Forum and forums

[Shawn Gossman]

Hey all,

When speaking in terms of domain names, do you all have any opinion or specifications about using the word "forum" of "forums" in a domain name? I personally don't like to use "forums" in the domain because of the "s". How about you all, how do you all feel about this topic?

[Arantor]

Specifically re 'forum' vs 'forums', that's largely down to the software's terminology as to what people use, I find.

SMF considers the entire installation to be 'the forum', and each area inside it is a 'board'. Other software, off-hand I know phpBB does the opposite, and IIRC XenForo too, such that 'the board' is the entire installation, and each area is a 'forum', meaning that 'forums' as a plural is accurate when you have multiple areas for discussion.

Putting it the domain can be good if you intend the site to be just a forum and never branch out too much. It can also be important if the word itself is part of the brand - like here. But if not, you're probably best to steer clear of putting 'forum' in the domain in case you later expand and don't want to have 'forum' in the domain because you have more than just a forum.

[Shawn Gossman]

I sometimes worry about registering domain names with "forum" or "forums" in them for the reasons above. If they don't work out as a forum, I really cannot make them in to a non-forum website, haha. Plus I am trying to cut down on my domain buying addictions

[Hoodie]

In somewhat the same regards to using forum in a domain name..  What do you think about using online in a domain name?  Most sites wouldn't use this in their branding such as Shawn's network of Another______Forum..  But what if the domain name you want is already taken..

[Shawn Gossman]

"Online" is a domain is good One of my competitors, www.SkywarnOnline.com has a fairly successful forum.

[Hoodie]

So then what about this _______ (Keyword or Niche topic) _________ (Branding Name) online.com

Example:  chargernationonline.com

Think that would work or too much?

[Arantor]

I think it can work but I also think it can work against you by making the domain rather long. Usually it's best if you're just sticking to (keyword) online.com, or (branding) online.com, rather than the combination.

If you're able to work with an established brand, like Skywarn, skywarnonline works - because it's showing the branding+online. If you're trying to create a new branding, perhaps go for keyword+branding rather than keyword+branding+online.

[Hoodie]

I think it can work but I also think it can work against you by making the domain rather long. Usually it's best if you're just sticking to (keyword) online.com, or (branding) online.com, rather than the combination.

If you're able to work with an established brand, like Skywarn, skywarnonline works - because it's showing the branding+online. If you're trying to create a new branding, perhaps go for keyword+branding rather than keyword+branding+online.

The keyword+branding.com for what I currently came up with is taken, unless I don't use the .com but I'd prefer that..  I thought keyword+branding+online.com might be a bit too long..

Hmm..  Guess I should come up with something more unique for the branding..

[Shawn Gossman]

I wanted "adminforum.com" for this place but I saw like 8 different adminforum.TLD or adminforums.TLD using that same "admin forum" name and I though, how can I be unique but still present my forum as another admin forum

[Jessi]

I personally don't mind the 's' so long as it makes sense. Obviously "anotheradminforums" wouldn't work because 'another' implies singularity. The "plural" wouldn't sound right, but for other domains, it works fine.