When you're choosing your domain names, deciding on your branding and what to have as your online identity can be a difficult decision. You can register anything that's available, and put your own stamp on it! To give you a few handy hints, we have developed the Domainmonster guide, to buying and selecting your domain name!

Don't start work developing an idea around a domain that you don't yet own. Check it's available to register, then jump in and grab it!

Is the name you want trademarked by someone else, but they're using a different TLD? It's always worth a quick Google search to check you won't get yourself into sticky situations when you register your name. The last thing you want is someone with the trademark coming after you!

Try not to use hyphens in the domain name if you can help it, this is obviously personal preference, but sometimes hyphenated names are more difficult for your customers to remember.

Before you register the domain name, write it out. Does it look good? Is it easy to read with the intended meaning clear? Beware of words that have alternative meanings when placed side by side, like the most famous example therapistfinder.com!

If your website is going to be about something specific, try and base your domain name round keywords associated with your business. For example if you are running a letting agency, you might try domain names centred around property, lettings, rent etc.

Say the domain out loud before registering it. Is it easily pronounceable over the phone if you need to repeat it to clients, or request support?

If you're ordering your domain over the phone, don't be afraid to check and double check the spelling with the operator, because once it's registered, it's yours!

Have your target market in mind when you register your domain name. Would it be better to register a professional, informal, funny, or traditional name?

Read up on new and emerging terms and snap up the domains centred round these before anyone else does!

If you are buying lots of names, it's worth grouping your purchases into batches, that way you can still qualify for the bulk discounts, but you spread the costs at renewal time!

Again, good old Google search! Does someone else offering a similar service already have the same name with a different TLD? If so, consider changing your name to avoid losing traffic to a competitor and possible brand confusion.

If you're able, register your name in all the most popular TLDs (.com, .co.uk, .org, .net etc) to ensure scammers and cyber squatters don't get a hold of your online identity.

If you're able, register common typos of your domain, one in six domain names are mistyped in an address bar! You can then engage a simple web forward rounding up all the traffic to the correct location!

And finally, the more memorable and unique you can make your domain name, the better!