Changing my Group name

[Suzie Nielsen]

Hi,

I would like to ask your expert advise in re-naming my site!

Please take a peek! Sweet Potato did an awesome job on my re-vamp- but it still comes down to my identity! What do you think? http://www.912communique.com/

#1. Can I do a name change?!!!!LOL!! (I have 3 domain names pointing to my site! Yikes!)

#2. How?

I inherited the site so I am not responsible for the name which lacks any identification of what I am!  When I have asked for critiquing in the past my name has been the most consistent complaint! 

#3.  Is a .com- the best way to go- what about .us or .net or any of the others??? or what about just use the .ning.com- then I could use the name I want....

The exact name I want is not available for the .com Domain name

I want  ConstitutionalConservatives.com  or ConstitutionalConservative.com

Both are taken Boo hoo!!!

So how about TheConstitutionalConservative.com  or  WeareConstitutionalConsevatives.com

Are those names too long?

Thank you so much for any input you may have! I just can't seem to decide what to do! (could be the addition of Morphine in my daily pain meds regime! Yikes!LOL!!!)

Toodles...Suz

[Patrick Chappelle]

1) You can change the name of your network, you can not change the name of your ning domain, but you're free to do so with your purchased registered domains. Neither is a particularly good idea if you've built up any kind of SEO, or have achieved a respectable level of brand recognition.

2) Again, if you're talking about changing the name of your network, you can do so from your dashboard under "Network Details". If you mean your domain, you change it the same way you set up you domain in the beginning.

3) You could use the Ning domain, but it does more for Ning than for your community. The decision as to which type of domain to use depends upon the kind of community you're running, as each type relates to a specific type of website: [dot]com= commercial, [dot]biz= business, [dot]org= organization, [dot]us= United States, etc.

As to your last concerns, the shorter the url, the better. You want something people are going to remember, and not have to spend all day typing into the navigation bar.

[Suzie Nielsen]

Patrick,

Thank you so much for all of your advise! I really appreciate it! I think if I change it- I will do it as a slow process- I bought the Domain name I wanted- now I think I will slowly use the name along with my existing- and as my existing Domains expire next year- I can slowly let go of them! I am pointing three domains now... I had completely forgotten even where to look for my name for editing!

Thanks so much,

Toodles...Suzie

[Patrick Chappelle]

You're welcome, Susan. Best of luck to you.

[Janettee McCrary]

I was going to suggest .us based on the site topic and that it's shorter - did you use .us? I did for my website and for my network (even though it's global) mostly because .com was taken, but also because I'm patriotic and of course, it's shorter:)

[Suzie Nielsen]

Hi Janette,

I ended up with TheConstitutionalConservatives.com (we will refer to her as "TCC")

I really did not like the idea of the The or the plural conservatives- but the more I say it out loud the more I like it! But I just hope I can pull this off without loosing or confusing any members- from the way I understand Patrick's explanation- for all intents and purposes I can make the site appear to be "TCC"- even my broadcasts or blasts of forum posts  will come from TCC- I can even point the Domain so for searches that is good- but it sounds like a forever connection to 912Communique in the browser line?! I think that is what he said!LOL!!

I am glad to hear that you used the .us- I was so tempted - I can add the .us- it would sound good! You are right it would be patriotic... BTW- Are You patriotic? or your site? or both??!!LOL!!

Thanks,

Toodles...Suzie

[Janettee McCrary]

Hi Susan! If you have go through and change everything, you'll find that there are NO references to your old name at all. This is a good thing, because when "branding" you want to be consistent. I would make sure you don't forget to change your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc if you have those too.

LOL I'm VERY patriotic:) My site isn't super patriotic because it's global, but I DO celebrate Veterans Day and other such holidays we celebrate here in the US. I'm sure everyone on my network has figured out I'm American and proud of it LOL. :)