Ernie Mitchell

I am considering promoting an affiliate program that assists small businesses owners in entering into mobile media. It looks like a great emerging market.

It’s not surprising that .com domains that contain the key words “mobile media” are scarce. With that in mind and given that my website will target the mobile market, I’m considering going with a .mobi domain.

This may be short sighted considering (from what I’m reading) the technology now exists to change the format of a conventional website back and forth from search to mobile format therefore eliminating the need for a dedicated stand-alone “mobi” formatted website. Please excuse me for being a little sketchy on this as I am learning.

Anyway, would I be ill advised to use a .mobi domain for the site? Perhaps I should go with a .info domain? --- They seem to be available when nothing else it.

I’ve read that some affiliates feel that .info domains pose less of a perceived threat on affiliate sites compared to .com domains.

bizadpros

In actuality, there are really three real choices to make with mobile marketing and domain names:

• Top Level Domain Name like yourwebsite.mobi
• Subdirectory or sub folder like yourdomain.com/mobilesite
• Mobile Subdomain, primarily m.yourdomain.com

There are reasons for and against all of the above, but I primarily use and suggest a mobile subdomain (m.yourdomain.com) as it is not only popular and used by a lot of large companies, but it actually is SEO Ready and SEO friendly.

As a matter of fact, keep in mind that Google now recognizes subdomains as actually part of the main root domain. See this article related to this here.

Taking costs into consideration, both sub-directories and sub domains are no extra cost - unlike .mobi names.

Also, keep in mind that with a .mobi - you are actually "starting all over" with a new website, etc. - and basically not being found at all to start.

cpaunit

it seems .com is most popular. but if you have a good .mobi. it will be better. ex: money.mobi abc.mobi. a domain name easily remembered

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everge

If I client has a website currently I would suggest a subdomain. This will give the client peice of mind that your not trying to charge additional hosting fees.

Also the advantage is with a redirect script on their main site a mobile device will be automatically redirected to their mobile site if searching their main site.

A big plus for the client.

However if they don't have a web presence at all that's when I would arranging the hosting and charging accordingly.

Ernie Mitchell

Thanks for your responses.

I have decided against the .mobi domain and instead elected to go with a .net.

As mentioned previously, a .com domain wasn’t available for the keyword combination I want to employ therefore .net was my second choice.

The reason being is something I forgot to mention in my original post. Although the domain is for a site that will promote an affiliate program that helps people become mobile marketing savvy, in the initial stages it will not be targeted to mobile devices. The reason being is that in the beginning stages, my prospects will not be mobile savvy. My initial audience will be prospects with standard, non-mobi websites.

If I achieve the kind of success I think I will, when my customers become mobile savvy and become engaged in mobile marketing, there will then be a need to reach them via a mobile compatible website.

If I understand the sub-domain issue correctly, a mobile version of the site can be accessed by simply inserting an “m” at the beginning of my existing domain ex: m.mydomainname.net.

Forgive me for possibly asking the dumb question of the century but am I to assume that I should purchase m.mydomainname.net and set it up on a redirect to the mobile version of the site “or” is all I have to do is enter the “m.” in my existing domain to access the mobile version?

I have also been told that if a site is set up properly, regardless of the domain, the mobile version will automatically populate when it is received on a mobile devise and the non-mobile version will automatically populate when it is received on standard desktop or laptop device. I may have this all wrong. If someone can enlighten me, I would appreciate it.

If the above is the case, I would think it would eliminate the need for all the above domain fancy footwork???

midasman09

Ernie....you are setting up a "Training" site for YOUR business therefore I would use a dotcom Domain. DotNet domains get LOST in people's minds and get less attention for Keywords by Google.

My first domain was a dotnet because, as you mentioned, my MAIN choice was taken. However....I would up sending LOTS of FREE traffic to my competitor who had the dotcom.

So....my suggestion is to get a dotcom (I've always found words available for any of my domains) Then....with your Host Server....get a dotM subdomain and add a Re-Direct Script in your regular site.

Don ALm

dmbrennan

Once you register your whatever.net domain, you create a sub-directory: m.whatever.net - but as mentioned above, I'd drop back and punt on the .net and find a .com. --Dennis

locke815

My suggestion would be it'll be best if you go for a .com extension

Ernie Mitchell

Thanks for the insight everybody.

Since my last post I have found and purchased a satisfactory, KW rich .com domain.

Thanks Again,

Ernie Mitchell