Effective domain names: some tips

Here are 10 tips you should be aware of when wanting to get started in e-business:

1. Choose a relevant domain name, a 2^nd level domain which is easy to remember, short and explicit and opt for the popular extensions (such as ".com" or ".org") and/or useful geographic extensions (such as ".be" or ".eu"). Be relevant by choosing a name which is directly related to your business and taking into account the search keywords used by your audience. Be aware of the variety of extensions that can usefully clarify your domain name. Choose a simple name that your audience will remember and find easy to use. Finally, avoid numbers, hyphens and letters such as "q" =, "x" and "z" if they do not have any specific relevance.
    
2. As a preventative measure, register certain variations of your domain name (other extensions and other 2^nd level domains).
    
3. Register the domain name for the maximum permitted period.
    
4. Regularly check the renewal dates for the domain name. For security, appoint different people within the company to carry out these checks.
    
5. Regularly update the registration details and information relating to the identity of the domain name holder and the administrative contact for the registry on the WHOIS database to avoid losing the domain name.
    
6. Draft a usage concession contract if you assign the management of the domain name to a business partner. Include in it the obligation to return the domain name at the end of the contract.
    
7. Keep a record of the usernames and passwords for the domain name management interface if you assign the management to a service provider. These data must remain confidential and be known to a limited number of individuals authorised by the company.
    
8. Keep a centralised record of the various domain names registered with different registries with a single office and manage this portfolio of domain names using a single interface provided by the appointed registrar. This avoids any confusion!
    
9. Ensure that you are alerted of any abusive registration of a domain name and react quickly by using the existing arbitration and legal procedures.
    
10. Finally, keep strategic domain names for a certain period even if they are no longer used in order to avoid cybersquatting and trade diversion practices.

For more information about the issue of domain names, please contact the electronic economy law department in the Telecommunications and Information Society division of the FPS Economy at the following address: e-economy@economie.fgov.be.