new business venture(s) and website(s)
Discussion
I'm about to launch a new business. For various reasons, I would prefer (for the time being) not to divulge exactly what it is, but I would be interested in some basic guidance relating to trading names, websites and associated matter.
I currently own two dotcom domains and i have website hosting and email client hosting available for both. I haven't yet started to build the websites, but have logos, branding and content readily to roll, whichever direction i choose to take.
Option 1.
One trading name with the second service listed within the main website. This means just one dotcom domain website and one email domain.
Option 2.
Two trading names with two dotcom domain websites and two email domains. Both link back to each other where appropriate, but outwardly, it is two distinct 'operations', both of which can operate independently of each other (allowing me to grow or shrink either as needs be).
Option 3.a
Two trading names with two dotcom domains, but with the second domain redirecting automatically to a section within the main website. Email would then be through the first email domain.
Option 3.b
As above, but with the email for each trading name going to a different email domain name associated with the original web-address which redirects back to the main site.
Obviously, Option 1 is the simplest as it ultimately only involves creating one set of logos and branding, one website and having half the number of email addresses to maintain and monitor, but I quite like the idea of having two products, which I can grow organically (or simply drop one), especially as I own the domain names already.
In terms of cost, on the basis that the second website is far more simple than the main (and contains a lot of duplicated information which should speed up website development) and the hosting (of both website and emails) shouldn't really be much more, it seems like option 2 would effectively give me two businesses for the price of one.
thoughts?
I currently own two dotcom domains and i have website hosting and email client hosting available for both. I haven't yet started to build the websites, but have logos, branding and content readily to roll, whichever direction i choose to take.
Option 1.
One trading name with the second service listed within the main website. This means just one dotcom domain website and one email domain.
Option 2.
Two trading names with two dotcom domain websites and two email domains. Both link back to each other where appropriate, but outwardly, it is two distinct 'operations', both of which can operate independently of each other (allowing me to grow or shrink either as needs be).
Option 3.a
Two trading names with two dotcom domains, but with the second domain redirecting automatically to a section within the main website. Email would then be through the first email domain.
Option 3.b
As above, but with the email for each trading name going to a different email domain name associated with the original web-address which redirects back to the main site.
Obviously, Option 1 is the simplest as it ultimately only involves creating one set of logos and branding, one website and having half the number of email addresses to maintain and monitor, but I quite like the idea of having two products, which I can grow organically (or simply drop one), especially as I own the domain names already.
In terms of cost, on the basis that the second website is far more simple than the main (and contains a lot of duplicated information which should speed up website development) and the hosting (of both website and emails) shouldn't really be much more, it seems like option 2 would effectively give me two businesses for the price of one.
thoughts?
To me, whether you use one trading name or two doesn't really seem to make much difference. From a customer perspective, in a world of online-only companies, dropshippers, etc most seem to be used to dealing with "Trading As" companies. From your perspective I can't see there being much more of an overhead of two trading names other than having two invoice or PO templates, etc.
So for me it is a decision of running two domains or not (if you're going to run separate domains then running separate email accounts is a given for me). There is SEO as a consideration - how are you marketing these products? If you're relying on organic SEO/search results in any way then can you achieve what you require from SEO using just one domain? Can you see both domains/sites growing to a point where they could be span off into completely separate businesses?
For me, I'd always err on the side of simple. Do whatever is quickest/easiest to get something set up so you can start getting feedback from customers as early as possible - only then will you know just how successful each site could be and how much effort should be put into either.
So for me it is a decision of running two domains or not (if you're going to run separate domains then running separate email accounts is a given for me). There is SEO as a consideration - how are you marketing these products? If you're relying on organic SEO/search results in any way then can you achieve what you require from SEO using just one domain? Can you see both domains/sites growing to a point where they could be span off into completely separate businesses?
For me, I'd always err on the side of simple. Do whatever is quickest/easiest to get something set up so you can start getting feedback from customers as early as possible - only then will you know just how successful each site could be and how much effort should be put into either.
I don't think there's a right or wrong on this really.
I have two websites as part of one multi store. They are both branded with the same logo but one of the sites specializes in a particular product with a different URL. The logo is the same and the products are the same but the URL is different, and it contains different content etc. All emails come to the same place.
Then I have another completely separate site that is branded completely differently with separate email etc. Invoices are still sent with my main company logo on, doesn't seem to bother anyone really as long as they get their stuff/service. It states on the website "blah blah trading as blah blah". Don't try and hide anything and you'll be fine.
There's a lot of talk over SEO etc one big site is better, keyword rich domains don't work etc, but I've had far more luck with smaller niche stores on keyword rich domains than a big generic web site.
I have two websites as part of one multi store. They are both branded with the same logo but one of the sites specializes in a particular product with a different URL. The logo is the same and the products are the same but the URL is different, and it contains different content etc. All emails come to the same place.
Then I have another completely separate site that is branded completely differently with separate email etc. Invoices are still sent with my main company logo on, doesn't seem to bother anyone really as long as they get their stuff/service. It states on the website "blah blah trading as blah blah". Don't try and hide anything and you'll be fine.
There's a lot of talk over SEO etc one big site is better, keyword rich domains don't work etc, but I've had far more luck with smaller niche stores on keyword rich domains than a big generic web site.
thank you for the replies.
as i am starting up both parts of the business from scratch, i am mindful of doing so in a manner which allows growth beyond what i can personally manage. a business mentor i have spoken to suggested that i should seek to plan my business to accommodate it being very large and successful (in terms of structure etc) so i wouldn't need to carry out restructuring at a time when i can ill-afford to do so.
using this logic, i am thinking that it is better to construct both parts as individual entities (but create a clear link between them). further down the line, i can't help but feel it would be easier to 'join' them than 'split' them.
as i am starting up both parts of the business from scratch, i am mindful of doing so in a manner which allows growth beyond what i can personally manage. a business mentor i have spoken to suggested that i should seek to plan my business to accommodate it being very large and successful (in terms of structure etc) so i wouldn't need to carry out restructuring at a time when i can ill-afford to do so.
using this logic, i am thinking that it is better to construct both parts as individual entities (but create a clear link between them). further down the line, i can't help but feel it would be easier to 'join' them than 'split' them.
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