SpiderSavvyBuilding The Web

16th January 2009
Posted in Best Practices

Let’s switch to regular Webmaster Speak and use Domain Names and File Names, those are the two common distinctions I see when discussing Pascal Casing. Domain Names are NOT Case Sensitive. File Names ARE Case Sensitive. Be very careful in how you interpret the information available on this page. If you don’t have the expertise to work with PascalCasing in File Names, don’t do it!

Again, since Domain Names are Case Insensitive, you can do with them as you wish. You could literally have any combination of case in your Domain Name, the part after the www. and before the .com (.edu, .net, .org, etc.).

1. www.spidersavvy.com (Old School Media)
2. www.SpiderSavvy.com (New School Media)
3. www.SpIdeRsAvVy.com (Grunge example only)

As you can see, The first two examples would be the accepted methods with number one being the most widely used. Unless you have a Grunge Brand or have a requirement for Studley Caps, the last example (#3) may not apply.

Of the two accepted methods, which of these two are your eyes drawn to?

1. www.SpiderSavvy.com
2. www.spidersavvy.com

I’m going to take it one step further and strip the www. (Another topic in itself and one that I’ll be covering in greater depth.)

1. SpiderSavvy.com
2. spidersavvy.com

With the last two examples above, which do you find more visually appealing from both a brand and usability perspective?

Remember, domain names are case insensitive which means you can use whatever case you wish. Use that knowledge with prudence and best branding practices.