Inspired by Chris Lake’s excellent article, Stupid URLs and how to avoid them, I’ve been digging around the internet to find some truly terrible domain name fails.
Some of ones I’ve listed are totally beyond belief. I’m frankly astounded that their owners didn’t notice the double entendres happening - and there’s loads of others floating around the web too.
As it also happens, there’s a semi-official name for instances like these: SLURLS, coined by a computer programmer called Andy Geldman who’s actually produced a book specifically around this subject.
The list I’ve put together is definitely not for the faint-hearted. With winter gloomily kicking in, this list is intended only as a bit of fun, and nothing too serious. But take this as a warning: if you’re easily offended, don’t read any further...
1. Scrap, fresh from America...
2. Cccan you spot it?
3. Mr Dover appears to have opted for a childish classic.
4. Blinds, shutters and more...
5. Man and machine love.
6. Who knew a country could hurt you so much?
7. It seems Dicksons wised up to their mistake. The URL now redirects.
8. Don’t make me swear at you!
9. Looking for a change?
10.Google. In the Cook Islands.
11. Mixing art and surgery.
12. Never heard of a toilet?
13. Say it as it is.
14. The best tunes around.
15. An island of pens!
16. More childish humor.
17. When school just isn’t enough.
18. A site of therapy.
19. Web One appear to have now changed their name to iiNet...
20. Who’s managing who?
[Image credit to: chrisdlugosz]
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1:24PM on 12th November 2010
I assure you this is work-safe http://www.gasheating.co.uk
My favourite was molestationnursery.com but they changed it Mole River Nursery :(
1:38PM on 12th November 2010
This is awesome!
We want more.. :-)
SEO Director at Guava UK
1:42PM on 12th November 2010
A ligit IT manufacturing business: http://swissbit.ch/
Head of Digital & Vice-President of Communications at ICMIF
2:01PM on 12th November 2010
Spotted this the other day, how are you supposed to trust their advice?
http://www.welie.com/
3:38PM on 12th November 2010
I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world's first "analrapist".
Membership Services Manager at Econsultancy
4:32PM on 12th November 2010
Great post Jake, I would also like to add a few that I have remembered....
The First Cumming Methodist Church.
www.cummingfirst.com
Art designers, and their website:
www.speedofart.com
A holiday in Lake Tahoe
www.gotahoe.com
Looking for a Lawyer?
www.mofo.com
I am sure that there are many more out there...
4:56PM on 12th November 2010
friday treats....!
Internet Marketing Consultant at Receptional Ltd.
5:26PM on 12th November 2010
Comedy Gold!
Thanks for putting these together and for the others in the comments.
The best one I've come across myself (by trying out URLs along this line a few months back):
www.stpaultherapist.com/
Internet Marketing Consultant at Receptional Ltd.
5:31PM on 12th November 2010
Oops, www.stpaultherapist.com has a domain for sale page now - they must have realised their mistake!
11:49PM on 12th November 2010
effoff.com made me laugh ! some good arguments for the use of hyphens in this bunch
8:43AM on 15th November 2010
You've just got to laugh! Sometimes they just need pointing out to you though! Last night for the first time I think I saw the name Flo Rida written down. I've heard it said many times but never gave it a thought until it clicked what word it is... Florida...
3:06PM on 16th November 2010
Ha! Excellent examples! It's a reminder of how words have different meanings depending on their context, components, and of course whether thay are heard or read...Flo Rida a good case in point, rather like that fantastic 80's popster Ada Mant, or was it Ad Amant, or...? Check out the life of words at www.contentetc.wordpress.com
lecturer / researcher at University of Sunderland
3:17PM on 16th November 2010
Aaron Goldman is now more famous for his book everything I know about marketing I learned from Google - but he's been a long-time observer of domain names, see good URL, bad URL.
Managing Director at Auros
3:40PM on 16th November 2010
Great 1 min breather for a Tuesday afternoon =)
Director at Bold Internet Ltd
5:13PM on 16th November 2010
Excellent. Some childish humour to lighten the mood! Thanks for sharing. :-)