Buying a domain name is no easy task for the everyday average person that does not practically "live" online. I think the first thing one needs to understand is not only today’s need but down the road as well.

Deciding if you really need to spend a fair amount of money for a quality domain is the next thing you should consider. Knowing domain name prices can range from a few hundred dollars to several millions of dollars is starting on the right foot. Yes you can register a domain name for around $10, but it’s likely to be pretty long, not help you very much and not so clear. You can get exactly what you want sometimes by simply visiting a registrar like Godaddy.com and get one for $10.

Although it’s common to hear "all the good ones are gone", a.) there is a reason for this and b.) you need to consider if your online presence is Very Important, Kind of important or you are just online to have at least some presence.

~ If you are going online for a Main Source of your income, you very well should consider a quality domain name. Most I would consider in this range start around $20K and can easily go into the six figure range. Many quality domain names also come with Traffic, which is a vital piece to the online puzzle. Not only do most top tier quality domain names have traffic, they have the most targeted traffic one can get! No advertising needed, it’s called "natural" or Direct Navigation. It’s like paying for advertising once and you just keep getting the traffic from it.

Keywords are important, searched for on the net already and matching your domain term exactly to that term, clear and "make sense" is a must!  Just because a domain name has a high price tag, doesn’t mean "it’s a good domain". If you really are unsure on what you need for a domain, I suggest spending a couple hundred bucks and getting some unbiased advice from a domain expert! It very well likely will be the best money you can spend. I offer a service, so feel free to contact me but there are others as well, many which are Free. Just be sure you can trust your source.

If you do know what domain name you do need, then I suggest looking in the right places. Without boring you to death looking through long lists of over priced domains, use the Whois database and contact the specific domain owner directly. Be sure to have a budget in mind before you start doing this. Whois.sc is the source I use for finding a domain name owner, just enter in the domain and use the contact info. Making a "low ball offer" can and likely will not lead you down the right path to owning your perfect domain.

Using a service like Sedo.com or visiting the domain name you are interested in Directly can also help. Keep in mind, not every domain name is for sale, but if it’s listed on Sedo, it likely is. I can not express enough… if you do not know what your doing, hire somebody that DOES, but know who is a sales person and who is not! It can save you a lot of time, a lot of money and get you started on the right path.

~ If your online presence is Kind Of Important, I would still consider your need for a quality domain, but just on a slightly lower scale. Likely in the $1K to $10K range. Keep in mind that domain names are assets. Buying a good one also means it’s likely that if you wish to sell, there will be a buyer! Budget is always a factor no matter what and it’s important to have one. Never solely get stuck on one specific domain, unless that one domain is the only one that will work!

There are a lot of words that basically mean the same thing, some are just more popular then others.

~ I just need to be on the web so customers can find me and get info. Many companies really do not offer products or services that work well online. Giving your customers Options is still important. Easy contact, hours of operations, insider pictures of machines or your business can help as well. In this case, I would suggest to match your company name Exactly. If your company name is not advertised or often spoken with LLC, INC etc, leave that Off of your domain name. Keep in mind, a lot companies in the world! The more companies with the same name, equals more demand, which can also raise the price tag. Many can spend the $10 at a domain registrar to get this kind of domain.

Personal blogs can fit this bill also. I suggest using your Full Name, a call to action domain or something interesting. Keep in mind to stay as Clear and easy to spell as you can. There is nothing wrong spending a little money for a nice domain if you can afford it.

You can still get a nice, make sense domain name for a couple hundred bucks, so do not always shy away from one that you may want to use because it’s already owned by somebody. Domain name forums like NamePros.com and DNF.com can yeild some deals. Sedo.com auction, Godaddy.com Auctions or contacting private sellers can also pop up some deals. It’s always best to visit a domain name directly, as this will normally tell you a lot. If it’s a full site and you do not see a "For Sale" any place, it’s likely not for sale.

Bottom line on buy a domain name now matter what your needs are. You need a budget from the start. If you are unsure the kind of domain name you need based on your use, I highly suggest you spend a little money and get some priceless advice from a domain name expert that knows domain names. Happy Hunting!