Existing Domain and SBI

ava · #1 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 08:13 PM

I already have a domain name. What's the process of using my existing domain with SBI?

max · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 11:44 PM

You can transfer your domain to SBI for free but I would take full advantage of the brainstorming tools because you may decide there is a better domain than the one you originally chose.

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 07:49 AM

Unless your existing domain is already getting some good traffic, I'd just create a new one with SBI!. As max said, you may discover a better / "more profitable" name.

amybiddle · #4 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 11:10 AM

Here here to Max and Lisa.

The market research tools in SBI are so incredibly good - you may find (as I did) that the domain name you choose after you brainstorm (a very specific process) is different from the domain name you would choose if you just pick from air.

A domain name may sound cool, but does it actually help draw free, organic traffic to you?

The greatest sound a domain name makes is "kaching!" (after, of course, the sound my/your readers make that says "thank you for providing great content!)

I love those emails -

ava · #5 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 11:42 AM

Everyone's so helpful here. What do you mean by a profitable domain?

amybiddle · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 11:58 AM

Hi Ava,

Sorry if I oversimplify to make my point. Some here might not know that a "domain" or "domain name" is the .com, .net, .org. etc name of your web site.

For example, spiritual-healing-secrets.com, is the domain, or domain name of my site.

I chose that name based on doing keyword research with SBI tools. There are ways of doing free keyword research too, using Google AdWords tools and other tools online. Those take a heck of a lot longer and aren't as efficient or thorough as SBI Brainstormer.

A profitable domain is an asset (for example, it works for you). I put keywords in my domain name and they help draw traffic. Traffic I might not otherwise reach.

An unprofitable domain is an expense (it doesn't help you, and as an untapped resource it is therefore working against you). You pay each year to renew it - the darn thing may as well be working for you!

For example, I could have called my site something cooler sounding (maybe metaguru.com). But first of all, what the heck is that, what does it mean? Cool doesn't pay the bills! Coolness comes after function, in my book.

Besides, there are other ways of being cool - so I just settle on those at the site.

After all, my readers aren't really looking for me (well, one was - an old high school friend from 20+ years ago was looking for me and found my site - that was neat) but all the other people who visit my site are looking for information. They want clarity every step of the way - yours will too. A clear domain name helps your readers and the search engines to find you.

Ok- that's probably simpler (sorry) and longer (oops) than you wanted.

ava · #7 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 10:54 PM

Makes perfect sense! Build for the searches. Amy you're great. Thanks so much for the valuable feedback!!

webdev · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2007, 02:34 PM

wow nice information amy. Site Build It tools will actually help you find a domain name in your niche? That is cool. I always struggled with domain names. Many times i thought if the domain name made sense after i bough a domain. I'm impatient when it come to finalizing domain because i just pic what makes sense to me or what sounds cool. But doing keyword search and choosing relevant keywords for your domain name make sense.

Liz · #9 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 05:13 AM

This is a fascinating discussion. Here's a question, I have a massage therapy practice called Body Wisdom. My current website, which I made before discovering SBI, is called [URL removed. Please put URL in sig file. Thanks!] . It is basically just a poorly made online brochure. However, I have had the name for years and it's on all my business cards.

My domain name expires in May and I'm in a quandry - do I renew it through SBI and keep using it or create a new one?

What I really like to do is to create a new one but keep the old one which immediately goes to the new one when my clients log on. I haven't a CLUE how to do this.

Can anyone help me out here?

Thanks! Liz

webdev · #10 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 08:45 AM

Liz, it is possible you can keep your existing domain and point it to your new domain. Now, i don't know if this is possible with SBI. Wheather SBI would allow you to point your existing domain to their DNS (Domain Name Server). Basically, the process is very simple. Let say you want to point your Domain 'A' hosted at Company 'A' to Company 'B', you basically change the Domian Name Server information of you old domain in the control panel to the new Domain Server Information given to you by Company 'B'. Usually, the Domain Name Server information is a set of domains like dns1.hostngcompanyname.com, dns2.hostngcompanyname.com.

Another way of doing this would through HTML code. In this case, in your index.html file, you will put the following code.

HTML Code:

<META HTTP-EQUIV="refresh" content="2;URL=http://www.yournewdomain.com">

This above code will take the user to your new site with the new domain when that user comes to your www.thebodywisdomcenter.com.

Hope this helps. Regarding the first method, im not sure if SBI would allow that.

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