What are domain names?

A domain name is the textual identifier for a website, for example: romwebs.com It is also commonly referred to as an address.

When a person searches, the keyword(s) they enter are compared with the available website content indexes. Due to the large number of webpages indexed, direct text-only-matching is rare, rather search engines use sophisticated logics (algorithms) to rank potential matches. For example, the underlying information hierarchy of a webpage (semantic markup) may be factored into the ranking a webpage is assigned.

Tips on choosing a domain name:

Organisation, product or service?

Ideally you should choose a domain name that matches either the name of your organisation, or the product and/or service your organisation provides.

If possible register a single-word domain name.

Use keywords in your domain name that people are likely to enter into a search engine when looking for your product or service. For example (if your company sells design works): www.designworks.co.uk

If registered a product-related domain name consider registering both the singular and plural forms. For example: www.designwork.co.uk and www.designworks.co.uk

Avoid words that people are likely to misspell.

Avoid names that combine letters, numbers and/or abbreviations. For example: www.cars4U.co.uk — before long, you’ll be needing to spell-out your website or email address, either over the phone or at a social engagement. The more variation you have in your domain name, the less likely it is that someone will remember it accurately.* (This is unless you have the budget for a media campaign to have your domain name enter the public consciousness — or at least the consciousness of your target audience.)

*The exception seems to be technology/new media companies, where number-noun brand names are de rigueur.

You may check for availability of .co.uk names by contacting Nominet.uk