NameStation Blog

User Guide

How to use NameStation most efficiently?  Following this guide will instantly increase your domain search expertise. 

NameStation’s domain search tools are grouped into 3 categories:

  • Random Names – no keyword is required
  • Keyword Domains – search with a single word
  • List Searches – searches based on lists of words

Random Names

Feeling lucky? The simplest way to create made up names with no meaning is by spinning the Random Name Generator. Such names may have no meaning at all, therefore they won’t invoke any associations with your area of business or niche. However, names like these can be very distinctive and may become great brands – e.g. Plaxo, Meebo, Zynga. 

To get more variations, experiment with other languages like Latin or Italian. If you don’t care about pronunciation, select Random Letters from the Language list.

The Prefix and Suffix are optional. This can be a single character or a short word, e.g. a, go, dev. Try clicking Select underneath the text boxes. This brings up a list of short affixes, if the box is empty. If there is a keyword in the box, it brings up a list of alternative keywords and the word definition. Simply click on any of those words to run a search.

Keyword Domains

Naturally, the basis for any meaningful name is a real word. There are limitless ways words can be combined, twisted, affixed, blended, shortened and so on. Even before you start the search, it helps tremendously if you have a list of suitable words that are somehow relevant to what you’re naming. If you have no time for this, don’t worry, we have over 150 preset lists with about 20000 selected words that you can begin with.

Consider starting your quest with creating a Name Contest (even if you’re the only one working on it). Think of it as a private naming project. It helps you organize name ideas and keywords. Perhaps you’ll want to share the contest later on to get feedback.

To every Contest you can add any number of keywords, which are then used in Domain Search forms. About 20-30 keywords should get you started.

Here’s a technique that helps you find 30 keywords in less than 5 minutes. Let’s say you need a name for a reviews website. The first words that come to mind are review, rate, compare, feedback, score. Add them to your Contest. Then, open up Onelook Reverse Dictionary and look for alternative words.  Searching for score brings up hundreds of words, e.g. rank, merit, assess, value, judge, critic, evaluate etc. Even if some of these are only remotely relevant, you have nothing to lose if you add them to your Contest. You’ll be surprised how well blending or combining them will work. Go on and search also with the newly added words. Evaluate brings up grade, mark, appraise, gauge, praise. All these are a great for a reviews-related website.

An alternative to adding words to a Contest is starting your own Wordlists, which can be used in Domain Searches the same way as Contest Keywords.

For names with a clearer meaning, let’s take a closer look at some of the more advanced features we are offering.

Compound names

Putting two words together offers a limitless number of combinations for unique meaningful names. They may be a bit longer than other kinds of names, but they’re relatively easy to find and good for SEO. WordPress, Netvibes, Firefox, Facebook, Bloglines are all examples of great compound names.

Add Lists

A good place to start is Adding Lists to a keyword.  Choose from over 150 collections of words to create combined names. You can also select your Custom Wordlists or Contest Keywords. Simply click on Browse underneath the dropdown box to see all available Lists.

Most people find Conceptual Lists especially helpful. E.g. the Fast list has words that relate to speed (lightningcheetahexpress). If you need a name for a banking product, try lists like Secure, Strong, Unique.

For an automotive blog, try Vehicles and Driving. For a healthy recipes site, try Vegetables, Fruits – you get the idea.

Which primary keyword to use? Some of the most popular keywords being used are tech, web, cloud, pro which rarely bring up good available combinations. Instead, try to widen your search as much as possible. So in addition to pro, you can try smart, think, focus, expert, talent – such alternatives can be easily found with Onelook.

If you created a collection of words earlier, you can combine the entire list with other lists as described in the following passage.

Combine Lists

In addition to appending a list to a single keyword, you can Combine two lists, e.g. Travel+Comparison. Or Your Contest Keywords+Unique etc.

This is where the list of words you saved earlier becomes most useful. Given that you have assembled a long enough list of base words, finding suitable names should be a breeze.

Some of the unconventional list combinations may produce unique gems of names. Think out of the box, try unconventional lists – e.g.  Containers, Shapes, Sounds. Take a moment and explore all available lists. Some of them apply for almost any occasion, e.g. Prefixes, Suffixes, Top Keywords, English Prefixes, Search, Dynamic.

Alliterations

The Alliterations search is another way of creating Compounds by appending words that have the same sound with the word you entered.  Examples of such names would be Coca-Cola, PayPalBorders Books, Donald Duck.

Entering Apple will produce AppleAppletAppleAppeal etc. Best matches are listed first. With the search options you can choose, whether to prepend or append the alliterative words. You can also choose to match the endings of the words to produce ApplePeopleAppleRipple etc..

Blends

Blends consist of two parts, at least one of which is a portion of a word rather than a whole word  – e.g. TechnoratiWikipediaNetscape. Blends can be short, elegant and memorable and have all the advantages of compound words.

Variations

The Variations Search creates Blends by finding dictionary words that partially overlap with your keyword. Entering Domain will produce DomaindexDomainspire etc. Best matches are listed first.

In addition to complete keywords, try partial words to find overlaps. Start with Innovate, then try innov, inno, innove etc.

Blend Lists

Blending Lists is one of the most popular ways to search at NameStation and for a reason. This is again one of those searches where Contest Keywords or a niche wordlist becomes handy. Simply select 2 lists of words, choose the desired length and run the search to create randomly blended words.

Short names have 5-6 characters but are mostly taken. Your best bet would be Medium length, which have about 6-8 characters.

Part 2 coming soon …

 

About Tauno

CEO of NameStation
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