Discover these crucial insights on selecting the ideal domain name for your business or personal brand.
Selecting a domain name is a crucial part of creating your digital identity and developing your brand. It’s not merely a location; it embodies who you are.
Choosing a domain name involves careful thought and consideration. What do you think of the name? What feelings does it stir up? Should it feature SEO terms, or align perfectly with your brand name?
Here are 12 helpful tips to assist you in discovering a suitable and budget-friendly domain name. Next, launch an e-commerce platform or create your own personal site.
12 Steps to Selecting the Perfect Domain Name
1. Choose a domain name that is concise, distinctive, and easy to remember.
Once you have a brand name, the initial action is to secure that name as your domain. A branded domain name simplifies the process for individuals to discover you on the internet and links your business directly to your website.
Depending on the length and characters in your brand name, you might consider making some adjustments when utilizing it as a web address. Strive to:
Ensure your domain name is no longer than 15 characters
Steer clear of words that are hard to spell.
Steer clear of nontraditional spelling (for instance, using “U” in place of “you”).
Be cautious of accidentally combining words (for instance, “Children’s wear” turning into “childrenswear”).
First and foremost, ensure your domain name is straightforward and memorable, allowing people to easily locate you on the internet.
2. Avoid hyphens and numbers
Typographical errors are common among users. To minimize the risk of visitors misspelling your domain name, it is advisable to exclude hyphens and numbers.
Furthermore, eliminating numbers and hyphens enhances the mobile-friendliness of your domain name. When entering a URL on a mobile device, users often need to toggle between alphabetical and numerical keyboards, increasing the likelihood of errors, misspellings, and user frustration.
When choosing your domain name, steer clear of:
Avoiding mixing numbers and words: www.k33l.com
Hyphens: www.heelo-5.com
Doubled letters: www.keeppushing.com
3. Choose a .com domain name
When faced with the decision of selecting a domain extension, there exists a discussion regarding which one can potentially drive more traffic to your website. The .com extension stands out as the most established and reputable choice, being utilized by approximately 70% of websites. Additionally, the widespread presence of a ".com" key on many smartphones facilitates ease of access for visitors typing your domain.
Nevertheless, there are valid reasons to opt for an alternative extension. For instance, if acquiring a .net extension costs under a hundred dollars while the .com variant is priced in the thousands, opting for the former may present a more financially prudent decision.
4. Check for relevant top-level domains
When exploring the most popular domain registrars, you might discover that your desired name is already taken with the .com extension. If that happens, there's no need to worry. There are numerous other extensions or top-level domains that can offer valuable insights into your website's content:
.“city”: An excellent choice for local businesses in a specific city, such as .london or .boston.
.co: A versatile global alternative to .com suitable for all languages and cultures.
.org: Ideal for nonprofit organizations looking to distinguish themselves.
.shop: A straightforward and effective top-level domain for ecommerce platforms.
.store: Perfect for small business owners and online retailers.
.trade: An excellent option for wholesalers or B2B ecommerce stores.
5. Include SEO keywords in your domain name
When selecting your domain name, confidently feature the primary keyword that visitors commonly use in search engines to locate your website. Incorporating a keyword in your domain effectively communicates to search engines the essence of your website.
While including a keyword may not always seem straightforward, it's essential to brainstorm creatively to craft a compelling domain name. Begin with a couple of broad keywords that best depict your offerings and then integrate your company name.
For instance, if your business revolves around apparel, incorporating the term “clothing” in your domain name could be impactful. Consider following this formula: [brand name] + [broad keyword] = [domain name]:
thursday + bunch = thursday .com
Brianna + smellgood = briannasmellgood.com or smellbybrianna .com
Remember to limit your selection to one or two keywords. Overloading with keywords may come across as spammy and deter visitors from engaging with your site.
6. Utilize a domain name generator for inspiration
When facing a roadblock in selecting a domain name, turn to Shopify's complimentary domain name generator for ideas. Simply input a keyword, and the tool will provide you with a plethora of options for popular domain names related to it, ideal for your business.
7. Research your desired domain name
After selecting a domain name, it is crucial to verify its availability by checking if it has already been registered.
When choosing a domain name, it's essential to verify that no other business is already using a similar name. You can conduct this check through three methods:
Conduct a thorough trademark search. Visit USPTO.gov and explore the trademark database to ensure no similar name is already registered.
Examine social media platforms. Delve into Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other relevant channels to confirm your name’s availability. This step is crucial for future social media marketing initiatives.
Conduct a comprehensive Google search. Enter your preferred name into Google to verify any existing association with your brand.
8.Choose a domain name that is poised for scalability.
When choosing a domain name, it is crucial to consider the future growth of your business. Opt for a name that is sufficiently broad to incorporate potential expansions or diversifications.
For example, a BBQ Restrant could be limited by a domain name like “BBqfingerlickinggood com” if they later decided to expand beyond selling BBQ. Instead, a name like “fingerlickingfood.com” would accommodate a wider range of related products in future.
When your business scales, it is essential to invest in a dedicated domain to firmly establish your brand's online presence.
9.Don't forget to prioritize domain privacy and security features.
Almost all domain registrars offer robust security features like WHOIS privacy, safeguarding your personal information from public access. This feature usually substitutes your details with those of a proxy service.
Moreover, make sure your selected domain includes SSL encryption to protect the data transmitted between your website and its visitors—a crucial element in establishing trust with your audience.
10.Check domain renewal options
Be wary of registrars that entice you with low initial domain prices—as they might escalate the rates upon renewal.
Make sure to thoroughly review the renewal fee terms and the renewal process. Keep track of renewal dates to prevent any accidental domain loss, which could have serious consequences for your business.
Consider registrars that provide auto-renewal features to safeguard your domain from being lost due to oversight.
11.Look for pre-owned domains on marketplaces
Sometimes, the perfect domain name for your brand is already owned by someone else. In such cases, browse domain auction sites and marketplaces for pre-owned domains.
These platforms offer domains that are no longer in use but may carry more authority or SEO advantages due to their age and history. With some research, you could find a low-cost domain that offers excellent value.
If you decide to purchase a pre-owned domain, make sure to check its history to avoid any SEO penalties associated with previous misuse.
12. Buy multiple domain names
After securing your first domain, it is highly advantageous to consider acquiring any related names. Owning multiple domains not only safeguards your brand but also allows you to capture common misspellings and target various geographic regions.
For instance, in the event of international expansion, obtaining country-specific domains such as .co.uk or .de can prove to be extremely valuable. Furthermore, possessing variations of your main domain can effectively deter competitors from intercepting your redirected traffic.
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