Defensively Registering Domains: Psst, your park gate is open…

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 6 Minutes

I encountered another billboard while on my home that made me think about the importance of defensively registering domains.

I was able to quickly and safely pull off the road to capture a snapshot as the billboard stuck out to me for a number of reasons.

The billboards’s blue, white, and black hues are simple in design and layout, having an appealing white call-to-action text on a blue background.

Next, the billboard contained the logo and blue text describing its services placed on a white background.

Finally, at the bottom of the billboard in white text on a background was the domain name and phone number.

Most importantly, the billboard was well designed and well positioned for the nearly 180K plus Austin-based drivers that pass it daily along highway 183.

Knocking Stains Out of the Park

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
MLB Laundry Detergent And Stain Remover
Reading Time | 2 Minutes

Welcome back!  As I was in search of a sporting event the night we arrived home from the hospital after the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, I encountered MLB game.

Not much of a baseball fan outside of the Texas Rangers, I decided to let channel surfing rest and watch a few innings.

As innings progressed, I took notice of a billboard behind home plate.  

Although present, it wan’t the normal MLB team domain name that was on display as the main attraction and that caught my eye.

Curbside Groceries Coming to a Store Near You!

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 3 Minutes

Minding my own business, I was traveling form the Egg and I Restaurants located at 183 and Lakeline Blvd to my office out in Volente.

As I headed north and circled underneath 183 to head south, I encountered an interesting banner hanging in in front of a familiar Texas-based and founded supermarket.

The banner was quite interesting. You could tell this company put a lot of effort in branding this new service offering for their customers.

In a world of always connected devices, even a supermarket, also known as a grocery market or store, is finding a way to use the internet to its advantage.

I’m sure you’re wondering what company I’m referencing, right?

Tis’ the season for party cruises, barges, and boats…

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 6 Minutes

As I drove into work the other morning, I was reminded that summer is here.

How? Well, one of the first reasons I knew it was summer was that there were only 5 to 6 cars on my commute.

For the next 3 months, I can say that I’ll have Austin’s traffic beat.

Most of the time, my commute consists of seeing 2-3 school buses, teenage drivers and parents trying to get kids off to daycare and school.

The second reason I knew summer had arrived was that I saw Austin’s Affordable Party Bus, Fly-Rides.com, at the intersection 2769 and Bullock Hollow in route to Volente, which is where I office.

The music was blaring and it looked to be standing room only on the bus. I could make out trunks, bikinis and swimsuits so I know it had to be a high school or college end of school party.

Below is a picture of the bus i snapped on my way home the same day:

Austin's Affordable Party Bus

Nevertheless, I continued towards the office, envying the party bus of youth in their prime just living up the weekday with a lake party.

As I pulled into Volente, passing the Volente Shore Club, the third reason that let me know summer was here was seeing a white banner with blue text.

Expanding to Become a National Chain using Domain Names

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 6 Minutes

Okay, so you don’t own a global business and think there is not much business impact in owning the correct domain, right?

Well, what if your business was in its infancy, aspiring to stake its claim in a new national market?

How is your newcomer business going to bootstrap in a new market to become the national titan?

Or maybe you own and operate a seasoned, proven business that is poised to make a splash on a national level, capturing and shaking up market share.

There are various approaches in achieving national market share in a new space.

The use of Spanish domain names and the fastest-growing demographic

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 4 Minutes

Today’s post is quite short, or at least I’m thinking it will be short.

During Mother’s Day Weekend, I encountered a domain name that made scratch my head for more than a couple of reasons.

Initially, the delivery van pictured below passed my family and me. We were on our way to visit my wife’s parents and spend the weekend with them.

When I initially saw the van, I couldn’t make out the domain name, but, using my content clues, knew it was a catering van for Mexican food.

A National fast-food chain effectively using geo brand domains

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 3 Minutes

I probably shouldn’t indulge in today’s company I’ll soon mention as much and often as I do.

Truth be told, I just love their drinks and desserts.

I’ve been a big fan of this national chain for nearly 20 years and counting.

Heck, my boys are even getting introduced to this brand.

What impressed me most about the brand isn’t it’s food, but how they recently used a geo service domain name at one of its locations here in Austin.

I was quite surprised to see it when I pulled up to order a drink.

Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expo Makes A Splash Using Multiple Domain Names

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 7 Minutes

It’s Friday. It’s May. And the Texas heat is beginning to usher Spring out and Summer in.

We’ve had quite a few showers and thunderstorms over the past months that have filled our lakes beyond capacity here in Austin.

There’s only a few more weeks before schools out for summer, and our lakes are filled with boating, water skiing, jet skiing, laughter, swimming, and splashing.

In addition, there will be quite a bit of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs put into service this summer too.

Speaking pools, spas and hot tubs, I happened to catch a late night commercial in between the news and Jimmy Fallon that caught my eye. 

Should this Austin-based massage company change domain names?

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 4 Minutes

Hi There! I’m back today with a few more companies that are getting it right — meaning using a domain to drive greater customer growth and revenue while shutting the door on their competition.

Today, I want to briefly explore a few options and share a few thoughts with you about a recent sign I finally noticed that uses a geo service or keyword domain name.

How many characters are too many for a domain name’s length?

Alvin BrownLeave a comment
Reading Time | 3 Minutes

Most companies looking to create and launch their digital presence use their company’s name as their domain name.

Although I know there are nearly 350 million domain names currently registered and counting,
I wish I had specific numbers on how many businesses currently operate a domain name that matches their business name.

I see a variety of partial matches, exact matches, and brandable domains on a daily commute between work and home.

For instance, I encountered a company, Business Communication Solutions, using the shortened domain bcs-ip.com, yet they don’t own BusinessCommunicationSolutions.com or bcsip.com.DevOps Days Austin 2016

But this question of how long is too long for a domain name really hit home this week as I was on my way home from DevOpsDaysAustin.com.

As I was waiting at a light, a vehicle caught my eye. The coupe was wrapped with advertising for an Austin-based cleaning company.