How do you come up with a decent .com domain name?

How I choose a domain name:

• Pick some words I like (Books + forum = bookforum, bookergy, bookable, bookspeak etc)
• Jot them all down in a Google Spreadsheet and check domain availability
• Move my favorites that are available to the top

Types of Domains

• Use words that describe your product (ZenDesk, GetSatisfaction, DropBox)

In my opinion - You're better off with picking a made up word/phrase instead of a real word. The reason is because when you're starting a new service, chances are it's going to change, so you don't want to be locked by your name.

For example - If you named your company "Olib's Pizzas", but quickly realized there's no money in pizzas and more money in milkshakes and you want to switch, you're going to have more work to do and money to spend than if you just named your company name "Olib's"

• Make up a word or phrase (e.g. HubSpot, Microsoft)

• Choose a mascot or pick a theme (e.g. HipMunk, BreadPig)

I've also read a great blog post by Noah Kagan about why "Mint" was a great name for a financial services company, because short domains are trusted more, and therefore Mint was more trusted than Wesabe.

Test the domain name

Remember Test: The best way to test your domain/company name is to tell someone it at the beginning of a conversation, then ask them 20 minutes later what your company name was. If they remember, you probably have a good one.

Grandma Test: Tell someone old your company name, and see if they can actually remember it. If it passes the Grandma test, your have a really good name.

Spelling Test: The last test is to call someone on the phone and ask them to spell out your domain name. If they spell it wrong (Twittr -> Twitter) then you probably need to pick an easier one.

I believe there are very few single syllable domain names left unless you want to use some outrageous spelling.

You may have decided to pursue the branding option from the start, but it worth reminding others that there are still many opportunities for SEO domain names for your product/service. A tool such as Market-Samurai can help you identify keywords/phrases with relatively high traffic and low competition.

As for the branded domain options, it is far too easy to get lost in the crowd. Consider using other countries' top level domains to get something sexy like Google (goo.gl) and others (about.me) have done.

I personally think that you should commit to a few ideas, buy the domains, and then create an online survey to ask people (preferably your target market) which one they like the most.

Your approach otherwise is good. I believe, for example, Google is a misspelling - another alternative to the foreign would approach.

My personal opinion is that "VALO" is GOOD, "BOX"...not so much. There are several strong "box" brands out there like Box.net and DropBox so using that would be the equivalent of starting a social network or similar site call HandBook or FacePad.

I hope these ideas give you some inspiration.

Try using the tools at DomainHole (use beta code DOMAINS).

If you have a keyword in mind, you can easily find english 2 word domains using the expired search tool or the name spinner.