If you’re starting a business or creating your own website, one of the most crucial decisions will be selecting a domain name. Your domain name serves as the face of your brand; therefore it is crucial that it accurately represents its identity by selecting the best name.
But with so many choices out there, how can you select an effective domain name that will distinguish your brand online?
In this post, we’ll go through everything you should know to select an excellent domain name for your brand that stands out in an increasingly saturated web environment.
From tips on brainstorming ideas to checking availability and avoiding common mistakes, we’ve got you covered. So make yourself a cup of coffee (or tea) and let’s dive in!
Selecting a Domain Name Means Laying the Foundation of Your Brand Identity
The creation of your online presence isn’t simply a matter of picking an appealing name or something that is simple to remember. Considered the cornerstone of your brand’s image, your domain name has a deep impact on how people see your company.
What do people use to locate you (or your business) on the web?
That’s right. Your domain name.
It is also the first thing clients see when visiting your site, which is why it should be memorable and represent your company’s image.
Thus, identifying a top domain name is about finding something that will make your customers instantly connect to your company’s brand and the value your company can offer.
Essential Things to Considered When Selecting A Domain Name
Don’t forget the KISS! (Keep It Short and Straightforward)
Domain names that are short are easier to remember.
You should try to find a domain with no longer than 15 characters. If you’re able to limit it to below 10 characters, then that would be a great choice.
Shorter domains are also simpler to type and spell, which decreases the possibility that potential customers will misspell your website’s address.
Tip: Type your domain name in a search engine to see if it is still available to use. If there are websites with the same name it could cause confusion for your target customers that they will have a hard time locating your website.
Keywords Are Definitely the Key
Including keywords in your domain name will aid in improving your site’s ranking on search engines. Consider the primary goal of your website, and then try to include relevant keywords in your website’s domain.
Determine the terms your potential customers might search for when they are looking for businesses similar to yours. This could include terms used in industry as well as geographical places.
When picking a domain name that has keywords, the most crucial thing is to select words or phrases that accurately represent your brand. This means you should choose keywords that can help prospective customers locate you faster through search engine results webpages (SERPs).
Do Your Research and Thank Me Later (wink!)
One aspect that is often ignored when selecting the ideal domain name is the need to check for copyrights and trademarks.
Copyrights and trademarks safeguard intellectual property rights. This means that if your choice of domain name infringes on someone else’s, you could be subject to legal penalties.
This could mean losing your domain name, having to pay huge fines, or being sued.
To avoid these situations, it’s vital that you conduct thorough investigations prior to deciding on your domain’s name.
Here are some suggestions to ensure you don’t violate any copyright laws.
Use trademark search tools
There are numerous tools online that permit you to search for trademarks. Examples of these are the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database as well as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database.
Make sure you check the social media platforms
Check Social Media Platforms Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have strict guidelines to prevent trademark infringement. So, it’s important to determine if your preferred domain name is registered as an account for these social media platforms.
Talk to an attorney
If you’re not sure whether your domain violates any copyrights or trademarks it is recommended to speak to an attorney that specializes in intellectual property laws.
Finding out about copyrights and trademarks is an essential element of deciding on the right domain name. If you do this you will avoid legal issues and ensure your website is safe.
By doing so, it could save you from some headaches in the future!
The Right Domain Extension Makes a Difference
There are many domain extensions that you can choose from which include .com, .net, .org, and numerous others. If you can, try to select the .com extension since it’s the most popular and well-known.
If your site has a specific purpose in a specific area, a different extension may be better.
It is important to select the right extension for your area or industry. Consider the purpose of your site, and select the best extension for your brand or business.
Imprint on It by Branding It!
As we’ve said, your domain name should be memorable and easily linked with your brand, making it easy for people to remember and associate your business with it. Consider creating or combining two words together into a catchy domain name to ensure you stand out.
When choosing a domain name for your website, it’s essential to consider its purpose. For personal blogs, using your own name as the domain may suffice; for business sites, using either their business name or something related would likely be more appropriate.
If your brand has already established itself, using your name as the domain name can help reinforce and make it easier for people to locate you online. If your business is just getting started out, consider choosing something more descriptive of what your business does or offers instead.
Think of the Future As Early As Now
Consider your business’s future when choosing a domain name.
If you anticipate expanding or offering additional services in the near future, choose a name that allows for growth without altering domains. For example, if your online store called “ShoeShine Shop” currently sells only shoe shine products but plans on offering other kinds of footwear soon enough, an expanded name such as “ShoeShineShopOnline” allows for future expansion without switching domains.
Once you’ve selected some potential domain names, it’s important to check their availability. This is where choosing a Domain Registrar comes into action.
Finding the Appropriate Domain Registrar for Your Website
A domain registrar is a company that allows you to register and manage the domain name of your website, making the search for one an overwhelming process. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the more popular registrars to help narrow your selection process down further.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is one of the more well-known domain registrars out there, offering web hosting and website building tools, as well as competitive prices with superior customer support. Unfortunately, their interface may be intimidating to novice users.
Namecheap
Another popular domain registrar offering reasonable pricing and user-friendly tools, Namecheap also provides FREE WHOIS privacy protection for the first year, making them an excellent option for keeping personal information private.
Bluehost
BlueHost is best known as a web hosting provider but also provides domain registration services. They’re an ideal all-in-one solution for your website needs with reasonable pricing and outstanding customer support.
HostGator
Hostgator is another web hosting provider and domain registrar offering competitive prices and an easy user interface, but some have reported difficulties with customer support.
Google Domains
Google Domains is a relatively new entrant to the domain registrar arena but has quickly established itself with its user-friendly interface and transparent pricing structure. Plus, every registration comes equipped with complimentary WHOIS privacy protection
Takeaway
In conclusion, selecting a domain name is not rocket science, but it does require some thought and creativity. Remember to keep it simple, memorable, and straightforward.
Avoid using hyphens, special characters, and numbers if possible. And most importantly, make sure it reflects your brand and what you stand for.
Lastly, while it’s possible to come up with a domain name on your own, getting professional help can make all the difference. Rather than spending hours brainstorming ideas and researching availability, Waterfront Graphic Design can guide you through the process and help you make an informed decision quickly.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the perfect domain name that will help your business thrive online. So go ahead and put your thinking cap on, and get started!
