Trying to find just the right name for your new site? We know that can be difficult. We have come up with a guide that we feel allows for individuality, while retaining the necessary consistency. Please consult with the Communications technology section of CNS on this.

Question 1: Is the site about a department/agency or a component of what they do, or an official government initiative?

IF YES: We encourage the form http://gov.ns.ca/something/. e.g. http://gov.ns.ca/cns/. These sites are to maintain the consistent visual identity you see across the site.

IF NO: Go to Question 2.

Question 2: Is the site tied to official government activities, but not necessarily under a government umbrella? (arm's length organizations, semi-independent organizations, etc.).

IF YES: We endorse going with a subdomain of the form http://something.gov.ns.ca. For examples, http://women.gov.ns.ca and http://museum.gov.ns.ca. These sites often do, or must look different from government sites.

IF NO: Go to Question 3.

Question 3: Is the site a single-purpose, short-term site related to a marketing or promotional, or informational campaign? Is there some other very compelling reason to have a non-gov.ns.ca domain besides the desire to be different?

IF YES: Then a custom domain might be acceptable.

IF NO: Then the use of a custom domain name should be reconsidered.