Does your domain send the right message?

Often times, the domain name is the first part of a website a person sees. It might be on a search engine results page, a bus stop advertisement, or on another website. Thus it is important to make sure it sends the right message. Look at the following domains, however, and you will see why the registrant maybe should have thought twice before clicking “Purchase.”

1. whorepresents.com
At first glance, this looks like a gift store for prostitutes when in fact the site is a a celebrity agent contact database called Who Represents.

2. democracyinaction.com
Titled DemocracyInAction, the domain could just as easily be used for an anti-government site called DemocracyInaction

3. therapistfinder.com
Whether you’re looking for a rapist or a therapist to help you later on, this website has you covered.

4. penisland.net
This isn’t what it looks like.

5. dickssportinggoods.jobs
Not the job you thought you were applying for?

These aren’t the only examples out there. It is easy to see why one should think about the sort of message a domain sends before registering. A name might look perfectly fine to you, but look like something totally different to everyone else. That’s why I always run my domain ideas by a few friends before making any sort of commitment.

Photo | jynmeyer