When you build a website for your online, service-based business, the first decision you need to make is what website address you will choose (a.k.a. URL, or Domain Name). After all, this is is the link you will use in all your marketing, your conversations and your emails. It will also determine your brand logos, colours and how you think and feel about your business.

No pressure! In this episode I walk you through the decision pros and cons of 4 different options and some ideas to mix and match if the decision seems impossible to make.

I've also included a quick summary below for you.

4 Brand Options

In this episode I'm going to start with a few assumptions.

Firstly I'm going to assume you are either an existing or future customer of mine.

This means:

• You are in a service based business (so you don't sell widgets via e-commerce)
• You know who your ideal client is
• You have, or are in the process of developing, a Flagship Framework so you can help clients get great results either working with them personally, or in a 1 to many program or course

If you haven't made the above decisions yet, then only one of the options below is a sensible thing for you choose (Personal Name). Otherwise you're wasting your time and resources, and very likely will need to renovate your brand when you get greater clarity.

If you need help, my Attract Your Tribe Academy has been designed specifically for you.

Personal Brand

This is your name. If you can't get your name as a URL (like www.janetbeckers.com) then try something like YourNameCoach.com or YourNameAuthor.com or similar.

Pros:

• Always grab your name if you can get it. You never know if you want to use it in the future
• Instant authority
• If your courses and services feature you as the authority, this can work well
• If you change your offerings or expand your market, you don't need to start a new website

Cons:

• If you are multi-passionate, you may want to have multiple brands over time and you may feel restricted only using your name for your business
• You need to sell YOU on your website, not just your solution

Mix and Match:

You can always own your name Domain Name and when your business website is complete, redirect your www.YourName.com to your About Me page on your new website.

Existing Business Brand

If you already have a business with a website or even just a name you have been using for quite a while you may want to use this. For example something like www.YourSuburbCounselling.com or www.GenericUmbrellaServices.com.

Pros:

• If your business name is well known and people will search for it online, then this is already an asset
• If the name relates closely to your niche and / or Flagship Framework then this is an easier option to use

Cons:

• If it's too general, it can be a waste of a branding opportunity and the other options will be better

Mix and Match:

You can always own your existing business name Domain Name and when your business website is complete, redirect your www.YourGeneralExistingBusinessName.com to your Contact page or a specific business information page on your new website.

Your Niche / Ideal Client Name Brand

If you work with people in a specific niche or who have a specific problem you can claim a domain with that title in it. For example www.BounceBackFromBreastCancer.com or www.MoneyMindsetSolutions or similar.com.

Pros:

• Claim leadership in that space
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