Which domain should I choose?

[twn]

I am trying to name my personal blog after myself. I don't want to reveal my name on here, so let's say that my name is John Smith. I want my blog to be at johnsmith.com, but the domain is taken. Johnsmith.net and john-smith.com are still available however. I'd much rather have a domain with .com over .net, but I'd also much rather have a name without hyphens. I'm looking for a public opinion here: which of the two is better to go with and why?

 

[daj]

I'd go with the .net, as the hyphen is too often forgotten, especially if you're speaking to someone within a conversation. You could also send an email to the .com owner, to see what price they'd be willing to sell it at. You may be able to get it for cheap from them, or talk them down to get a reasonable price that works for you (* that is if they don't have the same name as you and they're a domainer).

 

[johname]

what about using your middle intial?

 

[Larry Fling]

Just use the .NET. That`s what i do..

 

[0lgi]

You could always use JohnSmith.me too if .COM is pricey

 

[johname]

You could always use JohnSmith.me too if .COM is pricey

he would go .co if hes that desperate

 

[DnEbook]

its a videocentric world .......... .tv

 

[howinfo]

I would go for .net, just my personal preference. I have also noticed that in UK lot of people are using hyphens in the name just to separate the words and it is quite wide spread, some cases the non hyphenated version is not even taken.

 

[Erdy]

Twn,
Just use Johnsmith.net. Otherwise how are you going to say your email address on the phone? [email protected] would sound really rubbish.

 

[asdomar]

.net

 

[NetOctave]

Go with .net or try jSmith.com if it is available.

If you are going to use the domain for your email id, then some mails could end up with the .com owner if you are going to use the .net.

Let us know what you decided at the end.

 

[lincolndsp]

.net or ijohnsmith.com

 

[SEOjmci]

I had similar situation few years ago, I wanted to have first name, but it already gone.

how about johns.com ? ( That's the solution I'd few years ago )

 

[lll]

net is a great choice!

 

[cache]

what is your purpose of this personal blog? If you don't want to spend much time to make it big, then it really does not matter because no one would care. If you want to make it big, then find .com

 

[DU]

he would go .co if hes that desperate

It's a personal blog. There are plenty of people probably more famous than the OP using .me

There's no shame in it, you know.

I'd use a nickname though. I don't see the point of using a real name on a blog... you can't come up with anything original?

That said. Given the two options. NET.

 

[bgmv]

.net, absolutely nothing wrong with it