In a rush, preparing for Thursday’s big launch, it really helps that Nicole Dean, co-owner, of Mom Webs (my preferred web hosting) is guest posting today for me about the first critical step to starting a blog–with the goal of making money online. And, if you’re a Muslim Mom, I need more of you in this blogosphere with me.

Start a Muslim Mommy Blog!

More and more moms are getting into the blogging scene. Some for fun, some for profit, and some for both. Why not make money while you’re blogging about your favorite stuff, right?

It’s easier than ever to get started blogging. But the first thing you need before you begin is an idea for your domain name.

What is a domain name?

It’s the “www (dot) SOMETHING (dot) com” that people will type in to get to your blog. It’s like your address.

There are some standards for what is a “great” domain name, though, verses one that makes you wonder what on earth that person was thinking!

In order to help you to come up with a great web name that you’ll love for years, here are my unbreakable rules for choosing a domain.

Rules to Choosing a Domain

1. No hyphens. Avoid dashes and hyphens. I’ve been there. Done that. Regret it to this day.

2. No numbers. Do I spell it out “seven” or is it the number “7??
3. Avoid words that are difficult to spell. Although I once was really excited about using a domain with the word “catalyst” in it — I found that no one could spell the darned thing.
4. Domain should end in .com. I don’t bother with other endings like .info or .biz. People tend to type in .com at the end of everything, so it’s usually best to stick with a .com ending.
5. Domain must NOT have any copyright names in it. I would not recommend using “Starbucks”, “Disney”, or any other company name in your URL or you may get a “cease and desist” email. Yes, even though you’re starting as a little mom blogger, eventually you might get huge. So, it’s best to plan for success in advance and avoid using trademarks in your URL.
6. If I’m looking to sell your blog down the road, it must be generic enough. For instance, I wouldn’t buy “NicoleKnowsFootball.com” to talk about my favorite football team if I planned to sell the site ever, because I’d have to find someone named Nicole to buy it.

And my big, bad unbreakable rule.
7. It must pass the Oprah test.

What exactly is the Oprah test? Well, I picture Oprah saying it out loud. “Today I have with me, Nicole Dean, author of Blah blah blah and owner of NicoleontheNet.com”. Is it memorable? Easy to spell?

You can’t do that with MyNumber1-BestHome-Remedy-Treatments4New-Mothers.net.

Why is this Important?

A difficult domain is actually wasted opportunity and wasted traffic slipping through your fingers. If you’re promoting via audio or video (maybe on podcasts or on YouTube) – you need a domain that is EASY to remember. It has to make it into the person’s ears and to his brain and stick. Heck, even if you run into an old college friend and say “Stop by my site www (dot) somethingcool (dot) com” – you’ll want her to remember long enough to actually come to your blog, right? So, make it simple. Make it memorable. And you’ll be glad.
Plus, honestly, it’s a credibility issue. Would you really buy something from MyNumber1-BestHome-Remedy-Treatments4New-Mothers.net? I hope you wouldn’t even think of getting out your credit card for a site like that. SCARY. And would you feel comfortable referring it to your friends? Not a chance.

How do you get a domain?

You can get a domain at www.MomWebs.com which is also my recommendation for Web Hosting. As you sign up for your domain, you can get hosting at the same time. And… they’ll even set up your blog for you for only $10. Plus, there’s a phone number that you can call if you have any questions.
With all of that help, there’s nothing stopping you from setting up your first blog.
I hope this has been helpful. And, I really look forward to seeing YOU on Oprah!

Nicole Dean is co-owner of Mom Webs Hosting – www.MomWebs.com where you’ll find the host with the most. It offers everything a mom blogger needs – reliability, unlimited hosting, and customer service that never makes you feel intimidated — all at a price you can afford. MomWebs.com was created to help overcome the technical hurdles that may be preventing moms from sharing themselves with the online world. Check out the free training at MomWebs.com

Want to Start a Blog? First, You’ll Need a Great Web Domain Name! is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

MomWebs.com web hosting is the most affordable and reliable web hosting company. I should know because this is my 4th company in 7 years and I’m not planning to leave ever! We just found out that Kelly is running this Promo video contest tonight, so here’s my daughters’ and my video slideshow sharing the

Top 10 Reasons Mom Webs web hosting rocks!

This video clip was produced, illustrated, and narrated by me and my 9 and 8 year old daughters. The funny jokes were created by the girls, and the “dalmatians question” was really asked for clarification. Enjoy!

“Top 10 Reasons MomWebs Web Hosting Rocks”  slideshow

Because we couldn’t upload our video clip to youtube due to its untimely maintenance last night, the quickest way we knew how to make a slideshow was through smilebox, a photo video sharing program we have, and we were too rushed to figure out how to make a video clip of a slideshow (MP4 file) with MS PowerPoint. But, we kept it, because we like it. It would be better without the Smilebox introduction though…

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I love this banner because Mom Webs is MY Virtual life preserver and everything in my video is true. In the past, I had a web host that didn’t give me ftp access, another had *horrible* customer support, I didn’t get unlimited email addresses or domain and subdomains, and all the others were much more expensive! So, click here now to see all the different affordable plans –as low as $10 a month!

Top 10 Reasons MomWebs.com web hosting rocks! is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog