Creating Domain Names

Your domain name is the key that drives traffic to your site. If you don’t already have a domain name, follow these steps to get one — or several — as quickly as possible

The first domain name you need to register is your own name, as in www.yourname.com/.

In addition to your original domain name, you can create some names that describe your service area. For instance, you may want to register a domain name that features your hometown name followed by the words real estate or homes for sale, following these examples

• flatsindelhi.com
• apartmentsindelhi.com

You can even register domain names that feature the names of specific real estate areas or neighborhoods in your market. For example, if you specialize in a Pune, you may register

• punehomesforsale.com

When you use a multiple domain name strategy, you invest in a single Web site that carries your primary domain name and then use a number of names to get people to your Web space.

When online real estate shoppers enter the name of your hometown or the name of a special neighborhood in your hometown, chances are good that one of your domain names will appear in their search results. Unfortunately online, you can’t rely on the old saying, “Build it and they will come.” You need to drive people to your site by doing the following

• Feature your Web address on every mailer, ad, flyer, or promotional piece you send into the marketplace.
• Put search engines to work: Search engine optimization is a complex field that usually requires professional assistance. Most agents don’t understand the language and strategy required to move their sites up high in online search results. Luckily, a whole industry of technology propeller heads does. Before hiring anyone, check out the abilities of the person you’re considering. Ask to see hard data regarding the results she has achieved for other clients, including ranking stats, page views, and lead generation numbers.