Picking the best domain name for your website is key to your prosperity. On the off chance that you pick the wrong domain name, at that point it very well may be a burden to change later on without harming your image and search rankings.
It is important to choose a good domain name from the beginning.
If you’re having trouble coming up with a catchy business name, try thinking of something that would be perfect for a domain name.
If you’re interested in getting a new domain name, this article will give you all the tools and tips you need to choose the best one and register it for free.
15 Tips for Choosing the Best Domain Name
Selecting a domain name for your blog can be a tough decision because you want to avoid picking the wrong one.
We have a 15 step framework that you can use to pick the best domain for your website.
1. Stick with .com
There are a lot of new domain name extensions that you can choose from. You can choose the original ones like .com, .net, and .org. You can also choose niche extensions like .pizza, .photography, and even .blog.
We always recommend choosing a .com domain name.
It can be tempting to come up with clever blog names using new domain name extensions, but .com is still the most established and credible.
We believe that newer domain extensions, such as .ninja, .photography, and others, can make your business look less trustworthy.
Dot-com domains are more memorable than other types of domains. Many users, especially those who aren’t as tech-savvy, will automatically type “.com” at the end of every domain without thinking about it.
If your website is something like jane.photography, and your users accidentally type in jane.photography.com, they will end up on your website.
The .com extension is the safest choice to avoid any risks.
In addition, many smartphone keyboards have an automatically generated .com button.
2. Use keywords in your domain name search.
Keywords are an important part of any domain. By incorporating them into your domain name, you are telling search engines what your website is about. This, combined with quality content and a good user experience, can help you rank higher in Google.
It can be difficult to find a domain that includes your target keywords and is not already taken.
In order to make your domain name memorable, you will need to be creative in combining your keywords with other words. This will help make your domain name stand out amongst other similar domain names.
3. Keep your domain name short.
While it is important to use keywords in your domain name, you should not make the domain name too long. A domain name that is shorter and easy to remember is better.
You should keep your domain name under 15 characters so it is easier for people to remember.
Furthermore, longer domain names are more likely to result in typos, which can lead to lost traffic.
It is a good idea to keep your domain name short.
4. Make your domain name easy to Pronounce and Spell
It’s important that you can easily share your domain name both verbally and in writing, as you never know when you’ll be asked to provide it.
If you’re looking to create a professional email address for your business using your domain name, it’s important to make sure it’s easy to understand and spell for anyone who hears it.
5. Avoid double letters.
It is advisable to stay away from domains that have repeating letters as this heightens the chances of typo-related traffic loss. For example, a domain such as Presssetup.com is more likely to suffer from typos, resulting in lost traffic.
Having doubled letters in your domain name makes it difficult to type and less brandable.
6. Leave room to expand.
A domain name related to your industry is a good idea because it tells users what your website is about. You don’t want to limit your options too much, though.
A florist might, for example, choose a domain name like orchidblog.com. However, if they then want to start blogging about other flowers besides orchids, the domain name they chose could prevent them from attracting readers interested in reading about other flowers.
Picking a flexible domain name from the start is important so that you don’t lose search rankings when you move your site to a new domain.
7. Research your domain name.
It is advisable to check if the name you have chosen for your domain is already in use by another business.
A trademark search can tell you if there’s already a trademarked name that’s similar or identical to the one you’re considering.
You can also check the name’s availability on top social media websites by doing a Google search. Examples of these websites include Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
If you choose a name for your business that is too similar to another company’s name, it could create confusion and legal problems that could cost you a lot of money.
If you have a website, you can learn how to trademark and copyright your website name and logo.
8. Use domain name generators for clever ideas.
There are currently over 360 million registered domain names, which has led many people to say that all the good domains are already taken.
If you’re looking for a specific domain name, the process can be very time-consuming.
Domain name generators are free tools that automatically search for your defined keywords to find hundreds of clever domain name ideas.
One of the oldest and most popular domain name generator tools online is Nameboy.
You may also find domain name ideas by using WPBeginner’s free Business Name Generator tool, or IsItWP’s domain generator.
9. Act quickly before someone else takes it.
New domain names are being registered every day from all over the world. If you find a domain name you like, don’t wait to snatch it up.
Domain names are similar to real estate in that they can be bought and sold for a profit. Many people actively search for domain names that are easy to remember and have high potential to be resold at a higher price in the future.
You need to act quickly or someone else will register your domain name idea.
We recommend that our readers act quickly when they find a domain name they like, as they are relatively cheap. If you change your mind later, you can let it expire.
10. Choose brandable over generic.
Creative and brandable are always better than generic.
Your domain name is how customers will find and remember your company online. It is the foundation of your brand identity.
Here’s the main difference between a brandable and generic domain name:
A brandable domain name is unique and makes a statement, while a generic domain name is often full of keywords and difficult to remember.
You probably cannot tell the difference between Healthinsurance.net, Newhealthinsurance.com, and Healthinsurancesort.com.
The above text is discussing how the author believes that the word “insurance” is a horribly generic term, and that by using variations of the word “insurance”, the competition will only make the word blend in more.
Sites such as UnitedHealthCareOnline.com and Anthem.com are trusted by many because they are known to be reliable. People often feel safer using these domains because they know they can rely on them.
Here’s how to find a more brandable domain name:
- Create new words. You can make up your own catchy, new words. That’s what Google, Bing, and Yahoo did.
- Use existing words. You can use a thesaurus to find interesting words that fit your brand.
- Use domain name generators. These tools can help you create a unique, brandable domain name from your initial domain ideas and keywords. (We’ll highlight some of our favorite domain name generators later in this post.)
11. Consider short is better than long.
When it comes to domain length, shorter is better.
The average length of a domain name is 12 characters, according to research from Domain Registration.com.
The amount of web traffic the site receives is referred to as popularity.
The data shows that having a concise domain name is better than having a long one.
Six to fourteen characters is optimal. Shoot for 6-14 characters for your domain name. Keep it short for the best chance of success. Longer domain names are probably already taken and cost a lot of money. If you can’t find a short name, make it one that people will remember.
Our own site – websitesetup.org is exactly 12 characters.
12. Make sure it’s easy to type.
Google, Amazon, Facebook, and YouTube are all major sites that see a ton of traffic every day. Some of the most popular websites in the world are Google, Amazon, Facebook, “and YouTube. These sites experience a lot of traffic every day.
Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yahoo, CNN…
All of these words are easy to spell.
If you have to explain the spelling of your domain name to visitors more than once, it is too complicated and they will have trouble typing it.
When creating a website, you want to avoid having potential visitors mistype your domain and end up on a different website.
Here’s an easy way to test this…
If more than a few people struggle to spell your proposed domain name, you should consider simplifying it. Try telling 10 people your potential domain name and seeing how many of them have difficulty spelling it.
13. Make sure it’s easy to pronounce.
Your domain name should be easy to say.
It is easier for people to share your domain name with others if it is easy to say and spell. This also makes it easier for you to share your site with friends and potential customers.
You can test this in the same way as you would test for spelling.
Write your domain name on a piece of paper and ask 10 people to pronounce it. If more than a few people struggle to pronounce it, you may want to simplify it.
There are two things you should consider when choosing a domain name: how easy it is to spell and how easy it is to pronounce. If you want people to be able to remember and share your domain name, it needs to be simple.
14. Avoid hyphens and numbers.
Avoid choosing a domain name that is difficult to spell or pronounce. Hyphens and numbers can make it more difficult.
It would be difficult to explain Facebook if it had a hyphen in its name.
Do you know about this new site called Face-Book? I think there’s a hyphen between the “Face” and the “Book” part.
Facebook likely would not have been as successful if it required users to pay.
Basically, your domain name should be short, sweet, and to the point – no hyphens or numbers necessary.
Stick to the letters!
15. Use domain name generators when stuck.
You should have a general idea of the types of words you want to use in your domain. Some of these words may have been trademarked or taken, or they may not sound right for what you’re looking for.
Domain name generators can be used to create new, available domains based on your ideas.
Here are some of our favorite domain name generators to try out:
- Wordoid This tool allows you to plug in a word; it will come up with ideas that either contain that word, begin with that word or end with that word.
- Lean Domain Search This tool matches your keyword with other keywords and generates a list of available domains.
- DomainHole This tool allows you to search keywords, find expired domains, generate new names, and more.
Free Domain Registration with Web Hosting
The vast majority of web hosting companies also offer domain registration as part of their services. For example, some hosting companies offer a free domain name when you set up a new hosting account.
If you’re creating a new website, taking advantage of this offer to get your domain name for free is a smart idea.
Below are the two WordPress hosting companies that are offering our users over 60% off web hosting, free SSL certificate, and a free domain name:
Bluehost is one of the oldest and most well-known web hosting providers. They are an official “WordPress” recommended hosting provider.
HostGator provides affordable website hosting options and a free domain name.
And that’s it! We hope this article helped clear up how to pick an ideal domain name for your blog or business.
Your domain name is important for the success of your website. Choose it carefully.
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G’day, great list. I recommend to anyone buying a domain for the first time to try and stick to something short and snappy and if possible try to grab the .com version. If the .com isn’t available try getting the domain in your local TLD. So I’m Australian and I use Onward to come up with my domain names: https://onward.com.au/business-name-generator/ just for any Aussies out there reading this blog.
Also if you’re a newbie when it come to domains, be careful of Godaddy. While they’ve been around a very long time, they have a habit of luring you in with a cheap initial registration price but the renewal fees are a killer.