Your domain name represents your website’s name and offers users a quick overview of what your website and business are about, driving your overall branding efforts. Therefore, choosing the right domain name is very important, although it can be a little confusing.
Domain branding is a vital consideration for any successful online business and can help build immediate trust with potential customers. It must be easy to remember, while also including a relevant keyword.
In this article, we will discuss how to create the right domain name for your brand, focusing on 6 factors that you need to consider.
The Importance of The Right Domain Name
The importance of the right domain name cannot be underestimated which is why we have compiled a quick list of the key benefits.
- Gives your website credibility so it can stand out against the competition and any illegitimate websites.
- Boosts brand visibility, helping to attract new visitors and potential customers.
- Establishes your online presence, ensuring customers have an easy option to browse your products and services and find out information about your business.
- Your domain name stays with you for as long as you want it to, regardless of whether you change hosting provider. Thus, protecting your brand for the long term.
- A good domain name creates instant recognition, making your website more searchable which can have a positive impact on search engine rankings.
- Domain names that include a targeted keyword can also make it easier to rank for specific search terms.
- An easy-to-remember brand name makes your business much more marketable.
6 Tips When Creating a Domain Name
As you can see, choosing the right domain name offers several advantages which means the process deserves much consideration. When starting a business, many people do not give enough thought to their domain name which can cause problems further down the line, sometimes being forced to change it which can cause unnecessary upheaval.
Here are six tips when creating a domain name that will hopefully make the process easier.
Choose a .com extension
If you are based in the United States then it is important to choose a .com domain, as opposed to one of the alternative options. A .com extension builds trust and is much easier to remember as it is the most commonly used extension in the world. Of course, this does not apply if you are a charity or fundraising website when a .org extension would be more appropriate.
Choosing an extension such as .xyz or .io domain may seem like a good idea to stand out from the crowd, but it is much less memorable and could make your website very difficult to find.
If you have chosen a domain name that you love but .com is unavailable then a .net or .co extension would be the recommended alternative. Typically, a domain name registration costs around $10 to $15 per year.
Try not to use numbers, hyphens, or back-to-back letters
The aim is to make your domain name as simple and easy to remember as possible. We would strongly advise that you do not include numbers and hyphens which can be easy to forget when typing the URL. They can also result in typos which can frustrate the user.
Also, avoid letters that sit back-to-back (such as domainname) as they can make the URL difficult to read.
When choosing your domain name, consider how it sounds verbally and its potential effectiveness in terms when being recommended via word-of-mouth.
Your Domain Name should be concise
A long and overly complicated domain name is hard to remember so always try to keep your domain name short and punchy. A long domain name can result in less direct and organic traffic to your website. It is generally recommended that a domain name should be between 6-14 characters in length.
As well as the length, also ensure that your domain name includes words that are easy to spell and pronounce.
Be unique without straying away from your Brand
While taking into account all of the above, it makes it somewhat difficult to try and create a unique domain name that also stays loyal to your brand. However, that is not to say it isn’t possible with a lot of thought and a few brainstorming sessions.
You could also use a domain name generator to help get you started with a few ideas which we will discuss in the next section.
Keyword Usage
Including keywords that are related to your industry, niche, or brand is always a good idea but you still need to keep it short. Conducting some keyword research can help to point you in the right direction for a suitable domain name and it will also give you a great platform for the future in terms of SEO.
Do as much research as possible
If you have narrowed down your list of potential domain names to a select few then now is the time to check their viability. This means checking whether these names have already been trademarked, potentially causing significant problems for you and your business in the future.
You should also check whether this name or the keywords within it are being used by your competitors in some capacity. If this is the case, then you will face unwanted competition from the off in terms of your SEO efforts.
What to consider when choosing a Domain Name - A Summary
- Choose a .com extension, if possible
- Avoid using numbers, hyphens, or back-to-back letters
- Ensure your domain name is short and simple
- Make sure your brand name is unique but relevant
- Try to include a core keyword
- Check whether your domain name has been registered as a trademark or is being used by your competitors.
Popular Domain Name Generators
Although we would not advise you to use an online generator for your chosen domain name, they can be helpful when brainstorming to help put you on the right track.
Here are three popular domain name generators for you to consider.
Nameboy
Nameboy is the oldest domain name generator and has established itself as a trusted resource. Simply enter one or two keywords related to your brand or industry and you will be provided with a list of unique options to provide you with a few ideas.
As well as domain names, Nameboy also helps with blog names, business names, and brand names.
Wordoid
If you have a keyword in mind that you would like to include in your domain name then type it into Wordoid for a list of options that include that specific word. Wordoid concentrates on domain names that are 10 characters in length, with a limit of between 5-15 characters.
IsItWP
This is a very fast tool that allows the user to turn a brand name or keywords into a usable domain name. IsItWP is also integrated with BlueHost, allowing you to register your favorite domain name almost instantly.
Creating A Domain Name - Conclusion
Choosing the right domain name is not as simple as some people may think and there are many things to consider to ensure it is memorable, unique, and available to use. Many of the mistakes that are often made are easily avoidable, especially when it comes to making sure your domain name is easy to type and pronounce.
Including a targeted keyword is also very advantageous from an SEO perspective and establishing your brand within your chosen industry.
