It’s fantastic that you intend to launch your own business website!
But how are you going to help people find your website?
That’s the use of a domain name, then.
Though it may appear simple, choosing one is actually a little trickier than you may imagine.
Choosing a domain name that sticks out as distinctive might be challenging because there are already over 360 million registered domain names.
It is not advisable to use a random name because, to be honest, once you select and register a domain, it’s pretty much set in stone.
Replacing it would require spending a lot of money and time on a new one.
We have created this guide to help simplify the entire procedure. It explains the significance of choosing a domain name and provides advice on how to choose the ideal one.
What is a Domain Name?
Online businesses have a virtual address known as a domain, much like real establishments have a street address that customers may visit. On the internet, a domain (or domain name) acts as your online business location.
The same is true for domains—you must either purchase or rent a physical location. However, a domain name is not something you can purchase forever, unlike a property. Instead, to utilize it, you must pay a registrar a fee either monthly or annually.
There are two components to a domain name:
- The actual domain name should be “Amazon.”
- A top-level domain (TLD), often known as a domain extension, such as “.com.”
Finding the ideal domain requires more work than you may think, even though registering one is simple and reasonably priced.
Nonetheless, there are a ton of web res available to help with domain registration and transfer, as well as simplifying the process of building and launching your own website.
Hocoos is one such platform where you can create your own website in just a few minutes with the help of AI technology. Moreover, you can also transfer and customize domains with ease.
Why Choosing Domain Names for Business Matters?
Choosing a domain name isn’t just about having a web address; it can enhance your site’s credibility and trustworthiness, ultimately driving more traffic. Let’s learn why it is important.
Branding
Using your business name in your domain is vital for building a brand and increasing recognition. A domain with your business name, paired with the right keyword and top-level domain (TLD), can help you in branding and marketing.
First Impression
Your domain name is often the first thing visitors notice when they land on your website. It needs to be unique and memorable, leaving a lasting impression.
Go for terms related to your business niche that resonate with your target audience, making your domain easy to remember.
Search Engine Optimization
While a domain doesn’t directly impact SEO, a well-chosen one can indirectly improve it. A user-friendly website address can pique visitor interest and boost click-through rates. To make it SEO-friendly, include a relevant keyword and avoid using hyphens or numbers.
10 Ultimate Practices for Choosing a Domain Name
Follow a few easy tips to choose the best domain names for businesses.
Keep it Short and Simple
Long domain names are harder to remember, leading to less traffic. Aim for a name between 6 and 14 characters. Also, ensure it’s easy to spell and pronounce to avoid user confusion.
For word-of-mouth marketing to work in expanding your business, the domain name needs to be simple to spell and say. Sharing the website address becomes challenging if it’s not.
Many successful companies, like Nike, Puma, and Meta, stick to four-letter domain names for easy recall. Another approach is using straightforward two-word phrases, such as Hungryfoody.com or Speaknow.com.
Pick the Right Domain Extension
The final and most important portion of your domain name is the top-level domain (TLD), often known as the domain extension. TLDs that are well-known, trustworthy, and regarded as reliable include .net and. org.
Here’s a little explanation:
- .com: This domain name, which commonly refers to enterprises, stands for commercial. Amazon.com is among them.
- .net: Originally used for networking technologies, it is linked to a number of different industries today.
- .org: This extension is used for organizations; non-profits like WWF.org usually use it.
It’s safe to stick with .com because it will improve the impression of your website and may increase click-through rates.
Include Keywords in Your Domain
It’s important to use keywords in your domain. It helps search engines determine the purpose of your website when you include it in your domain name.
Your Google ranking can go up if you use keyword-rich domains and good content and make sure users have a good experience.
It can be difficult to find a domain that is available that has your desired keywords. To make your domain stand out, you must be creative and combine your keywords with other terms.
When selecting a domain name, careful keyword research can improve search engine rankings.
Don’t Use Doubled Letters, Hyphens, or Numbers
Make sure you avoid using hyphens or numbers in your domain. It is also important to avoid the same letters. These things make it harder for people to get to your website than they need to be. It’s hard to remember them, and they can make your site look bad.
Moreover, they increase the chances of typos, making it harder for users to find your business online. When sharing your website verbally with clients, it becomes challenging to convey a domain name clearly if it includes these things. Keep it simple for a smoother online experience.
Go with Your Brand Name
Customers are likely to remember your store by its brand name, like Nike. So, it makes sense to use your brand name when picking domain names for businesses (e.g., nike.com).
Using your brand name also allows flexibility for future expansions in your product range. You won’t need to create new websites and domains each time you add new products.
It’s great to use your brand name, but don’t forget to put time and effort into building and pushing it. People will then know to look for it as your domain name, which will make your online presence stronger.
Check for Trademarks
It’s valuable to do some study before choosing a domain name. Do not use brand names, trademarks, or website names that have already been taken. This keeps potential customers from getting confused and keeps you from getting into legal trouble that could hurt your brand’s image.
You might not be able to buy a name that violates trademarks from most registrars. A quick search on Google can help you check for trademarks.
Strike a Balance Between Creativity and Availability
As many domain names with popular keywords are already taken, it’s time to get creative. This involves not just the name but also considering the perfect domain extension (TLD) for your site.
For instance, if you’re starting a travel blog, you might use options like exploretheworldwith.us instead of traveltwithus.com. The former is more engaging and could have better availability compared to the common .com TLD.
Check the Domain’s History
Before you finalize your preferred domain name, take a look at its history. This step offers various advantages:
· Competitive Insight: Examining a domain’s history may reveal if it was previously used for a website related to your field. Registering such a domain could benefit your SEO strategy.
· SEO Consideration: Make sure the domain has a clean history with search engines to avoid jeopardizing your digital marketing efforts. Domains with a history of black hat SEO could lead to a Google penalty.
· Brand Concerns: Learn if the previous website owner had ethical issues to avoid buying a domain with a questionable reputation.
· Security Check: Looking into the background of a domain can help you find any cyberattacks that have happened in the past, which adds an extra layer of security.
Check Social Media Compatibility
When building a brand, it’s best to use the same name for your website and social media accounts. This helps people get to know your business and makes it easy for them to find you on different platforms. By connecting your social accounts to your website, you can also get your customers more involved.
Make sure that the domain name you choose is available on major social networking sites like X, Instagram, and Facebook. If not, you could change things up by adding “official” to the end of the social name.
Secure Your Domain Early
Even if your website isn’t ready yet, buy the domain name you want right away. Every day, about 33,000 new names are registered, so the one you want might not be available for long.
Domain prices can also go up over time based on the popularity of keywords, extensions, and providers. Keep an eye out for registrars that offer deals on premium domains. This is your chance to get a domain for a low price.
Conclusion
Choosing a domain name that’s unique and relevant is essential for drawing in more visitors to your site.
Therefore, before making a purchase, website owners should thoroughly consider their options. You can follow the 10 best practices we have listed in this article to pick domain names for business with ease.
