although, an AOL address might functionally be working well for you, it can make you look “behind the times,” and appear less established and less serious about your business.

Brand your business: Build your business identity. Put your company name in front of customers, prospects, suppliers, vendors and partners with every email you send. When your email address is your company name, you’re marketing your business with every email you send.

Protection from dangerous spam: Paid email accounts typically includes anti-virus and spam filters to keep your inbox clean and secure from dangerous spam. They also have address books, folders to stay organized, and email encryption with password protection so information you send and receive stays private.

Manage all email accounts in one place: When you get a personalized email address, you don’t need to check multiple email accounts or worry about missing messages from your free email. Most email, like Hotmail and Gmail, let you forward all messages to any email address you choose.

Easy to find your business online: Customers and prospects you’ve corresponded with from time to time don’t always remember how to find you online. But if they have your business email in their online address book, they can see your domain name in your email address and know exactly how find your website.

Quick Solution: SiteMedia Business Class email