Name your kid or choose a domain: which is harder?
Until they can get a judge to change it, your bambino will have to live with the moniker you decide, but you don’t need to think of something new to call them. Inspiration can come from historical figures, literary characters, or even your favorite TV show.
It is, however, essential that you ensure your domain is truly unique when it comes to your digital baby. Repeats are not allowed.
How do you choose a good domain name?
Generally speaking, you’ll want a memorable, recognizable, and easily pronounced name. It’s also wise to avoid names that are too long or overly specific. A few simple guidelines can help you choose a name that helps you drive more traffic to your website.
In this article, I’ll explain why it’s important to choose the right domain name, and I’ll provide you with 11 factors to consider. In addition, I will discuss the best places to register a domain and how to get one free with your web hosting. Now let’s get started!
What Makes Your Domain Name Important
The domain name is just as important to your brand as your logo or business name. Even if your branding is perfect in every other aspect, if there’s something about your domain name that turns potential customers away, they’ll likely go elsewhere.
Likewise, the opposite is also true. People would be eager to check out and share your web address if it is accurate and fun to say. In many cases, people’s first impression of your brand is your domain.
In addition, you cannot easily change your domain name after your site has been launched. Although it is possible to do, it is time-consuming and has consequences. For example, it may result in traffic loss and unnecessary downtime. Taking the time you need to think of a name you will love will make life much easier for you in the long run.
How to Choose a Domain Name: 11 Things to Consider
When choosing a domain name, you’ll find that there are plenty of opinions available. We’ll take a look at eleven key points to consider to simplify the process.
1. Be careful when choosing your top-level domain extension
Your Top Level Domain (TLD) is the part of your domain that comes after your site’s name. .com, .net, and .org are the most common TLDs.
Although there are plenty of newer TLD options, it’s usually best to stick with .com if at all possible. Since it’s been around the longest and is the most popular, people are very familiar with it.
There is a possibility that you won’t be able to secure a good domain name with a .com TLD since many are already taken. However, it’s not the end of the world if you must use a different solution.
2. Strategically use keywords
Keywords aren’t only for content. Your domain name is used by search engines to understand what your site is about and help determine search rankings. When possible, you should include keywords in your domain name.
You should choose keywords that are relevant to your website when choosing your domain name. You should focus more on representing your content accurately than on adding keywords for their own sake. Try out Google Keyword Planner if you’re stumped for ideas.
With this tool, you can explore keywords based on their search volume and other factors to find terms people actually use. However, don’t overdo it. If you use too many keywords, especially popular ones, you may make your site appear untrustworthy and boring.
3. Ensure your domain name is easy to pronounce and spell
A memorable domain name is probably what you want. In any case, if you are thinking about naming your baby after Elon Musk, don’t. You may have to give someone your website or email address verbally one day, no matter how cool it looks spelled out.
Word-of-mouth is still a powerful form of advertising. In addition, it only works if your domain is pronounceable by people. Moreover, this makes it easier for people to remember the name, increasing their likelihood of visiting and passing the site along.
4. Avoid using hyphens
A hyphenated domain name may seem like a clever way to get the name that you want. However, they can be difficult to explain verbally. In addition, they make typing the domain more difficult. Many people will forget about them entirely and end up on someone else’s website.
You should generally avoid anything that doesn’t begin with a letter when you’re brainstorming domain name ideas. This includes replacing letters with numbers. People are more likely to misremember and mistype names with those kinds of touches.
5. Don’t use double letters
The use of double letters in a domain name practically invites typos. Double letters are difficult to read and even more difficult to type.
You may end up with someone typosquatting and stealing your traffic if you make mistakes frequently enough. In addition, even a few moments spent trying to figure out how to spell your domain is an unnecessary distraction.
6. Make sure your domain name is short
There are several reasons why short domain names are better. First, they are easier to type and remember. As a result, they are good for branding.
Additionally, an overly long domain name is another way to look suspicious. On the other hand, if you don’t use too many keywords and make your name easy to pronounce, your domain name will be naturally short.
7. Be unique and brandable
Having a unique domain name can help your business stand out and potentially keep you out of legal trouble. Furthermore, it can contribute to your marketing efforts, so you’ll want it to be brandable.
8. Choose a flexible domain name
Domain names are one area in which you don’t want to paint yourself into a corner. It’s okay to be precise enough to attract an audience, but you should not be so specific that your website can’t grow.
As an example, “shutter.photography” would be perfect for a photography blog. Nevertheless, if you want to write about other art forms as well, you’ll be stuck with an inaccurate domain name. Therefore, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the potential expansion of your site or business.
9. Research your domain names
After you’ve narrowed down your search to a few candidates, you can use a research tool to find out if it’s available. The fact that the domain name is available doesn’t mean someone else can’t claim it as well.
It’s also a good idea to get your social media handles set up. If you can’t find an exact match, try finding something that makes sense for your domain name.
10. Don’t get paralyzed by analysis
There is a good chance that someone else will want your desired domain name as well. Don’t hesitate to buy the domain if you’re sure about your choice.
It’s especially recommended if it’s reasonably priced. Plus, you can always let the registration expire if you find something better in the future. You don’t want to be involved in a dispute because you waited too long.
11. Ensure your brand is protected with multiple domains
Have you heard the expression, “If the shoe fits, buy it in every color?”. That’s the same case with domain names.
Even if you manage to secure a coveted .com address, you may still consider other options and setting up redirects. You can even purchase common misspellings of your domain name.Applying this strategy to social media is a smart move. Even if you don’t intend to use Twitter, you might want to grab a decent handle if one is available. You’ll be prepared if you decide to tweet, and you’ll prevent someone from taking your username.
Domain Registration: Where to Register
After you choose a domain name, you need to choose a domain registrar, which is where you will purchase the domain. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a registrar:
- Domain transfers. Review the registrar’s transfer policy. If it’s expensive or complicated, look elsewhere.
- Pricing. Some companies offer lower prices for the first year, but then increase them when the time comes to renew. Some may lock you into a contract with a specific length of time.
- Expiration policy. Domains are rented rather than purchased. You can lose the lease if you forget to renew it. Choose a registrar that offers automatic renewals and a grace period.
- Domain privacy protection. As a website owner, you must add your personal information to a public database. To safeguard your identity, domain privacy protection hides your primary contact information.
- Subdomains. No separate registration is required for subdomains. However, you will want to make sure your registrar makes adding subdomains to your site easy.
You can choose from a variety of registrars. However, when registering a domain, it often makes sense to do so through your hosting company.
Get a Free Domain with Your Web Hosting
Several web hosts give away a free domain name when you sign up for a hosting plan. Renewals may be required after the first year, but they are not usually costly. If you register your domain through your hosting provider, you won’t have to worry about moving it.
When you order one of our Business hosting plans, you will get a free domain name from Intech Cloud Hosting. Once you’ve selected the right option, click on Register a new domain.
Many possible domain names . . .
When choosing a domain name, you have a lot to consider. It’s one of the first major decisions you’ll have to make when setting up your online presence. A careful selection can pave the way for future success.
Fortunately, you can find a lot of information to help you make your choice. Your domain name should be short, easy to pronounce, and easy to remember. Once you have a name in mind, you can follow our tips to choose a registrar and get a free domain from your web hosting provider.
Do you have a domain name in mind for your website? Intech Cloud offers Affordable Domain Registration when you sign up!
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