Choosing A Domain Name
Choosing the right domain name for your website is critical to your success. If you choose the wrong domain name, it can be a hassle to switch later without damaging your brand and search ranking. This is why it is important to choose the best domain name from the start. Your domain name is the first thing potential customers look for when they look for you online. If you have a confusing name or a name that is full of hyphens and is difficult to type, you will lose them. When starting out, it can be difficult to come up with attractive business name ideas with perfect domain names.
How to Choose the Best Domain Name
Things to put into consideration when choosing your domain name:
Avoid Uncommon Top-Level Domain Names
The TLD (top-level domain) is the part of the website name that comes after the period. For example, .com is the one you see the most. Stick with this go-to option unless you’re a non-profit. A .org domain works better for that type of business. The others like “.tv” and more are simply not as mainstream.
Dot-com domains are the most memorable. Many users, especially those who aren’t as tech-savvy, will automatically type “.com” at the end of every domain without thinking about it. Not to mention, most smartphone keyboards automatically have a .com button.
Use Keywords in Your Domain Name Search
Keywords play an important role in a domain. By using keywords in your domain name, you tell the search engines what your website is about. Together with quality content and good user experience, keywords in your domain can help you rank higher in Google. It is very hard to find a good domain with your target keywords, that’s not already taken. You will need to be creative and combine your keywords with other words to make your domain stand out.
Keep Your Domain Name Short And Simple.
Longer domains are harder for your users to remember. Not to mention, users will also be more prone to entering typos with longer domain names which can lead to loss of traffic. Aim for as few words and syllables as possible. Imagine the name on a business card or piece of marketing collateral to determine what could work well in reality. While keywords are important, don’t go overboard with domain length. It’s better to have a domain name that’s short and memorable.
Make Your Domain Name Easy To Pronounce And Spell
You should be able to easily share your domain name when speaking as well as writing. You never know when you’ll be asked to share your domain name in person. If you’re planning to use your domain name to create a professional business email address, then it definitely should be easy to understand and spell for any listener.
Keep It Unique And Brandable
Your domain name must be unique, so you can stand out to your users. Choose a domain name that’s more brandable. Your domain name is part of your brand.
Avoid Non-Characters in Domain Name
A domain name full of hyphens, numbers, and other strange configurations may be a sign of a spam domain that you don’t want to associate with. They can also confuse consumers and reduce their trust in your business, so stick to letters whenever possible.
Hyphenated fields are also prone to spelling errors. If you choose a hyphenated domain name because the domain you want is already occupied, then if your users forget to enter the hyphen, they will most likely end up visiting your competitor’s site.
Avoid Double Letters
It’s a good idea to avoid domains with doubled letters because it increases your chances of losing traffic to typos. Avoiding doubled letters will also make your domain easy to type and more brandable.
Leave Room For Expansion
It’s smart to choose a domain name that’s related to your industry/niche because it gives users some idea of what your website is about. But you also don’t want to limit your long-term options too much. It is important to pick a flexible domain name from the start. Properly moving your site to a new domain can be a frustrating process, and it can cause you to lose search rankings if you don’t do it right.
Research Your Domain Name And Trademarks
Before you register a domain name, try to find out if there is already a registered company with the same name. You can perform a trademark search to see if there are already registered trademarks with similar or identical names. You can also perform a Google search on top social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and check the availability of the name. Similar or matching names not only cause confusion but can also have serious legal implications, which may cost you a lot of money. Once you have your own website and it's up and running, you can learn more about how to trademark and copyright your website name and logo.
Act Quickly Before Someone Else Takes It
Thousands of new domain names from all over the world are registered every day. If you find a domain name you like, please don't wait too long. Thousands of people are actively looking for high-quality brand domain names to register in the future for better prices. If you do not act quickly, then someone may register your domain name idea. If you change your mind about the domain name later, you can simply let it expire.
Resist impulse purchases
Even if your first-choice domain name ends up getting registered quickly, you have millions of other choices. Take a deep breath and consider the long-term needs of your business. The last thing you want to do is go through a rebranding a few years down the road. Pick something with staying power. However, once you make your final selection, register it as soon as possible. You don’t want to waste all that research time on something that gets swiped out from under your nose.
Choosing your domain name should not be a last-minute decision. Take time and think about what you what your domain name to portray. It is important to factor in what you want your brand to portray in a few years or more when picking a domain name. Remember, your domain name is your brand.