Hey all,

Just wondered your thoughts on a website domain name. Should I just make it my name? Or should it be without my name and have more reference to home sales?

I see both types floating around. I haven't yet done a survey to show me who uses which more often. Do you think it matters either way?

I know it matters in way of search engine placement, but I was just wondering from a business standpoint if it mattered.

Thanks,
Robyn

Your going to get tired of reading postings from me.. I apologize in advance.

this is from a previous post

I am a huge advocate for this book. If your a new RE Salesperson and you need a crash course on applying technology to your business it is the best $24.95 you can spend. http://realestatetechnologyguide.realtown.com

This book is written by the e-PRO educators
Saul, John and Mike.

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Tim Leffler
Support and Services www.beyondsales.com

If you are not earning in the top 2% of your market place visit www.beyondsales.com to learn how!

[This message has been edited by timleffler (edited 06-30-2004).]

Tim,

Thanks. I doubt I will get tired of your posts.

Not sure that I'm looking for what you've suggested. I've been a webmaster for many years and don't need so much help with apply internet technology.

Was mostly looking for feedback from agents about what "type" of domain names that they are using. If people prefer using their own name or a "home selling" friendly name.

Perhaps I check out the book to ensure I don't miss anthing important when designing/marketing the website.

Thanks,
Robyn

My thoughts run along these lines...
For the main domain I suggest going with something that represents your market area and kw rich if possible. For local marketing and branding, the name is the way to go. Use a seperate hosting account with a 301 redirect to the main site for the name domain. Do not use a redirect without a seperate hosting account and the 301

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Rich
Real Estate Websites
Search Engine Optimization

i say get your name and one that pertains to your area. names are cheap, only like $9 at godaddy.com

for search engine placement you are much better off going with a name with your area, homes, real estate, realty, etc.

Thanks for your help!

Robyn

Rich,
Can you explain to me the difference about redirecting? Why would it be better to set up a seperate hosting account and redirect through a "301"? I just registered a couple of domains and am going to redirect one (my name) to another (which represents my geographical location). Also, just what is a 301 anyway? Thanks in advance.

Hey Varsity,
A 301 redirect is essentially the way to tell the search engine that the domain you are looking for has "permanently moved" to the main url. This is accomplished by making a simple modification to the htaccess file of the shell host for the 2nd. or any number of additional domains, each or which would require a seperate hosting account. I'd also highly reccomend using a different host than your main site or at the very least, make sure they are not on the same ip blocks. Using the redirects available in the control panel of your domain provider to point the site to another url without a 301 will not have favorable results in the search engines.
Once you set up the additional hosting account do the following:
If there is a .htaccess file already in existence with lines of code present, be very careful not to change any existing line unless you are familiar with the functions of the file.

Scroll down past all the existing code, leave a line space, then create a new line that follows this example:

redirect 301 /old/old.htm http://www.you.com/new.htm

It's as easy as that. Save the file, upload it back into your web and test it out by typing in the old address to the page you've changed. You should be instantly and seamlessly transported to the new location.

Notes: Be sure not to add "http://www" to the first part of the statement - just put the path from the top level of your site to the page. Also ensure that you leave a single space between these elements:



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Rich
Real Estate Websites
Search Engine Optimization

Rich,
Thanks much for the info. Doesn't seem too complicated, even with my lack of expertise. You, Doug and the rest of the people on this board are the best.

I went with a generic name that described my area market, because my doomsday thinking at the time was it I didn't make it in real estate I could sell the site to one of my colleagues. Plus all the ideas for site names that included my name were already taken. It's really up to you. Just make sure it's somewhat catchy and easy to remember, and not too long to type out. (I broke that rule with mine, but I felt it was necessary!)