Own name or company name for website? Thread poster: Kate Larabie
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Kate Larabie 
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:35
French to English
Hi all,
I have started to get more and more direct clients asking for my website address - which has prompted me to want to set up a web page of my own.
My question is though: would it be better to make my domain name as my own given name, or have a company name?
I have found a few other freelancer sites that use their own names as domain names and I was wondering if anyone knew of any advantages/disadvantages to using a company name?
Any inpu... See more Hi all,
I have started to get more and more direct clients asking for my website address - which has prompted me to want to set up a web page of my own.
My question is though: would it be better to make my domain name as my own given name, or have a company name?
I have found a few other freelancer sites that use their own names as domain names and I was wondering if anyone knew of any advantages/disadvantages to using a company name?
Any input would be much appreciated!!
Many thanks in advance. ▲ Collapse
| | | | John Rawlins
Spain
Local time: 07:35
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Another option | Aug 18, 2009 |
Another option is to buy a domain name that says something about your work. This will help new clients find you. To do this, you must list the keywords that a potential client might use when looking for your type of translation services. A simple example for a French to English translator could be: french-translator.com/net/co.uk/biz/info/etc.
These names are almost certainly taken - but try adding a speciality or regional variation. For example, the following names are probably ava... See more Another option is to buy a domain name that says something about your work. This will help new clients find you. To do this, you must list the keywords that a potential client might use when looking for your type of translation services. A simple example for a French to English translator could be: french-translator.com/net/co.uk/biz/info/etc.
These names are almost certainly taken - but try adding a speciality or regional variation. For example, the following names are probably available: french-translator-london.com or french-translator-medical.co.uk.
In my experience, this approach will help you achieve a very high position in any Google (or other) search that is relevant to your business.
[Edited at 2009-08-18 10:45 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 07:35
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
| Your own name | Aug 18, 2009 |
Kate Larabie wrote:
I have started to get more and more direct clients asking for my website address - which has prompted me to want to set up a web page of my own.
Your direct clients know you by name, so your name would be most memorable. They probably also know how to spell your name . So katelarabie.co.uk (or even kate-larabie.co.uk, pronounced "kate hyphen larabie" over the phone) would be perfect for you. If you use katelarabie.co.uk, you can print your name and surname in the web address in two slightly different colours or fonts on your business card.
| | | | Sebastian Witte
Germany
Local time: 07:35
Member (2004)
English to German
+ ...
| Only if your name sounds cool | Aug 18, 2009 |
Samuel Murray wrote: Kate Larabie wrote:
I have started to get more and more direct clients asking for my website address - which has prompted me to want to set up a web page of my own. Your direct clients know you by name, so your name would be most memorable. They probably also know how to spell your name . So katelarabie.co.uk (or even kate-larabie.co.uk, pronounced "kate hyphen larabie" over the phone) would be perfect for you. If you use katelarabie.co.uk, you can print your name and surname in the web address in two slightly different colours or fonts on your business card.
Only advisable if your name sounds cool. I opted for a made up domain name. Also has the advantage of hinting at the nature of your services which your real name does not.
Through skilled choice of meta keywords (search engine optimization), you can still be found by name (given the prospect or regular has basic search engine skills such as entering your full name in quotes, which a lotta "folks"/people have nowadays).
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Edward Vreeburg
Netherlands
Local time: 07:35
Member (2008)
English to Dutch
+ ...
| what does it look like? | Aug 18, 2009 |
www.katelarabie.com
Does not strike me immediately as a French English translation agency,
Rather something in Arabia.
If I know I'm looking for your details it's fine, but If I just want any translator,
I might skip it if it came up in Google, So are you looking to provide information to existing clients (status of their project, vacation details) or are you looking for new cus... See more www.katelarabie.com
Does not strike me immediately as a French English translation agency,
Rather something in Arabia.
If I know I'm looking for your details it's fine, but If I just want any translator,
I might skip it if it came up in Google, So are you looking to provide information to existing clients (status of their project, vacation details) or are you looking for new customers???
Ed ▲ Collapse
| | | | | your name + your work | Aug 18, 2009 |
I use www.antranslator.com. It's not the best, but it has my initials in there (since my full name is not cool) and it says something about my work, like John mentioned.
| | | | Kate Larabie
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:35
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
That's a good point actually, Ed!
I have had the Kate Larabie having something to do with "L'Arabie" confusion before!!!
I hoping the website would act as an online 'company brochure' for existing clients to have a look at for their interest - but I suppose mainly to attract new clients! ; )
| | | | | Maybe a mixture | Aug 18, 2009 |
I have a mixture if that's any help... my initials are PMB - so I called my website PMB translations ( www.pmbtranslations.co.uk ) My work email was already called that so it seemed to be the natural next step!
I do like John's idea of the domain name directly related to your work though - especially with the google ratings
<... See more I have a mixture if that's any help... my initials are PMB - so I called my website PMB translations ( www.pmbtranslations.co.uk ) My work email was already called that so it seemed to be the natural next step!
I do like John's idea of the domain name directly related to your work though - especially with the google ratings
[Edited at 2009-08-18 13:11 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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| Sebastian, your name _is_ cool | Aug 25, 2009 |
Sebastian Witte wrote:
Only advisable if your name sounds cool. I agree, but then I am wondering why you opted for a made up domain name. "Sebastian Witte" does sound really cool, I would say.
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