Boonies, PA · Member since 2008 · 333 posts · 15 votes
I currently purchased a domain name for a website and now i'm thinking it might not have been a good idea. but i wanted everyones opion if they would use their name for their website to promote your real estate business. for example mine is www.kenhicksjr.com I'm not a politician or anyone really, just trying to make a name in realestate for myself so when somone heres ken hicks they will think of a real estate investor and that might lead to more leads. these domain names are cheap and i can easly purchase a new one like khjhomes.com well let me know
I think the most important qualifier would be, what is your purpose of the website. To pull prospects off of search engines, or to give to people you meet.
To pull prospects off of search engines, yes, an SEO optimized domain name is important, even if it not easily remembered(spelling, dashes, .net, .com. biz, etc...)
To give to people you meet, the easiest name to remember is more important, and to have your own personal name as the domain is best.
Now, .name domains are available and there is a good chance that your name will be easily acquired.
I would use one domain name that includes your name for a blog (if you are intending to write once in a while) and one domain name with some keywords that include the location you are targeting and some word like "real estate" , "homes" , "home" or maby something like "casa" if you want to be unique.
There is an advantage regarding search engine marketing when you use related keywords in the domain name.
One bit of advice for anyone planning on using the word home in the domain name. Do not buy a domain name if both the home an house version are not taken.
I get quite a few leads from checking competitors who advertise and only have one domain. I buy the other and point to my site.
For instance, if you liked MikeBuysHomes.com, do not buy if MikeBuysHouses.com is unavailable.
If you are trying to build a brand, then choose a memorable name.
If you are trying to gain top search engine rankings them use a keyword rich domain (.com, .net, .org). For example:
mytownrealestate.com (where you substitute your town/region). Avoid hyphens if possible.
If you prefer, you can use your name as a domain for your website, which can help build a name and reputation for your business. Alternatively, you could search for domains that would be easy for people to remember but domains that relate to your type of business. The following are two prime examples:
• Create a domain name using your name but make sure it is not too long or hard for targeted clients to remember. For instance, you could create domains such as “dannydodeals.comâ€, “howardproperties.comâ€, or “johnsonestates.comâ€.
• Create a domain name based on something else such as the type of business you own. Keep in mind that word imagery is important so the domain must be professional, connected to real estate, and easy for targeted clients to remember. Examples in this case would include “swanproperties.com†(swan = depicts beauty and elegance and properties = represents you as an expert in real estate.) Putting these two words together creates a professional and reverent image that relates to real estate.
It's important to remember that once entrenched in business, you will be providing personal information to others.
It's unavoidable.
The organic approach of site = my name certainly eliminates the need to "brand correct " by introducing a new name.
SEO is important if taking the digi-road so the advice on key words can be incorporated "hicksrealinvestment" or etc.
When you are handing out other modes of interface; business cards, email addresses & etc it's certainly another extension of the same question.
Some will prefer not to divulge mobile number while others don't mind.
In order to feel more comfortable before distributing personal information one can certainly freeze their credit files and etc.
At root, security is highly subjective.
Recruitment through web leads also doesn't inform one of the "residual" value of added relationships through repeat business. This is based on your delivery to clients - something no website or social media handle can perform.
It really depends on what you want to do with your site. If you want the site to be something that will benefit from being found by the search engines then the name should be SEO friendly and not your name.
If you want a site just so that people can go there and find out more about you, that will look nice in a business card or ad. then use your name.
Or...
you can do both. Buy both domains and have them both point to the same site. Just make sure the site is optimized for the keyword focused domain name not the one with your name.