By Owen Fay . Posted on December 8, 2022“Your domain name is your identity on the web. It’s how you are found and it’s what you and your website are known as. So choosing the right domain name is important, both for your business and for your SEO.” – Neil Patel
Your website’s name is important! It’s how users will search for your business and one of the first things they see when they find your business.
Your website must reflect professionalism and the business. the name must fit the service you offer and the interface should be easy to navigate.
Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect name for your website:
How To Choose A Name For Your Website: The Basics
1. Keep it short and simple
The shorter and simpler your domain name is, the easier it will be for people to remember and type it. So try to keep it under 15 characters and avoid using hyphens or numbers if possible.
2. Make it relevant to your business
Your domain name should be relevant to your business and give people an idea of what you do. For example, if you sell flowers, you could include the word flowers in your domain name.
3. Use keywords
Including keywords in your domain name can help people find your website more easily. For example, if you sell flowers, you could use the keyword buy flowers in your domain name.
4. Avoid trademarked terms
You should avoid using trademarked terms in your domain name unless you have permission from the trademark holder. Otherwise, you could be sued for trademark infringement.
5. Be unique
There are millions of websites out there, so you need to make sure your domain name is unique. Otherwise, people might have difficulty finding your site.
6. Use relevant Top Level Domains (TLDs)
The domain extension you choose (like .com, .net, or .org) should be relevant to your business. For example, if you sell flowers, you could use the .com domain.
7. Avoid using hyphens
Hyphens can make it difficult for people to remember your domain name, so try to avoid using them if possible.
8. Avoid using numbers
Numbers can also make it difficult for people to remember your domain name, so try to avoid using them if possible.
9. Be careful with new TLDs
There are hundreds of new domain extensions (like .club, .xyz, and .blog) that have been released in recent years. While these can be interesting and unique, be careful with them as they might not be as recognizable as the more traditional extensions.
10. Get creative
There are no rules when it comes to domain names, so feel free to be creative! Just make sure that your domain name is still relevant to your business and easy to remember.
11. Brainstorm with friends or family
If you’re having trouble coming up with a domain name, try brainstorming with friends or family. They might be able to give you some good ideas.
12. Use a domain name generator
If you’re still stuck, there are plenty of domain name generators (like this one) that can help you come up with a unique and relevant domain name.
13. Test your new domain name
Choosing a domain name can be important for a company that is emerging or rebranding. Once you create a shortlist of domain names and know that they are available test them with your target users. Poll the People lets you test domain names in minutes, to find the one that works best for your business.
All you have to do is choose two of your domain names and present them to your audience through our user panel and platform. The participants will see the options and choose the one that they think fits your brand. From there you can analyze the data and find a domain name that will work for your business.
14. Register your domain name
Once you’ve found the perfect domain name, make sure to register it as soon as possible. If you wait too long, someone else might snatch it up!
How To Choose A Name For Your Website: Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Do not choose a name that is too similar to another website or business. This can create confusion and damage your reputation.
- Avoid using made-up words or terms that are difficult to spell or pronounce. This will make it harder for people to find and remember your website.
- Avoid using numbers or hyphens in your domain name. These can be difficult for people to remember and can make your website look less professional.
- Avoid negative or offensive words in your domain name. This could reflect poorly on your business and make it difficult for people to take you seriously.
- Stay away from abbreviations or acronyms in your domain name. These can be difficult for people to remember and can make your website seem less professional.
- Don’t use generic terms in your domain name. These can be difficult to rank in search engines and will make it harder for people to find your website.
- Avoid using hard-to-spell words in your domain name. This can make it difficult for people to find your website and can damage your reputation.
How To Choose A Name For Your Website: Trademark Considerations
Firstly, check to see if the proposed name is available as a domain name. You can do a quick search on a site like GoDaddy or Network Solutions.
If the name is available, you should then check to see if it is available as a trademark. You can do a search on the USPTO website.
If the name is available as a domain name and as a trademark, you should then check to see if it is being used by another business. You can do a search on Google.
If the name is available and not being used by another business, you should then check to see if it is being used by a non-profit organization. You can do a search on the IRS website.
If the name is available and not being used by another business or non-profit organization, you should then check to see if it is being used by a government entity. You can do a search on the government website.
How To Choose A Name For Your Website: Changing Your Domain name
When you’re starting out, it’s normal to feel unsure about your domain name. You may not be sure what you want your website to be called, or you may change your mind after you’ve already registered a domain name.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry, it’s easy to change your domain name.
There are two main ways to change your domain name.
- Register a new domain name and redirect your old domain name to the new one.
If you decide to register a new domain name, the process is pretty straightforward. Just go to a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap and search for the new domain name you want. Once you’ve found an available domain, add it to your cart and checkout.
Once you have your new domain name, you’ll need to set up a redirect from your old domain to the new one.
This can usually be done in your old registrar’s control panel. Just look for the Domain forwarding or Redirects section and add a forwarding rule for your old domain to the new one.
- Transfer your domain name to a new registrar.
The other option for changing your domain name is to transfer it to a new registrar. This process is a little more complicated, but it can sometimes be cheaper in the long run. To transfer your domain, you’ll need to first unlock it at your current registrar.
Then, you’ll get an authorization code from them, which you’ll need to provide to the new registrar.
Once you have your authorization code, you can start the transfer process at the new registrar. They’ll walk you through the steps, which usually involve entering the code and confirming your contact information. Once the transfer is complete, your domain will be registered with the new registrar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is my target audience?
Your domain name should be reflective of your target audience. If you’re targeting a specific group of people, like businesses or parents, try to come up with a name that speaks to them directly. For example, if you’re starting a website for busy parents, you might want to consider a domain like “busyparents.com” or “parentingontherun.com”.
What keywords do I want to target?
Your domain name should also be reflective of the keywords you want to target. If you’re not sure what keywords you want to target, try thinking about the terms people would use to search for your website.
What kind of tone do I want to set?
Your domain name can also set the tone for your website. If you want your website to have a fun and friendly tone, you might want to consider a whimsical domain name. However, if you want your website to be seen as professional and credible, you’ll want to choose a domain name that sounds more serious.
Is the domain name available?
Once you’ve come up with a few domain name ideas, the next step is to check and see if they’re available. You can do this by searching for the domain name on a domain name registrar like GoDaddy. If the domain name is available, you’ll be able to register it and start building your website.
Does the domain name have any negative connotations?
Before you register a domain name, it’s important to do a bit of research to make sure it doesn’t have any negative connotations.
Does the domain name represent my brand?
Your domain name should represent your brand in a positive way. It should be reflective of your brand’s values and what you’re hoping to achieve with your website.
Is the domain name available in the country I’m targeting?
If you’re targeting a specific country with your website, you’ll want to make sure the domain name you choose is available in that country. For example, if you’re starting a website for the United Kingdom, you’ll want to make sure the “.uk” version of your domain name is available.
Can I get the “.com” version of my domain name?
The “.com” version of a domain name is the most popular and is often seen as the most credible. If you can get the “.com” version of your domain name, it’s a good idea to register it. However, if the “.com” version of your domain name is not available, you can still register the “.net” or “.org” version.
Should I use a domain name generator?
If you’re having trouble coming up with a domain name on your own, you can try using a domain name generator. There are a number of different domain name generators available online, like Namemesh and Panabee. Just enter some keywords related to your website and the generator will come up with a list of potential domain names.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect domain name for your website can be a daunting task, but with the thirteen tips listed above, you can pick a domain name that will help you succeed. Likewise, you can test your domain name options or validate the one you like the most with Poll the People to help you choose the best domain name for your brand.
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