Domain: Naming my blog

[ThePinched]

Hi all,

I am interested in using my name (firstname and lastname) for my blog. I have two options:

1. I already own a domain of my last name and could set up a blog like this: firstname.lastname.com
2. Just buy a domain firstnamelastname.com

Is there an advantage in one way over the other. Do you recommend/like one way over the other?

[Nathan]

I wouldn't recommend using your name as your domain name at all unless you have a very popular name that people are going to google. You want your domain name to be keywork rich, and most people's names are not looked up very often in google, even for personal blogs.

[ThePinched]

Thanks. I am confused though. When you google this subject you get many people arguing for the use of real names behind blogs. I was thinking of using a clever domain name i have, which has a good keyword in it, but i was swayed the other way.

(All dot coms)
alistercameron
chrisbrogan
blog.penelopetrunk
blog.guykawasaki

I know these are well known people, so I am relatively unknown. Is it because they are well known that they use their names or is it we have come to know them (bit of chicken or the egg). Hmmm...

[MindTweaks]

That's a good question, and there's a lot to think about.

First up, of course, is the whole "what's the goal of your blog?"
If you don't know yet, that's ok, too. But that has a lot to do with whether your actual name is a good domain title or not.

Keep in mind that using your name as your domain means YOU are the brand, and it's all about what you think about your topics. To pull it off, you need to be charismatic and outgoing. You don't need to start off as a "name" but you need to be comfortable with doing a lot of straight up self-promotion ... there's no buffer, when you use your own name as your domain/blog title.

Another thing to consider: If you use your name, you're limited on some future possibilities. Later on, you can't bring in a blogging partner and make it a team effort. And on the chance you developed a huge readership and wanted to sell it? Having your name as the domain makes it much less likely you could do that.

On the other hand, a LOT of online promotion these days is based around being real, being human, being transparent and building relationships. Using your name works well for that : )

I'm not so worried about search engine results.... relying on Google too much will bite you, in the end, when they inevitably change their algorithm. Use what works for you, and makes sense for you, and ignore most of what the supposed gurus have to say

Personally, I'm a fan of clever domain names!

[trailofpen]

I don't think it matters to tell you the truth. I don't think there is any advantage of one over the other except for the fact that for one you would be using up a subdomain. I think you should save your cash and just use your purchased domain and not use a different sub just for the blog, unless the main domain has something on it already.

[trailofpen]

and not to hijack your thread... but if anyone looked at the "Recent blog" on my last post. Yes it was a spelling error, and no it's not about gardening...

[ThePinched]

so if i want to use a domain name that is not my name then how could I also brand myself. Use my linkedin, facebook, and stumbleupon accounts with my real name. That would work i guess. would that confuse the reader? This is still befuddling as I can see why not to use my name, but then I do want people to see me for the visibility. Is there an optimal way to do this?

[Nathan]

I like MindTweak's take on the issur. I agree that many people these days want a vivid personality behind the blogs. If you are able to pull it off, then you will pull in a lot of subscriber traffic.

[swillard8]

I don't think there is a problem with having a name as your blog, personally, I like the firstname.lastname.com idea!

[MindTweaks]

Originally Posted by ThePinched

so if i want to use a domain name that is not my name then how could I also brand myself.

Make sure that your blog is set so your name displays with each post, not "admin". Put your photo and name where it's visible on your blog... like high up on the sidebar, for instance, or even in the header. If it's suitable, you could even put your name in your blogs tagline. On your about page, you reveal more about yourself, along with the info about the blog, etc.

For really good examples, check out Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net and Brian Clark of Copyblogger.com -- their given names and their blog/domain names are nearly synonymous, even though both often have more guest authors now, than their own posts.