Are you planning to launch a website for your business but are struggling to come up with the right domain name? Changing domain names is not a convenient process, so you will want to get it right the first time around. After all, your companies domain is one of the most important pieces of branding and marketing. It is how your customers will recognize you and find your online presence.
In this article, we will cover a few tips on selecting a great name for your domain.
Choose a Name
There is a very good chance your most preferred domain name has already been registered in today’s domain market. With that in mind, the first step should be to brainstorm any potential names that you could use and/or are related to your company name.
For example, you could combine two words to make your domain name. If you are a data center, that could be exampledc.com. You could even combine your physical location, such as flowersflorida.com, or opt for a catchy domain that rolls off the tongue.
Once you have determined the right name, you can optimize it with the simple steps below:
Avoid Confusion
One of the worst things you can do when choosing a domain name is to make it confusing or complicated. Numbers, hyphens, and/or symbols all contribute to the complexity of your domain name. Ultimately, this can make it difficult for your own customers to locate you.
When it comes to avoiding confusion, do the domain name radio test. The radio test is when someone says your website name, and they need to type it in their browser, but can they easily do that? You might be asking, does anyone even listen to the radio anymore, and while that is a good question, the radio test really applies to many other cases. For example:
- If you or a customer shares your website with someone at a coffee shop
- Word of Mouth referrals (one of the most powerful selling points)
- Podcast coverage
Would your domain pass? If not, the domain name you have chosen is probably not the best to proceed with for your long-term success.
Do Comprehensive Research
Before making the final purchase decision for your perfect domain name, it is important to research that name and even names similar to the one you’re choosing. You want to ensure you are not infringing on anyone’s copyright or trademarks. There is nothing associated with the name or another potentially confusing name that might detract attention from your website or give you dreaded negative publicity.
Once you have found the perfect name, you are ready to proceed with registering the domain before someone else does. Domain names come and go very fast. What is available today might not be available tomorrow, so once you have found the right fit, it is recommended to register it as quickly as possible. Until you have actually launched your website, you can still change it.
