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> people believe a successful business starts with a domain name Domain names don't make or break a business, but they certainly help. Factors like name releva

> people believe a successful business starts with a domain name Domain names don't make or break a business, but they certainly help. Factors like name relevancy, and catchiness help draw visitors and create brand recognition.

ohashi 16y ago
So does every other factor in starting your business: your parents wealth, your education, access to certain resources, etc. It all helps, but business is about dealing with what is your reality and making the best of it.
user24 16y ago
Totally agree. If only google had been able to buy searchengine.com they'd have been much more successful. Or if socialnetwork.com hadn't been taken by an evil squatter then facebook might have really taken off. If your business has real value, the domain name is not relevant at all. Look at the top startups. How many of them have "keyword rich" domains that are relevant to their business? Of course you can argue that this is an effect of domain squatters, but I would argue that the fact they couldn't get their first choice of domain name has had no discernible impact on these businesses.
- aberkowitz 16y ago
  In this case, google has a catchy two syllable name and a twelve year-old product that outpaces the competition in accuracy and design. I fail to see how Facebook is anything but a brilliant name. It is easy to remember and describes the physical implementation of the site.
- BrandonM 16y ago
  When Facebook started, it was just people, a couple pictures, their contact info, their classes, and a Wall. There was no messaging or News Feed. It really wasn't much of a social network at all compared to what it is today. I would argue that some sites benefit from having a non-specific domain name. If Google had been searchengine.com, maps.searchengine.com and mail.searchengine.com seem a bit weird. Having a less specific name allows a company to pivot without changing its branding.
  - ultrasaurus 16y ago
    For Google it might even hurt them at this point. Lots of users don't know their browser, but they know that Google=Internet. "Yahoo Search Engine" would be a lot more competitive with "Search Engine" from a branding perspective.
  - user24 16y ago
    yep, totally. Likewise if amazon had been called books.com they'd have a hard time diversifying into the huge repertoire they have now. The same's true of just about any popular site you care to mention. What does flickr mean? del.icio.us? What does ycombinator have to do with startups? etc etc etc.
    - BrandonM 16y ago
      Amazon is a much better example than the one I used.

ohashi 16y ago

So does every other factor in starting your business: your parents wealth, your education, access to certain resources, etc. It all helps, but business is about dealing with what is your reality and making the best of it.

user24 16y ago

Totally agree. If only google had been able to buy searchengine.com they'd have been much more successful. Or if socialnetwork.com hadn't been taken by an evil squatter then facebook might have really taken off. If your business has real value, the domain name is not relevant at all. Look at the top startups. How many of them have "keyword rich" domains that are relevant to their business? Of course you can argue that this is an effect of domain squatters, but I would argue that the fact they couldn't get their first choice of domain name has had no discernible impact on these businesses.

aberkowitz 16y ago
In this case, google has a catchy two syllable name and a twelve year-old product that outpaces the competition in accuracy and design. I fail to see how Facebook is anything but a brilliant name. It is easy to remember and describes the physical implementation of the site.
BrandonM 16y ago
When Facebook started, it was just people, a couple pictures, their contact info, their classes, and a Wall. There was no messaging or News Feed. It really wasn't much of a social network at all compared to what it is today. I would argue that some sites benefit from having a non-specific domain name. If Google had been searchengine.com, maps.searchengine.com and mail.searchengine.com seem a bit weird. Having a less specific name allows a company to pivot without changing its branding.
- ultrasaurus 16y ago
  For Google it might even hurt them at this point. Lots of users don't know their browser, but they know that Google=Internet. "Yahoo Search Engine" would be a lot more competitive with "Search Engine" from a branding perspective.
- user24 16y ago
  yep, totally. Likewise if amazon had been called books.com they'd have a hard time diversifying into the huge repertoire they have now. The same's true of just about any popular site you care to mention. What does flickr mean? del.icio.us? What does ycombinator have to do with startups? etc etc etc.
  - BrandonM 16y ago
    Amazon is a much better example than the one I used.