How do YOU use your own Name as a Domain?

[AlexNewell]

Many of us have our own domain name as a domain. That is we have our own JoeDoe.com but are we using it?

I am not and I'm wondering about how others here in the forum are using their own name domain ...

Do you use it as a

Personal blog?
Helpdesk ?
Branding blog?
Something else entirely?

I'd love to know...

Thanks

:-)

[TraciKnoppe]

For me, it's about branding. I was shocked when I was checking my stats at how many folks were finding my sites by searching for my name.

Since I do public speaking, as well as IM, I am first branding me and my reputation - so I for those folks that were searching for me by name, wanted to have a one-stop site where they can find my other web sites.

[AlexNewell]

"I was shocked when I was checking my stats at how many folks were finding my sites by searching for my name"

WOW Traci -that's a golden nugget of info there. Thank You!

[TraciKnoppe]

LOL Well I'm going to guess that folks searching for my name is a good thing. My last name is not terribly common, so I'm assuming it was an intentional search.

[YvonneJ]

Good Morning Traci and Alex, Quick stop here. I use my name for my skin care blog. Perhaps I would have done something different now, but that was a year ago when I was brand new on the internet and everyone was telling you to make sure to purchase your name as a domain. As a Skin Care and Image Consultant I started posting on those topics, but due to corporate restrictions, the links have to be kept at a minimum so I'm working on widening the scope of the blog.

[AlexNewell]

"corporate restrictions" - interesting Yvonne - is that on the ranges of products you supply?

[YvonneJ]

No, not on the products - no limit there, but MK Legal Department has specific ways that you can link to your MK website and could contact you if you fail to comply. For example, my article on sunscreen, I'd love to do a direct link to products on my consultant website that fit the criteria. That's not permissible. There are about just 4 stated ways I can put a general link to my website at www.marykay.com/yjones. And you just reminded me that I've not been doing that recently. Thanks, Alex :)

[AlexNewell]

yw Yvonne, Hehe!

There must be tons of Natural and Health Care products with fewer hassles but I guess you would not have the brand name recognition working for you...

[retta719]

I used mine as sort of a landing page to put on my business card. It's just an HTML page with links to a few of my websites. It currently needs a little work and some updating, but it's served it's purpose pretty well so far. http://www.lorettaoliver.com I also included links to all my social media type accounts like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, etc...

[AlexNewell]

Name domain as social hub!

That is a very cool design retta! Like it how you have put your pic on the laptop.

Thx

[angienewton]

I use mine as landing page/social hub

http://www.angienewton.com

Needs major work but at least it's out there LOL

[AlexNewell]

Thanks Angie - as you say it's out there - which is more than mine is right now!

[mommyenterprises]

I purchased my name domain for a personal/business blog.

[deannatroupe]

I actually have two. I have the one I had when I was single - http://www.deannaspencer.com which I just use to ramble on about whatever I feel like talking about (it had some page rank so I couldn't bear to just get rid of it). I also have http://www.deannatroupe.com which is housing my coaching business (need to work on that one). I hope that answered your question, Alex.

[AlexNewell]

You sure did deanna - answered twice really!!

I did not think of having 2 name domains!

Thanks!

[lindastacy]

I use mine as sort of an "about my business/websites" and "contact me" site.

[deannatroupe]

Alex, when I got married, I had to get another domain name to reflect the name change. I still wanted the people who didn't know I had gotten married to be able to find me, so that's why I kept the other one.

[AlexNewell]

@ Deanna - I get it,Thanks! just that I had not thought of having 2 - that's all

@ Linda thanks - looks like I gotta get going with mine soon!!

:-)

[retta719]

It's kind of fun to see whatever has done with their name domains! Glad you asked about this.

[AlexNewell]

It IS fun isn't it? It's given me lots of ideas and I'll probably pop a blog on my own name domain this weekend...

Rather than have some super cool design and layout like you 'retta I may just use it as my soapbox for ...rants, poetry...who knows?

:-)

[Ellen C Braun]

I never did buy my name, but perhaps I ought to do so!

[AlexNewell]

Yeah - even if you do not use it you prevent someone else using it and perhaps diluting your brand...

[Sheakay]

I'm so glad you asked this question. I've really be re-thinking how I use mine http://shannonstoltz.com now that I'm making the transition away from a service based business. I love what Loretta and Nicole Dean have done with their's, but still am debating on what I want to accomplish with it, especially since I have different audiences (corporate and personal). The examples everyone is sharing is helping me think through this some more.

Thanks for asking the question Alex!

[AlexNewell]

Glad it's helping folks - it's certainly helping me. I love the way Loretta has her name domain laid out...I don't think I've seen Nicole's...better have a look now...

:-)

What's the domain name? (Just kiddin')

[Angela Wills]

Great question!

Mine needs work and it's basically got the same purpose as Loretta's and Angie's but I think it's got too many pages.

Here's my domain name site:
http://www.AngelaWills.com

and I also did a bit of a resume site here with my name that gets me on page 1 of Google for my name too:
http://www.HireAngelaWills.com

both need to be updated but they're out there too

[AlexNewell]

I think they're awesome too, Pine - that's why I asked the question!!

And welcome to the SSWT forum too!!

:-)

[angienewton]

Glad it could help you, Pine! Welcome to SSWT. Feel free to introduce yourself so we can get to know you. And if you have any questions, ask away!

[KarenMcG]

Oh, this is a terrific thread!

I purchased my name for a domain a couple years ago, and all I've done is link it to my primary Web site, Konceptuality.

I'm seeing some really good ideas here that I can do with it, too...or instead of.

Thanks, Alex, for the original question.

[AlexNewell]

"Thanks, Alex, for the original question"

You're welcome Karen. This comes out of Lynn's Challenge to us to get our act together and plan 2010.

So I get my domains list printed out and start to optimise all I have BEFORE I can buy any more!!

It's like not getting any dinner until I get my homework done!

So the name domain is there in the list and off I go to my brainstorming buddies @ SSWT to get some examples and ideas.

I'm much better at questions than answers...

[AlexNewell]

Any domain registrar will do:these guys may well be the cheapest (http://domaincheapsters.com/)otherwise stick to any place you are happy with

[InesB]

When your personal name is also your brand name you should use it for your domain. Otherwise when people only remember your product and not your name it is useless.

I use my own domain name for social purposes.

You will ideally want your own domain to give it more credibility and to make sure they will not shut down your site for whatever reason (especially when you expect for example earnings from your new site).

[drmani]

I use mine as a personal branding site, and as a pointer to major sections of my online presence. Having bought different extensions, I use each for a purpose.

http://www.DrMani.com - General
http://www.DrMani.biz - Business
http://www.DrMani.org - Non-Profit
http://www.DrMani.name - General

An important way to help build your presence online using your name as a domain would be to link it to social network profiles you've set up e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc.

Hope this helps.

All success
Dr.Mani

[AlexNewell]

Thanks Dr. Mani - and I was wondering what to do with 1 name domain!!

:-)

[deniseoberry]

Good question Alex. I recommend every single person have their name as a domain name whether you use it or not. (Good baby gift too!)

I've had http://www.deniseoberry.com since 2003 and have used it in different ways. Originally it was a portal page to my other sites, but I've transitioned it to one of the main places where I offer tools, tips and advice for small business owners.

I'm in the process of transitioning out some of my other sites that were similar and having this site be the main source. People mostly find me using my name anyway, so it just makes sense.

[drmani]

Thanks Dr. Mani - and I was wondering what to do with 1 name domain!!

:-)

Actually, I picked up all the extensions during a special promo for a discount... and then figured what to do with them! :)

Dr.Mani