Rate my domain names, pretty pretty please?

15 replies
Hey everybody,

I've missed you all! I've been busy with school and what not so I took a little break, but now I'm back and have decided to plunge head first into offline consulting. Well, not really consulting (I don't feel I have the experience necessary to feel comfortable offering SEO and such, at least not yet) but rather things like creating business websites, mobile sites, and other services that are more cut and dry.

I was a little scared of Uncle Sam (I will be filing for a EIN and DBA soon) and looking unprofessional so I've decided to create a website. And boy what a process that was! Thanks to all the cybersquatters out there, all my domain ideas led me to finding unused website after website just sitting there gathering dust or the owner trying to rob me for 2 grand.

Anyhow, after a couple days of searching I finally came up with two domains that I'm relatively okay with and went ahead with buying. However, I wanted you guys' honest opinion because it is a little out there. I know a lot of people recommend starting a domain that is highly relevant to the service you'd be offering, but the truth is it is incredibly difficult to find a short snappy domain nowadays. So, instead I went with something a little more unique and memorable:

purplestag.com for Purple Stag Media
purpleswanmedia.com for Purple Swan Media

So...what do you guys think? Which one do you prefer? Why?
#domain #names #pretty #rate
  • Profile picture of the author Sean Hebdon
    I think you need to have media in the URL as that is a fairly relevant keyword for what you are doing
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    Sean Hebdon
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    • Profile picture of the author junilerick
      Originally Posted by Sean Hebdon View Post

      I think you need to have media in the URL as that is a fairly relevant keyword for what you are doing
      Yeah, that's one of the conundrums I'm facing--do I want a shorter and easier-to-type domain that is very non-descriptive or do I want the longer one that somewhat explains my business?
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      • Profile picture of the author AnimeSite
        Originally Posted by junilerick View Post

        Yeah, that's one of the conundrums I'm facing--do I want a shorter and easier-to-type domain that is very non-descriptive or do I want the longer one that somewhat explains my business?

        You can have both. Short & to the point. It's a difficult battle of narrowing down your business into a few words, don't overthink!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    General rule of thumb... if you can afford to educate the masses, you can afford to go the "brandable" route.

    If, however, you are hoping for any help whatsoever from your brand identity from the start, you'll want something more evocative of your primary business strategy (i.e. good keywords)

    If you have better ones in mind that are sitting out there unused, it doesn't hurt to inquire. You never know when one may be available at a price you can afford. You could also monitor daily droplists for your preferred keywords and maybe you'll get lucky with one.

    Whatever you decide, best of luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author junilerick
      Originally Posted by rocket2uranus View Post

      General rule of thumb... if you can afford to educate the masses, you can afford to go the "brandable" route.

      If, however, you are hoping for any help whatsoever from your brand identity from the start, you'll want something more evocative of your primary business strategy (i.e. good keywords)

      If you have better ones in mind that are sitting out there unused, it doesn't hurt to inquire. You never know when one may be available at a price you can afford. You could also monitor daily droplists for your preferred keywords and maybe you'll get lucky with one.

      Whatever you decide, best of luck.
      Yea, I read that part about being brandable somewhere, too. So very true. I think perhaps I'm being a little over ambitious by starting with a domain that is so vague (and thus has so much potential).

      I just figured I should dive in and keep moving. I think the number one problem for warriors is over analyzing and wanting to wait until everything lines up perfectly and every contingency is planned for before doing anything. The best learning is in the doing and I want to try my best to live by that philosophy.
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  • Profile picture of the author J R Salem
    Using keywords like "media" can be good so people know what you do, but others won't like it because they will instantly label you from the start.
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    • Profile picture of the author junilerick
      Originally Posted by J R Salem View Post

      Using keywords like "media" can be good so people know what you do, but others won't like it because they will instantly label you from the start.
      Well, I think the word media is sufficiently encompassing that it will allow me a lot of flexibility and expanding opportunities for what I can offer in the future if I ever make it to that point.
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  • Profile picture of the author AnimeSite
    Okay here's what I have to offer I don't know technical stuff, but I do know Psychology and advertising. First the two words don't roll off the tongue and there is logic behind this in more detail, that I'll spare unless requested. That being said purplestag or purpleswan, is a mouthful ugh!

    My best advice: Use your two words that don't quite roll together and make an abbreviated acronym for them. A fantastic example would be P.S. people will brand your two words now, with the two letters P & S. It will create an easier connection for their brains to connect your two words Purple & Stag or Purple & Swan. Especially since P.S. is a common abbreviation, the only difference is it will now be associated with your site. Good luck!

    A few common tips for words and things to avoid when writing. http://www.slate.com/articles/life/t...ate_words.html
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    • Profile picture of the author junilerick
      Originally Posted by AnimeSite View Post

      Okay here's what I have to offer I don't know technical stuff, but I do know Psychology and advertising. First the two words don't roll off the tongue and there is logic behind this in more detail, that I'll spare unless requested. That being said purplestag or purpleswan, is a mouthful ugh!

      My best advice: Use your two words that don't quite roll together and make an abbreviated acronym for them. A fantastic example would be P.S. people will brand your two words now, with the two letters P & S. It will create an easier connection for their brains to connect your two words Purple & Stag or Purple & Swan. Especially since P.S. is a common abbreviation, the only difference is it will now be associated with your site. Good luck!

      A few common tips for words and things to avoid when writing. Word aversion: Hate moist? Slacks? Crevice? Why do people hate words? - Slate Magazine
      Thanks for the feedback!

      I agree that it lacks that rolling-off-the-tongue sensation you get from saying google, nike, apple, etc. The problem is short domains are nigh on impossible to get. (Seriously, I was coming up with some pretty random domains yet nearly all were taken by cybersquatters)

      psmedia.com would have been nice I suppose, it does have a nice ring to it when pronounced. But....it's being squatted on, too! (reading that article you shared I'm realizing how ugly a word "squat" is)

      Anyhow, I like the image that "purple swan" can convey--elegant solutions that are unique and memorable, but yea it is a mouthful...
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  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi there,

    Have you seen this site:

    http://www.swanmedia.com/

    They have a swan, and .....it's purple!

    Have you tried snapnames, or pool.com or godaddy auctions? You might find a gem in there at a reasonable price.

    All the best,

    Sasha,
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    • Profile picture of the author junilerick
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi there,

      Have you seen this site:

      http://www.swanmedia.com/

      They have a swan, and .....it's purple!

      Have you tried snapnames, or pool.com or godaddy auctions? You might find a gem in there at a reasonable price.

      All the best,

      Sasha,
      I didn't even know about that, just goes to almost every thought you've ever had, somewhere in the world someone else has as well. Anyhow, I took some of the advice to heart and found an ultra-short domain: inkoven.com as in Ink Oven Media or Ink Oven Studios etc.. Thoughts?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
    That isn't awful, but what does it mean? I don't really think it will connect with an audience.

    Another place to look is at dnforum.com Tons of people selling domains, it is not hard to find lots of ideas at "reseller" prices there.
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  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi there,

    Not bad. So long as it appears as "InkOven.com" in all your material you should be allright. "inkoven" is difficult to discern at first glance.

    All the best,

    Sasha
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Why are you purple?
    Do your prospects like purple?
    What do you think of when I say purple?
    What do others think of when you say purple?

    I like purple. But even I have no idea why I would do business with a Purple Animal Company.

    Stag: Given the connotation of this lose it. I think porn the second I see it. With purple it really sounds like porn for reason I hope I don't have to explain.

    Swan: Ok why a swan? What does a swan have to do with your brand?

    If you are going to use real words they need to have a theme for you and for your prospects. Otherwise get a made up name and brand it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rags2Richs
    Well purple media takes you to Target and purple swan takes you to Calibex and shows purple swan things i.e. masks purple jeans etc.
    I would agree that since you're involved in media go with the domain with media in it. IMHO
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