Should you register yourname.com?

Lots of people purchase their own names as a domain name - I have waynedmoore.au.com for example, where I host this blog. There are lots of good reasons for doing this, some of which were discussed on lifehacker.com recently.

A couple of reasons I believe it is a good idea (as well as those in the article) are:

1. You get to control your name. As we move deeper and deeper into a fully digital world, it becomes more and more important to claim your own real estate. If you don't do it, somebody else will. What if somebody else registers your name and posts some unsavoury content on there? People may well think that came from you. Imagine turning up for a job interview and being faced with a potential employer who thinks you are some low-life because of what she found on a web site when researching your background. Not good.

2. Project your own message. Maybe you are a thought-leader in your field - an expert that other people pay attention to. In that case, why not create a web site or blog in your name to get your message out there to as many people who are prepared to listen? Maybe you are important in your community - a leader or an organiser - again, get your message out there where people can find it.

3. Your name reflects your business. Well this one really is a no-brainer. If you have a business in your own name, then you absolutely must have that name registered. Even if your business has it's own domain name, you will probably want to register your own name for the reasons already mentioned and, and / or to use as a personal blog that will direct traffic to your business site.

So there are lots of reasons to register your own domain name. I can't really think of any good reasons not to. Can you?