Choosing a domain name is probably the most important task when setting up a website for your business. It requires a lot of thought and consideration as it will be your online identity. If you want the perfect domain name for your business, here is a guide on how to choose a domain name.
- Should Be Easy to Type
Your customers should be able to type in your address in their browser even if you told them about it over a phone call. This means that you should avoid using slang (using “u” instead of “you”). You should also avoid using words with multiple spellings (xpress and express). Such names make it hard for customers to find you online.
- Should Be Short
The longer your domain name is the higher the chances of customers misspelling or forgetting it. One or two words will do.
- Incorporate Keywords
While it’s tempting to get a domain name in the name of your business, you will have more impact if you use keywords that describe what you do. For example, instead of using “terrymerchants.com”, you can use “autorepair.com”. This makes it easier for people who are searching for your services to find you. You will also rank higher for your set of keywords.
- Should Be Targeted
If you only serve customers in one part of the country, then it makes sense to have a targeted domain name. For example, if you serve people living in Detroit, then you can have your domain name as “detroitautorepair.com”.
- Do Not Use Hyphens and Numbers
When a customer hears your website address mentioned, they won’t know whether you’ve used words (five) or numerals (5) if you have a number in the domain name. They also won’t know whether there’s a hyphen unless you specifically mention it.
- Catchy and Memorable
You want a name that people will remember and love. It is best to share the name with friends and family before buying the domain just to get some feedback on its suitability.
- Consider the Legal Implications
You do not want to register a domain that has been trademarked or copyrighted by another person or company. You also want to make sure it’s not already being used by a competitor where they will be conflict or confusion. This is a very important step when selecting a domain name. You will avoid lawsuits and having to start from scratch again.
- Choose the Appropriate Extension
Domain extensions are the suffixes used at the end of the address. They include .net, .com, .info, .org, .biz, .me and others. There are also country specific domains and other generic top-level domains such as .guru and .photography. You need to pick one that is most appropriate for your business. Below are some tips on doing this.
- .me: meant for resumes, personal sites or blogs.
- .org: best for nonprofits and non-commercial organizations.
- .net: meant for Internet infrastructure and technical sites.
- .info: meant for informational sites.
- .co: This is an abbreviation for commerce, company, and community.
- Do Not Dilly Dally
If you wait too long, you might miss out on your preferred domain name since they sell out very fast. Always have several names in mind for your domain since there is a high probability that the name you chose is already taken. This is especially so for top-level .com domain names.
