Can the ampersand (sp) sign (&) be used in a domain name. The name of my company is S & S Bonsai. I don't think I have ever seen it used (&) now that I think about using it for me.

I would hate to have to change my name just to get a good domain name.

Any suggestions??

Just tried it and response from my regestrar is Invalid IDN entered

www.s-bonsai.com

www.s-and-s-bonsai all available

www.bonsaitreespecialist available, and very Yahoo friendly

Well, it sounds like I am going to have to do a name change. I think to have my web address different from everything else, i.e. businesscards, etc., it would make it too confusing for the customer.
KISS.......keep it simple stupid!!!

Steven, i know that someone will drop in and swear blind your url has no effect on google, yahoo etc. BUT

if you check virtually any subject matter , more so in Yahoo than google, relevant url's are prominent in top ten

hence my last suggestion

adding /plantfood helps for someone looking for bonsai tree plant food specialist

/growingguide might help find your useful guide you sell (in other thread)

my trading name is Handmade By Me

My main url is www.jewelleryhandmade.co.uk and .com

I agree, relevant domain name matters.

There is no good reason why your domain name needs to be the same as your legal business name. Getting a decent search ranking for relavant keywords is. Scenario, if someone finds your site online and they want to do business with you your info is on the website (they won't be going to to the phone book to look you up because you've already provided contact info). Do keep the domain name simple i.e. easy to remember (therefore bonsiaguy.com is much better than ss-bonsiaspecialistsofnigeria.com).

And there is no reason you can't have multiple domains that point to different portions of your site if you don't go crazy.

Good Luck!

It certainly doesn't hurt seo.

I will be intrigued to see what domain Steven chooses, especially if he knows how to set up addon domains

main Hosting domain :: www.bonsai4fun as a nice easy to remember main domain (login etc.)(available)

www.bonsaitreespecialist as addon great search engine food

www.bonsaitreespecialist.com/plantfood for great plant food and so on and so forth ie/fertiliser Oh and /forum

You guys are giving me some good ideas. Thanks

I will not be able to get the host untill Monday. I would rather be able to talk to them on the phone and ask a few questions and no one seems to be open for sales on the phone on the weekend.

That will give me time to think of a name.

Have a play with this regestra domain tool, might be helpfull, and i think if you want a few, might save you some money,

I will recommend them, i have used them for ages, put most of my friends with them also

They have a free site builder (not suitable for you Steven, NO FTP), but have a good look at all they offer, .mobi etc might be of interest to you

Where in the world are u Steven ?