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Using The Words "You, Yours" Vs. Using "I, My"

by dv8
7 replies
It's known that you should use words like "you, yours" in copy and avoid using "I". And I get that, it's not about me it's about them.

But one thing that I always struggle with is when buying domain names. Usually the domain I want is taken so I add a word to it. But then I debate which word is better to use.

Example...

www. YourSite.com vs. www. MySite.com

Which is better? Going off of the above, "Your" is better. But, and this is where I get caught up, when people are reading the URL they are saying it to themselves in their head. So now, to me, MY would be the better choice. It's like they are taking ownership of the site....it's MY site for tips.

Does that make sense?

I'm asking because I am about to buy another domain name and I'm facing this problem.


Please help me understand this better so I can stop thinking about it.

Thanks.
#copy #i my #i my #words #you yours #you yours
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Scott
    I don't usually use either in a domain name.

    I'm not really clear on the question... but most URLs I've seen are just the product name.

    Microsoft.com... google.com... yahoo.com... ridiculous names that have gotten huge.

    Even on a smaller scale you have stuff like dayjobkiller.com... adwordsblackbook.com... whatever.

    Does that help?

    -Dan
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      www. YourSite.com vs. www. MySite.com

      Which is better?
      I have a naming company and was hired to come up with a new name for an Internet company that had a name like one of the above because, he said, his customers could never remember whether it was "your" or "my" and therefore they were as likely to end up on his competitor's site as his own.

      By avoiding either of the pronouns, he'd be more likely to keep his own customers.

      There's a lesson for you there.

      Marcia Yudkin
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      • Profile picture of the author dv8
        Originally Posted by Daniel Scott View Post

        I don't usually use either in a domain name.

        I'm not really clear on the question... but most URLs I've seen are just the product name.

        Microsoft.com... google.com... yahoo.com... ridiculous names that have gotten huge.

        Even on a smaller scale you have stuff like dayjobkiller.com... adwordsblackbook.com... whatever.

        Does that help?

        -Dan
        Not really what I'm referring to. Thanks for trying to help though, I appreciate it.


        Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

        I have a naming company and was hired to come up with a new name for an Internet company that had a name like one of the above because, he said, his customers could never remember whether it was "your" or "my" and therefore they were as likely to end up on his competitor's site as his own.

        By avoiding either of the pronouns, he'd be more likely to keep his own customers.

        There's a lesson for you there.

        Marcia Yudkin
        Of course I have thought about that. And yes, sometimes it may be a big issue. So ideally, yes, you should never add anything to the name.

        Problem is, as I menetioned, almost every domain I pick is already taken. And 9 times out of 10 there is no site, it is just parked. The typical "let's go around and buy a bunch of domains names for a few bucks and hope someone will want it some day and we'll charge them an arm and a leg for it" routine.

        Pretty annoying. But that's a whole other topic and there is nothing I can do about it in the first place except come up with a different name. Hence me adding to the name.

        You'd be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) what domains names are already taken. I've come up with some off the wall names and I go to see if it is taken and sure enough, it is.
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        • Profile picture of the author dv8
          Just came across the domain problem again...

          Thought of a domain, it had 8 words in it and it's taken!! Whoever bought it is trying to sell it for $1,600.

          Geez, I wish I went crazy back in the early 90's and just bought a bunch of domains. I could sell them now and never work another day.
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  • Profile picture of the author Cherilyn Woodhouse
    Try and avoid those specific words, in my experience. If you must add to a domain, instead of going for "your" or "my", try "the". If it is related to something local, add the location. If it is related to a specific niche or demographic, try adding that to the domain - for example, babyclothes.com is taken, but momsbabyclothes.com is free - moms would be the demographic.

    If you're getting confused picking one, chances are your visitors would get confused remembering which one it is
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    • Profile picture of the author dv8
      Thanks for your post, Cherilyn. Good point on the last thing you said.
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  • Profile picture of the author GoFish
    I have had that issue as well. It is not easy finding another name if you have your mind set on certain wording already. All the best with that.
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