Which Domain Extension You Should Use for Your Trucking Company Domain

If your domain name is like your address on the Internet then your domain extensionis your zip code.  Most of us associate domain extensions or top level domain (TLD) with .com which is the most common and universally accepted TLD; however, there are other options.  Whether they are better options is debatable but be aware of what they are.

Originally, the TLD was intended to make a connection between the website and its product, and group it with other like websites.  For better or worse, .com and its subsequent popularity and first choice status has made it the domain extension that most people are conditioned to type in.  The fact of the matter is that it is the best known, most recognizable, and most often used TLD.  For that reason it continues to be the safest bet in selecting a domain extension and the most popular for a reason.
 
There are other unsponsored and unrestricted domains, some more better known and recognizable than others.  For example .info like its name infers is for informational websites; .net for technical network sites; .org for non-profit organizations; .biz for businesses involved in ecommerce; and .coop for cooperatives.
 
Even these specialized TLDs that are aimed at specific sites are still open to anyone who wants a website under this domain extension.  For that reason it’s wise to do your homework before going off the beaten path with your TLD.  Check with business peers to see if it’s a common practice to use an alternative domain extension.  It’s one of those instances in business where it’s better sense to follow the crowd.  Also make sure it’s a legitimate TLD or that if you’re thinking of going over seas rather than just out of state with your website that the domain extension is readily available to those potential customers.

How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Trucking Company

So you’re ready to stake your claim in cyberspace.  Hopefully this post will give you some ideas on how to come up with some cheap domain names. One of the first and most important decisions you need to make is determining how you want to be identified.  Your domain name is basically your calling card as an Internet site; it’s what someone types in to find your site or what a search will pull up when someone is looking for your trucking business.

There are a couple rules of thumb to be aware of as you register a domain name.  They are basically the same common sense rules of advertising or marketing which still apply as you decide what to name your website.  Keep it memorable, simple, and identify it with your business.  If you can use your company name, that is your best bet.  Just remember you may need to drop “little words” from the title.  For example, instead of using the full company name, The Best of the West Trucking, Inc., you could use bestwesttrucking.com.
 
You also have to work with the tools you’re given.  There are certain parameters to selecting a domain name and your name can include letters a through z, numbers 0 through 9, and the hyphen or dash. Words in your domain name are separated by periods or dots, not spaces, and heaven forbid you go with anything this long, but the entire address is limited to 255 characters.

One thing to keep in mind is that you might need a back up plan if your first address choice is taken during the domain name registration process.  Domain names are first come, first serve, and if your first pick is already in use, you’ll have to go another route.   Ask a few reliable sources what they think of your ideas before you buy your domain name.  Make sure they understand the wording, immediately relate it back to your company, and could remember it.

Trucking Companies and Websites: Why Every Trucking Company Should Be Online

Are you still wondering if this Internet trend has about run its course?  It’s sort of like those people who thought TVs were just a fad.  Truly, if you don’t have a web presence by now, you’re making yourself obsolete in the business world.  If you’re one of the Internet holdouts, often the problem is not understanding that a business web site is must, but overcoming the intimidation factor of where and how to begin can be difficult.

The first step is deciding how you want your website to function.  Do you want to go with the basic business website that is geared toward informing the customer (i.e. company background, rates, routes, employment)? This quite frankly should be a must for any company, and as basic a building block for your business as the open and closed sign on the front door. 

The other option is jumping with both feet into the online game, with a full blown e-commerce site where customers can actually contract your services or buy your products online.  Of course this extension of your company could be as simple or extensive as you want depending on your ambition to get into the online world.  Either choice is going to be a huge benefit to the longevity of your business, and your decision depends on the type of commitment you want to make to your online presence.

A couple things to be aware of as you get into the online game.  It’s more than just simply putting up a website.  Just like a physical setting for a store, it’s all about location, location, location to drive in traffic – so too on the Internet.  Online marketing strategies like getting your name in search engines, email promotions, advertising banners, will position you in prime territory on the Internet and drive hits on your website.

There are also web hosting companies who specialize in businesses web sites, and for a monthly fee provide helps with setting up e-commerce, payment options for customers, and marketing. These hosts are a great resource to online first timers and offer easy to use software and ideas to get you started.

The Benefits of Being An Owner Operator in Trucking

In recent years, there has been much consolidati8on and migration toward the large fleet operators in gaining market share in the trucking industry. We have seen the growth of trucking firms such as Con-way, Inc. (CNW: NYSE), Old Dominion Freight Lines, Inc. (ODFL: NASDAQ), and Estes Express Lines. Additionally, large brokerages such as C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW: NASDAQ) capitalized on the opportunities in the industry before the economic slowdown began. However, in light of the successes of the publicly traded transportation companies, there are still many benefits to being an owner operator in the trucking industry.

First, small owner operator truckers enjoy the obvious benefit of low overhead. The administration overhead is practically nonexistent for a single truck operator as compared to a fleet operator. A small operator can outsource professional services as needed for services such as accounting and invoice factoring rather than employing in-house staff.

Small trucking owners also enjoy greater flexibility in determining routes and schedules. In short, a small trucking company controls their own destiny and doesn’t feel the pressure to hit a certain earnings per share number for shareholders. A small trucking operator can determine how successful he or she wants to be and are only accountable to themselves.