Today’s guest on the blog: Namecheap!
With more than 2 million customers worldwide, Namecheap is the place to go when you want to buy a domain name. This is why we’ve invited them to give us some tips on how to choose the right domain name. Read on!
Your website’s success depends on the name you choose. You may not be able to change it easily if you pick the wrong one at the beginning. As a result, picking the best name from the get-go is critical. But coming up with creative website names when you’re just getting started can be a challenge.
If you find yourself plagued by such worries and in need of a good website name, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll go over all the resources and advice you’ll need to come up with some great name concepts. After you’re done reading this, you’ll even be able to handle bulk domain registrations easily! So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Sticking with ‘.com’ Might Be Best
It’s not always a good idea to go all out when it comes to extensions. Here are your guidelines:
- While new extensions like ”.me” or ”.pro” may feel fashionable and eye-catching, ”.com” is still the easiest to remember and most regularly used. In fact, more than three-quarters of all websites end in “.com.” as their domain extension.
- Consider obtaining the .com name for your company or start-up. For starters, you’ll need to find out who owns the dot com domain first. You won’t be able to afford to buy your preferred.com if it’s currently owned by a major business unless you have a fortune to spare. Other well-known extensions like “.co,” “.net,” or “.org” can be used instead of the coveted “.com.”
- Then there’s “.nl” for the Netherlands and “.de” for Germany, which are country-specific extensions. These are completely OK if you’re not planning to do business outside the country you chose. For instance, the .ca extension is perfect for a Canadian corporation operating only in Canada.
Source: Statista
Make Sure It’s Easy to Say
Even when people aren’t likely to say the name out loud, pronounceability is still vital. Due to what is known as processing fluency, our brains can digest large amounts of information quickly. When it comes to remembering a name, those that don’t need a person to think too much are usually the best.
All of that potential traffic is wasted if your address is frequently misspelled by users due to its complexity. As a rule, the majority of individuals will give up searching for your brand’s website after a few failed Google searches.
Basically, you’ve lost if you have to spell it out over the phone. Make it easy for your customers to find you, and you’ll reap the benefits! For example, if teachers wanted their voices to be heard better, they should have chosen something other than teacherstalking.com! Though this domain is for sale now, it’s not a good bargain.
It Should Represent Your Brand
As a URL, your domain name is the face of your business. You must therefore make certain that it sounds like a brand.
So, what exactly can you do about accomplishing this challenging task? Rely on simplicity, freshness, and memorability. Remove punctuation marks and anything else that makes it seem weird. A wonderful example is Pepsi.com. When compared to alternatives like ”Pepsi-cola.com” or ”Pepsi-2-drink.com”, the utter simplicity of the actual domain really steals the show.
Brevity is Desirable
Short names can be simple and memorable, but if they’re too short, they can actually be more difficult to remember. Here’s a thought experiment. PastaScience.com versus PastaSci.com: Which is better? Although it is shorter, the abbreviated version is more difficult to say and recall. The first version works well.
The key to success here is finding a happy medium. Keep it simple, but don’t mutilate your name by slashing off entire words.
An acronym may be a good choice for a name if you’re looking to save space. If your brand or product is frequently referred to by its initials, it’s usually a good idea to use the initials. For example, WWF.org is the address of the World Wildlife Fund. Since their charity is well-known and commonly referred to as “WWF,” this is ideal for them.
Do Your Research Beforehand
It is important that you have a memorable name. If the name is too close to that of an existing brand, consumers can get the two mixed up. You don’t want to have to deal with any legal difficulties at the end of the day. If a trademark is infringed upon by your name, you run the risk of having to change it.
In addition, always look up on social media and YouTube to make sure your chosen name is unique and doesn’t overlap with an idea someone else has had in mind!
Keep in mind that a search engine is nothing more than an algorithm. If it is possible for consumers to confuse the name of your firm with that of another, then a search engine stands no chance. If you choose a name for your company that is too similar to that of another company, the search engine results for your name may be cluttered with unrelated links.
Source: Unsplash
Use the Right Keywords
Make no mistake: keywords are king. By including relevant keywords in your domain name, you may provide search engines with information about the content. If you include applicable search terms in the name of your website, it may achieve a higher ranking in relevant searches.
It might be very challenging to find an appropriate domain name that includes your primary keywords and is not currently in use. You’ll need to get creative with the keywords and other terms you use on your address if you want it to stand out from the competition. Try a keyword generator to ensure you’re always given the best choices for your domain!
Avoid Hyphenated Website Links
When thinking of a name for your address, hyphens are never a good idea. Because you do not want to be associated with spam domains that contain hyphens, it is imperative that you steer clear of them.
Hyphenated domains are also susceptible to mistakes for other reasons. For example, if you use a name that contains hyphens because the name you want is already taken, then it is possible that visitors to your website will be led to that of a rival if they forget to type in the hyphen. This is because the name you want is already taken.
Try Not to Repeat Letters
Because doing this boosts the possibility that website users may make typing errors when accessing the page, it is in your best interests to steer clear of names that contain duplicate letters. For example, a website with the name Paperreview.com has a higher chance of having its name misspelled, which will lead to a decrease in visitors.
You may make your name easier to type and easier to remember by avoiding the use of duplicated characters. This will have the added benefit of making your name more memorable.
Keep Room for Growth
Choose a website name that relates to your industry or specialization to offer your website’s visitors an idea of what it is about before they visit. On the other hand, you don’t want to put yourself in a bind for the foreseeable future.
Orchidblog.com might not be a good choice for a florist who wants to blog about different types of flowers, such as roses or hydrangeas, because they may not attract readers who are interested in flowers other than orchids.
If you don’t handle it correctly, migrating your page to a new address can be a time-consuming and stressful procedure. That’s why it’s critical to choose a site name that can grow with your business.
You Can Change Things as a Last Resort
You tried following the instructions given above, but you still ended up with a name that was already taken? When you apply to register a domain, there are a number of things you can do to make your name stand out from the crowd, such as adding a suffix to it or modifying it in some other way.
Options for a prefix or suffix include phrases like “ThePastaTerra.com” and “PastaTerraShop.com,” respectively. Utilizing a different extension is also an alternative, provided that it does not go against the advice that has been given thus far and that it is suitable for both your brand and the demographic you are trying to attract. Terra.pasta is an appropriate point of reference.
The final word
All these tips should have taught you how to choose a domain name that is not only perfect for your brand but actively promotes your company and grows with your expanding business. This is something every company worth its salt needs, and now that you know how to pick one, you should be able to reach the next level and grow your business beyond your wildest dreams!
Coleen Branch
Colleen started her copywriting career in 2008. She loves to write honest, clear, and concise copy, and her work has been featured in many places in print and online, including HuffPost UK and The Times. Colleen’s passions include cooking, playing pool, and board games.