domain name suggestion for my review/tech/blog/howto site?

[willpower101]

My site would mainly be a different spin on typical dime-a-dozen technology review sites. (can't discuss how of course) <Edit: And I would cover other topics outside tech) and incorporating them would pull it's focus to be a more general site.

I think I'd prefer to work on one huge site with a ton of quality content rather than split into a bunch of small sites.

In a nutshell: So if reviews/best products is the main purpose, and technology is the main focus, but I want to leave my doors open to reviewing anything, and I want to post a slew of general useful information, then what are some name ideas?

[edited by: Webwork at 8:32 pm (utc) on Feb. 23, 2008]
[edit reason] Prefer to keep things very general for thread to have widest application [/edit]

[Webwork]

Hello willpower101. Welcome to WebmasterWorld.

The more we get into specifics of domains the more problematic it gets for you and WebmasterWorld.

For example: If we suggested specific domain name ideas or suggestions what would stop anyone else from registering the domains? I'd bet others would register them, which is why you seldom see such threads.

For your benefit I'm going to interpret your request as a more general request for branding advice and how a domain might help ties up the various threads of a larger, multi-issue website.

For example, you might choose a root word + "portal" - to indicate the website is a bit larger scale.

Frankly, if you are a one man show and IF originality of content matters you might do better to stick to one more focused topic.

[willpower101]

Thanks for the edit. Yeah, I'm wary of posting tmi as well. Google searches on domain name suggestions brought me mainly to here, #*$!, and domainpros (which seems geared more towards selling)

I guess right now I'm trying to decide between more general, to the point names that incorporate proper spelling of the topic involved, or "play on words" names that are more brandable / memorable, but aren't the most descriptive.

Another problem is how to brand a site that's open like this. Lean towards tech or keep it general?

Lastly, is how to incorporate non-review content. Wouldn't it be a waste to put the content on a separate sites, if I only have, say 30 articles about each subject and write about them only once a month? Whereas, if I kept them on my main site, I could have several hundred, and probably build up to thousands within a year?

This last problem seems solvable by just buying a domain as my real name, calling it a blog, and throwing all my mixed content on it at once. Although, am I correct in assuming a website with a main purpose would have more staying power than a general blog?

[willpower101]

Another thought. If I actually do have quality informative content, would name/style of the site really even matter?

[Laker]

If I actually do have quality informative content, would name/style of the site really even matter?

When I read this, "google" came to mind ...

While much has been written about the creation of the name, the name doesn't incorporate keywords like "search engine", "ads", "revenue", "news", "maps" ... ad infinitum ;-)

Style might matter more than the name.

[willpower101]

At first I thought you were telling me to google it, LOL.

When I read this, "google" came to mind ...

definitely. Although there's a lot arguments about $$$ needed in marketing a name but, after eight more hours of reading, I'm inclined to believe that if you work on generating traffic to your site the name will brand itself.

here are notes on my observations so far: (edited to stay within the rules I hope)

Play on words of a taken name (as long as the site isn't similar)- Like changing the words to something similar sounding or iconic. eg. examplesite.com vs eggsamplesite.com
Pros- brandable, sticky
Cons- less search / typin traffic. real spelling > your spelling

A Play on letters- example.com vs exampl.com vs xample.com
pros- name still hightlights focus
cons- see above, but possibly even worse if all the others are taken.

Using adjectives- theexamplesite, bestexamplesite, etc
pros - Not sure. You get your name?
cons - ? see above I guess?

Appending Cliche words - forum, review, tech, buzz, site, world etc.
pros/ cons- ? I'm actually not sure if it's a pro or a con to have cliche words. They are searched for often, but one could argue in favor of something off the wall and catchy.

90% brand words - GOOGLE, VERIZON, COMCAST, AMAZON, alexa?
Pros - alot
Cons - $$$ or time to market the name. I keep reading conflicting arguments both for and against these. (see what I wrote above)

[Insomniak]

As for your tech vs general question I would say go even more specific with a niche within tech. Its hard to get noticed out there with millions of web sites, your best chance is to master a small niche. Your competition on a 'general' site is kind of EVERYONE, do you want to go head to head with Yahoo for example?!

[willpower101]

I just don't understand what I'm going to do with the rest of my content? Start a bunch of sites with a couple pages each?

[gpilling]

if your are going for a brandable name (google, verizon, amazon) make sure that the name passes a few tests. 1. its original, a made up word like google. 2. people must be able to spell it without having ever seen it 3. How does it communicate over the phone?

I have a company name that is 6 letters, looks great in print, is a made up word, #1 in SERPS for the name within two months, and NOBODY spells it right when told over the phone. Oops.