I'm just starting to market this with people in the pregnancy/baby space, and so far they seem to think this is a totally original idea made just for them.
Sounds like there's an angle there for promotion - printable invitations, email invite list that tracks responses, free printed snail mail invites (team up with a print house that would take that opportunity) ...?
Unfortunately for you, babylist.com is taken -- but babylist.net is available. I know it can be hard to find an available domain in the .com realm that closely matches what you want, but I still think it is important. I think those business domains which have succeeded despite having a .(something-other-than-com) domain name have done so despite that disadvantage.
Also, natgordon - great site. If it was useful outside of the US I'd point several friends to it immediately.
I disagree about .net domains, especially for a market of mothers; traditionally, they aren't hackers like the creator here :)
It's not even the domain name quality that I'm questioning-it's the convenience of stopping by a brick & mortar store with an exact item to pick up. I know you're thinking "the internet much more convenient, but not if its a process you're not used to.
It's the same root cause as to why people send files back and forth via email - it's so engrained in people, that its the status quo.
So the real challenge here I think is breaking that social norm that retail giants have cemented in us.
So there are 2 groups of people.
1. registrants (people having babies) - branding here is important and the name could bite me. Let me know if you have any suggestions for other names.
2. people buying the registrant gifts - BabyList doesn't even have search which is a default wishlist/registry feature. I think giving someone a pretty url slug and letting them email it/share it/link to it, is not going to be a problem.
If it were a wedding registry, I would suggest maybe HitchedList? It would be better than WeddingList since it's less general. Obviously this doesn't help directly, but maybe will inspire some ideas!
I think the best startup names are those that relate to a market's pathos.
My advice would be to use the proper spelling ('Babylist') in general - especially in your html titles - and in no time you'll be #1 for the term, regardless of spelling:
People will go to babylist.com. They will probably copy the concept if it takes off.
Bad idea.
It seems silly to try and compete with established players.
2. the owner of the domain is a single-location brick and mortar retailer, with no e-commerce. that would inform my thought process, were in in the OP's shoes