When creating a website, one of the most important decisions you will make in the process is choosing a domain name. Your domain is the address to your website, so this is not a step to take lightly. Your domain name can make or break your business and negatively impact your reputation. If you choose the wrong name for your business, it could hurt the success rate of your website. Also, changing your domain once it is set is not an easy process and can have many negative ramifications, so it’s best to put the time in to choose the best domain name for your website out of the gate and not later on down the road.
Your domain name can be considered to be as important as your brand name and logo. Your domain might be one of the first things your audience will see, so it’s crucial that you make a good first impression. Needless to say, this can be a challenging step, so we have compiled some tips to help guide you through this process.
#1. Keeping your domain name short and simple will make it easier for your audience to remember. You don’t want anything to be long and complicated, and you want to stay away from hyphens and underscores. Ensuring that your domain name is easy to spell and pronounce is also crucial, especially since it will be shared through word of mouth, not always on paper or screen.
#2. When you can stick with a .com extension. Nowadays, plenty of domain name extensions are available, including niche extensions. Unfortunately, many of these niche extensions may be hard to remember and can look gimmicky. So, stick with a trusted extension, like .com, which is the most widely used and recognized.
#3. Don’t go for a generic URL. Instead, choose one that is brandable and creative. Generic keywords are likely to be used elsewhere, forcing you to use a different extension. You want your domain name to stand out and be memorable. Not be one of many. You want your domain to be brandable and unique.
#4. Using a domain name generator can help give you the inspiration you need if you are stuck. Coming up with the perfect name, one that isn’t already taken, can be a time-consuming process. There are many available on the web to help. You just need to input your defined keywords and let the generator help simplify the process for you.
#5. Coming up with a few ideas is smart since the domain name generator may not tell you if it is already used or not. Once you have come up with a few ideas, check to see if they are already used or trademarked. You don’t want to use one that has been used already since you want to build familiarity with your brand or business. Not take on someone else’s. You also want to ensure you stay away from trademarked names to help avoid any potential legal issues.
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