Choosing the right domain name is a big deal. It’s the first impression people get of your brand online and can have a real impact on your website’s success. A great domain name is more than just a web address. It’s a tool for standing out and growing your business. If you’re wondering how to pick the perfect website address, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get into what makes a domain name work and how it can help with your online presence.
How to choose a domain name
Keep it short and sweet
When you’re choosing a domain name, shorter is usually better. A short and simple website address is easier for people to remember and type into the browser. The last thing you want is a long, complicated web address that your customers can’t recall or spell correctly. Aim for something catchy, clear, and easy to type.
If you can, try to keep your domain name to around 10 to 15 characters. This keeps it easy for your audience to share with others, especially when they’re talking about your site on social media or recommending you to a friend.
Make it brandable and memorable
A domain name should reflect your brand. Think about what you want to communicate to your audience. If you’re running a fun, creative business, maybe a quirky domain name works. If you’re more professional, your domain name might want to communicate trust and reliability.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s memorable. You want your audience to remember your site easily. If they can’t recall your domain name, they’ll struggle to visit your site again. So, be clever, and come up with a name that sticks!
Use relevant keywords
Including relevant keywords in your domain name is a great way to help with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). For example, if you’re a web design company in Sydney, a website address like “SydneyWebDesigns.com.au” is more likely to show up in search engine results when people search for web design in Sydney.
However, avoid going overboard with keywords. You don’t need to stuff your domain with a bunch of phrases. Keep it natural and make sure it still makes sense to your audience.
Make sure it’s easy to pronounce
This one might seem simple, but it’s important! If your domain name is hard to pronounce, people may have trouble telling others about your website. Whether it’s for word-of-mouth recommendations or a phone conversation, a domain that’s easy to pronounce can go a long way.
Think of it like this: if someone were to hear your domain name over the phone, would they be able to spell it out? If not, you might want to rethink your choice.
Check for availability
Before you get too attached to a website address, make sure it’s available. You don’t want to get all excited about a name only to find out it’s already taken. It’s easy to check domain name availability using various online tools or registrars.
If your ideal name is taken, don’t give up just yet. You can get creative with slight variations of your desired domain name. Add a word, change a letter, or use a different extension like .net, .co, or .io.
Keep it simple with extensions
When choosing a domain name, you’ll also need to decide on the domain extension. The most popular extension is .com, but there are plenty of other options out there, like .au, .nz, .net, .org, .co, and more.
If you’re targeting a specific country or region, you might want to go with a country-code extension, like .au for Australia or .nz for New Zealand. This can help show your audience that you’re based in their location, and it can help with local SEO.
For example, if you’re running a business in Australia, you might opt for a .com.au extension. This gives people the sense that you’re a local business they can trust, and search engines may prioritise your website for local searches.
Make it future-proof
Think about your business now, but also think about where you want to take it in the future. A domain name that perfectly fits your business today may not work in the future as your business grows or changes.
For example, if you’re starting a bakery, you might want to avoid a name that’s too specific to cakes or cupcakes. A broader domain name like “TastyTreats.com” might give you more flexibility if you decide to expand your product range later on.
Check for trademarks
Once you’ve come up with a few domain names, it’s time to check if they’re already trademarked. You don’t want to pick a name that could cause legal trouble down the road.
To avoid any issues, do a quick search of your preferred domain name to see if it’s already in use as a trademark. If it is, it’s best to find something else to avoid any potential disputes.
Get creative with it
If the perfect website address feels out of reach, don’t be afraid to get creative. Play with words, make up new words, or combine different words together to create a unique name.
For example, a combination of your brand’s name and a catchy word can result in something completely original and memorable. Just be sure it’s still easy to spell and pronounce!
Why your domain name matters for SEO
When it comes to SEO, your domain name plays a role, but it’s not everything. While having relevant keywords in your website address can help with search engine rankings, there are other important factors like content, backlinks, and overall site structure.
That said, choosing a domain name that aligns with your brand and your target audience can give you a head start. A memorable website address can also increase the chances of people visiting your site and sharing it with others.
Let us help you with your domain name and website
At Boost My Business, we can help you with the entire process, from choosing the right domain name to setting up your website. We offer web design, hosting, and marketing services to make sure your website works hard for you. After your website is launched, we can continue helping you with SEO, Google Ads, social media, and more.
Choosing the right domain name is just the beginning. Let us handle the rest, so you can focus on growing your business.
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