I've written before about choosing a business name for your design biz. But in the desktop publishing forum a designer is wondering about choosing a domain name for a new design business. What if what you want is taken? Should you use a name (such as your own name) that might be a little tricky to spell?

Some common tips on choosing a domain name include:

• Make it SEO friendly.
  Consider using a domain name that includes keywords that people are searching for like something with "graphicdesigner" or "logo-design" in the name.

• Include Branding.
  Similiar to SEO, use something that reflects who you are or what you do in a memorable way. If you're already established offline by a certain name or phrase or product, use it in your domain name to continue the brand online -- like the-logo-lady.

• Do / Don't Avoid Punctuation.
  Some sources think sticking a hyphen in the domain name can help with SEO because the words are more distinct, might have a slight edge in search engines. But will people remember to use that hyphen? I know that I always used to have a trouble with a local TV station (before they changed their domain) because of a hyphen in the name. The solution? Purchase the domain name with and without the dashes.

• Keep it Short.
  Short URLs are often easier to remember and easier to type. But you might want to avoid oddball abbreviations like "dsignr" unless maybe that's how you spell it in your already established business name. Just avoid really long names like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-graphic-design-expert.

• Register Multiple Names
  Consider grabbing up a handful of domain names. Get one with your own name as well as one with your business name (if different) and another that describes your business if your current business name is less that intuitive.

• Look Beyond .com
  Although .com names are the most common, it may be harder to find an available domain name that meets your needs. Keeping all the other naming tips in mind, look at .net or .biz or other suffixes as alternatives to settling for a .com domain you don't really like.

See the sidebar articles for more tips and suggestions on choosing a domain name for any kind of online presence.

Join the conversation about choosing a design business domain name. Is your domain name the same as your business name? If not, why not and has that been a good thing or a bad thing for your business?

In a very old post about Logo Design Contests, Alec L. recently wrote:

"This is actually a really effective way to get your logo designed. When designers compete they work harder and create better designs."

Design contests are common. Some people love them. It's a way to flex your design muscles and maybe snag a prize or two or at least bragging rights. But when the contest is run by an organization seeking a way around actually paying for logo design I personally think it's not only a cheap (cheap as in miserly) way for a business to get a logo, it's also not very effective. Part of arriving at the right logo/identity is the interaction between the client and designer during the design process.

What do you think about Alec's assertion that running a contest is a good way for a business to get a logo? Would you or have you ever entered a design contest? What kind?