When creating a business or launching a brand, it’s important to remember that first impressions are everything. A considerable part of that is your business name and, by extension, your domain name. Choosing something memorable that leaves an impression with users is essential to getting your brand out there. While there are no exact rules for domain name creation, there are some best practices. So this article will give you some essential tips for creating a great domain name.
Before we dive into that, remember to only buy your domain from a reputable domain registrar, such as Spaceship.
Research the competition
Check out what the successful brands in your niche are doing. You’ll likely notice a trend in the type of domain names they’re using, as well as any keywords. Whether that be simply using the brand name or adding other words relevant to your niche. You can see what keywords work for them and what’s already in use so that you can generate unique ideas for your own domain and avoid being accused of copying or stealing a trademark.
Keep it short and simple
Brevity is key when it comes to domain names. With anything too long and complicated, you run the risk of users searching for your site, misspelling it and ending up in the wrong place, which is the last thing you want when trying to build an online presence. Try to stick to two or three words and keep them uncomplicated and easy to spell. You should also avoid numbers, hyphens, or dashes, and double check spelling before you commit.
See more about Must-Have Mobile Apps for Small Business
Choose the right domain extension
A .com top-level domain (TLD) is the classic go-to for professional websites. For many sites that is the ideal option, but there are so many exciting and unique options available that could help make your domain more memorable and establish branding. For example, certain TLDs have become quite popular in particular niches. For e-commerce sites, .store is a great option, while .me is excellent for freelancer and portfolio sites. If you’re a non-profit, .org is generally the way to go, while academic institutions often use .edu.
We previously mentioned the importance of keywords, and the cool thing is that you can also use them in your domain extension. More and more specific TLDs, such as .photography, .coffee, and .menu, become available daily. You could also go for a country-specific TLD, such as .us or .co.uk. Sometimes geographic TLDs require you to prove your location, so make sure to look into that beforehand.
And if you’d ideally like a .com but it’s unavailable, popular and reputable alternatives include .net, .biz, .xyz, .site, and .co.
