Mountain Project Logo

need help deciding on a URL on cooking for climbers

Original Post
Don McGrath · · fort collins, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 40

I need help deciding on a URL for my wife Sylvia's website about cooking for rock climbers. First project is a book.
Help me choose or offer something better.
a) verticalkitchenbook.com
b) verticalkitchenguide.com
c) verticallifefood.com

Thanks,
Don

Rob Gordon · · Hollywood, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 115

Not really struck by any of those. Have you thought about just... cookingforclimbers.com

I'm mean...

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

"Eat better/climb better"

Not the most interesting title. All I had at the moment. LOL!

Eric Mountford · · Lakewood, CO · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 0

My vote is for Verticalkitchenguide.com.

But I like cookingforclimbers.com better because I think it will come up on more searches. It seems more intuitive to search under. But I don't know how search engine filters work so maybe verticlekitchenguide.com would come up anyhow.

Carey S · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 80

Www.Verticalnutrition.com

Www.verticalvitals.com

Www.dine2climb.com

Www.realrockmeals.com

Carey S · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 80

Www.Verticalnutrition.com

Www.verticalvitals.com

Www.dine2climb.com

Www.realrockmeals.com

Don McGrath · · fort collins, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 40

Thanks for the ideas guys. I like the cookingforclimbers.com! Don't know why I didn't think of it.

Also straightupcooking.com was offered on facebook.

Google search interestingly enough shows that nobody searches for "cooking for climbers".

Despite this, we've seen interest for such a site/guide. What do you think?

Rob Gordon · · Hollywood, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 115

It seems like a pretty niche market, but if it's something you are interested in doing, I don't see why not give it a shot.

The good thing about doing something more generic like cookingforclimbers.com is if there is some interest in the site or if you feel you need to branch out more you could by doing say: cooking for backpackers or cooking for crossfitters or cookingforclimbers/vegan or cookingforclimbers/glutenfree.

The problem with generic is you'll want to make sure there are no trademark impingements.

I think you should also decide what you want your branding to be. Are you going for something that sounds badass with edgy design or something more fun and accessible.

Whatever you do, I recommend using Twitter and Youtube as well as Facebook to gain a presence. Maybe even pay advertise on something like google ads if you're serious about it. There's so much crap online, it doesn't matter if your site is good unless you market.

Sunny-D · · SLC, Utah · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 700

I was the project manager for a new outdoor food company "food for camping" This is what I found in my research- By keeping it simple and fun you will have much more organic traffic them if you make someone think to get to your website. The idea "cooking for climbers" seems to be the most organic of your choices so far.
Dallen

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

Honestly - since the information is not REALLY climbing specific, I don't know why you would want to limit yourself to a niche which in general seems to get a perverse pleasure off of balking at paying for anything they can beg, borrow, or fifth generation pro-deal...

It seems to me the broader market is for outdoors adventure enthusiasts - hikers, touring cyclists, low impact campers., etc. If it is a money-making adventure...definitely go broad. You can cater to the demographics as subsets. Cyclists aren't going to want a "climbers cookbook," (in general,as an example).

You want a URL that is snappy and easy to remember - I don't think the OP suggestions really do that.

Personally, I'd go with an angle on "adventure," or "explorer," or build off words in that genre.

I might incorporate the owners name into the URL... (don't know your name but....KatsAdventureCooking, as example.

Just brainstorming....and checking availability but leaving brainstorm ideas , maybe will inspire something else.

- KitchenExpedition (not available in .com or .net)
- AdventureCooking -(not available in .com or .net)
- AdventureChef(.com is not available, .net is)
- BackcountryChef(.com is not available, .net is)
- OutThereCooking(.com is available, .net is not)
- OutThereChef (both .com and.net are available)
- WildernessChef(.com is not available, .net is)
- WilderChef (.com is not available, .net is)
- AdventurersCookbook
- WilderCooking (.com is available, as is .net)

Or...you can come up with a long name and use the acronym -so long as it isn't something that will be...unfortunate...like S%1T.com)

Really - get together with your partner and maybe some fun friends, have a few beers and brainstorm: words which relate to the project, potential URLs - jot it all down, and check the availability later(but of course very soon, before you take any steps in artwork or business registration.

Don't disregard anything in the brainstorm session. Don't comment "That's Dumb" or such. Doing so closes down creativity.

Then, go through and pick potentials.... Make a List of top picks and see if they are available. Search the web withOUT the dot whatever, and see what come up. You don't want your top pick to be getting results to Coke, Disney, or other corps with lawyers who will shut you down because you sneezed and it sounded like their name. You cannot afford to fight even the most simplest case.

Then...sit on it. Ask some people who you trust what they think(and remind them to not disclose the discussion to others). Do NOT post it on the web and ask everyone and their mother. Do not post it here.

Try it on and see how it feels...Don't pull the trigger immediately(although a URL IS only about $10/year to register, so not a huge deal if you drop it...before you invest in anything besides the URL)

Once you decide on the URL, register it with a competent registrant(
Link to List of Top Ten Registrants - I use 1&1 If you are ready to purchase hosting, BlueHost includes your domain free

Then, sign up ALL profiles on social. You don't need to use them, but you don't want to find out later that someone else is doing a similar thing and has "your" social profile on Twitter.

Next step in the hosting service - which is another subject, but....Use a reliable one - not your cousin who will let you have space on his server for free(unless he is willing to be on call 24/365 and willing to spend hours cleaning up after some hackers kidnaps your site, immediately upon request) I use BlueHost who is one of the best. US-based Customer Service reps who will walk you through any problems you have in setting up your site, reasonable rates, and though they did suffer an outage last year, it was big news as they are probably the most well-protected hosting sites available. And, they don't lambast you with special offers, nor hide fees. You can also host an unlimited number of domains on you account, for free(you do, of course need to pay the domain registration fee).

Anyway...good luck! I also do some consulting for small business; if you would like some help - feel free to message me.

david doucette · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 25
Rob Gordon wrote:Not really struck by any of those. Have you thought about just... cookingforclimbers.com I'm mean...
yeah definitely do cookingforclimbers.com. that's a nobrainer in my book. good ol KISS principle.

better get it now as i searched godaddy and it is available but i'm sure someone reading this will snag it quickly just because it's a great domain name. in fact i don't think there is a better name out there for what you want to do. nicely done rob gordon ;)
Don McGrath · · fort collins, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 40

Just bought it. Not sure I'll use it, but I agree it's a great domain name.

Jason Halladay · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 15,153

sendingfood.com

Mac Lupton · · Salt Lake City · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 20
Happiegrrrl wrote:Honestly - since the information is not REALLY climbing specific, I don't know why you would want to limit yourself to a niche which in general seems to get a perverse pleasure off of balking at paying for anything they can beg, borrow, or fifth generation pro-deal... It seems to me the broader market is for outdoors adventure enthusiasts - hikers, touring cyclists, low impact campers., etc. If it is a money-making adventure...definitely go broad. You can cater to the demographics as subsets. Cyclists aren't going to want a "climbers cookbook," (in general,as an example).
I would advise against this. As a marketing specialist I can tell you immediately that the edge your business will have will be the fact that it targets climbers. Does it matter that your recipes can be the same as a camping recipe? Absolutely not. Because when a "climber" walks into his local high adventure shop, he's going to see the "climbers cookbook" target at him. Immediately in his mind he knows the book is for him, and will perceive it as different from the stupid backpacking cookbooks. Then, once or if your business becomes reputable and people take notice, you expand into other adventure-based markets. Targeting the CLIMBER is going to give you the market edge that you need, otherwise it would be an extremely hard time to enter a broad adventure-food based market.
Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974

Verticalfeast
Verticalluau
Verticalbbq
Verticalknosh
Verticalnumnums
Verticalpicnic

JJNS · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 531

www.5.14cooking.com

david doucette · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 25
Mac Lupton wrote: I would advise against this. As a marketing specialist I can tell you immediately that the edge your business will have will be the fact that it targets climbers....Targeting the CLIMBER is going to give you the market edge that you need, otherwise it would be an extremely hard time to enter a broad adventure-food based market.
mac is exactly right. niche is better. listen to him.

and Don, go with cookingforclimbers.com. you'd be silly trying to go for something cute or anything else for that matter. i own two online businesses and the names are tied to what they are for.

search on google "california supplemental exam", i'm number 2 behind the california architects board. i'm californiasupplementalexam.com. then go on youtube and search the same term. you'll see i own that page. this is an incredibly niche market, in fact it's so small, i'd call it micro niche, but i've carved a business out of it.

i've also done it with "architect registration exam". we're still building our presence so we don't rank on the first page for google yet but go to youtube and search for "architect registration exam". it's only be a few months but we're starting to own that first page as well. we're architectexamprep.com

picking a smart domain name is one of the most important things you can do and cookingforclimbers.com is the perfect start.
Jack Maberry · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 5

www.climbeatrepeat.com

TREEfool · · Hartford, SD · Joined May 2012 · Points: 35

I really like climbeatrepeat.com

I didnt read all of the posts to see if this was already said but do you realize that there are companies who search forums for people asking opinions on website names? They then buy those names and make you pay premium prices for a $14 url. I would make a descision fast.

don'tchuffonme · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 26

dirtbagturdmaker.com

Don McGrath · · fort collins, CO · Joined May 2008 · Points: 40

Going with cookingforclimbers.com

Thanks all!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "need help deciding on a URL on cooking for clim…"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.