Choosing a Domain Name
Your domain name is your digital address – the first impression people have of your business online. Therefore, it is essential to focus some time developing a domain name that reflects your business, is clear, concise, easy to remember, and avoids any aspects that make it more likely a visitor will make an error when typing in your domain. Here’s how to choose the perfect one to set yourself up for success:
Keep It Short and Simple
Short domains are easier to remember, type, and share without mistakes. Avoid lengthy or complicated URLs that can be easily misspelled or forgotten. Website visitors want speed and efficiency when visiting a business’s website. They don’t want to spend time trying to remember or type in a long, complicated URL. The easier and quicker you make site access and navigation, the more likely potential customers will visit and utilize your website.
Use Your Business Name or Relevant Keywords
There are times when it will not be possible to use your business name or keywords in your URL. Sometimes they are already in use. However, incorporating your business name or relevant keywords enhances SEO and clarifies what you offer. For example, smithplumbingkc.com tells customers exactly who you are and where you are located.
Avoid Hyphens and Numbers
This tip aligns with the first tip: keeping your domain name simple. Hyphens and numbers create confusion when spoken aloud and increase the risk of typos. Whenever you introduce a possibility for confusion and complication, you increase the likelihood of losing website visitors. Stick with clean, easy-to-pronounce words to avoid unnecessary complications for your website visitors. Easy-to-pronounce, simple URLs will pay dividends down the road, as they convert visitors who might get lost in the confusion and frustration of trying to type in or remember complicated URLs.
Choose a .com Extension if Possible
Today, there are many more extensions to choose from when selecting a URL. The extensions vary in cost as well as public trust and recognition. The .com extension is the most recognized and trusted extension. If .com is unavailable, consider alternatives like .net or .co, but always prioritize .com when possible. If you are an organization, the .org extension is also a great choice. Studio 7 always recommends securing the .com, .org, and other popular extensions to protect your domain and brand once you are set up.
Check Availability Across All Platforms
Consistency is key for branding. Before finalizing your domain, ensure it’s available as usernames on major social media platforms to maintain a unified online presence. Having the consistency across the major platforms you will be utilizing makes it much easier for customers to find you on whatever platform they prefer to use. It reduces confusion for the customer and increases engagement.
Make It Easy to Pronounce and Share
Our street name is hard to pronounce and spell. It is so bad that we don’t even pronounce it for people when giving directions; we spell it out to avoid confusion with the pronunciation of the street. Don’t create a similar problem with hard-to-pronounce URLs. If people can’t say your domain out loud confidently, it’s harder to share by word of mouth. Test it by telling a friend verbally and seeing if they can spell it without confusion.
Avoid Trademark Issues
Before purchasing your domain name, check for existing trademarks to avoid potential legal issues in the future. Use the USPTO Trademark Search to ensure your domain doesn’t infringe on another business. Spend some time searching the internet as well to ensure there isn’t a Trademark issue or to avoid similar URLs that could confuse potential clients down the road.
Think Long-Term
Choose a domain name that will grow with your business. Avoid names tied to a specific product or service if you plan to expand your offerings in the future. Spending some time preparing for future-proofing your URL in the beginning can save you a lot of work and headaches down the line.
Consider Adding a Location if Relevant
For local businesses, adding your city or state improves SEO and helps customers know you serve their area (e.g., kansascitywebdesign.com). If it makes sense for your business to include the location in the URL, it might be a good idea for local SEO purposes to do so.
Act Fast
Great domain names sell quickly. If you find the perfect one, register it immediately before someone else does. Grab any additional extensions you can to reduce the chance that imitators or other businesses will utilize the same or similar URL with different extensions.
Check for History and Backlinks
If buying an existing domain, research its history to ensure it doesn’t have penalties or a negative reputation. Use tools like the Wayback Machine to view archived content and use programs like Ahrefs or Moz to review backlinks.
Think About Future Branding Opportunities
Imagine your domain on marketing materials, vehicle wraps, business cards, and billboards. Select one that appears clean and professional in all applications.
A Little Planning Now Avoids Big Pains in the Future
Choosing the right domain name is a strategic step that helps build your brand, enhances trust, and improves search engine visibility. Need help registering or transferring your domain? Studio 7 offers domain services and hosting. Contact Studio 7 Web Design today – we’ll make it easy for you. Are you a small business owner? Here are 5 Website Mistakes that lose small business customers.
