Your Go-To Guide To Pick A Punchy Domain Name That Will Stand The Test of Time
Choosing a domain name isn’t a big deal, right? It’s not that important…
Said no one ever!
As a business owner, choosing the right domain name is probably one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when building your website.
In the past you might have heard people say, “It’s fine, you can just change it later” or “if you have a good quality business, people will visit no matter what”, but the truth is, your domain is one of the key elements that make up your site.
So getting it right early on is crucial.
So, Why is Your Domain Name so Important?
First off, your domain name is your brand’s first impression.
And your URL is the first thing people will type into their browser. That’s why learning how to pick a domain name that will fit and grow with your brand is incredibly important.
Not to mention, your choice of domain can actually affect your SEO (Search Engine Optimisation.) That means Google can pick up any keywords in your URL and rank you higher in the search results.
Does all this make you want to learn how to pick a domain name that supports your brand?
If the answer is YES, then keep on reading!
1. Use The Right Domain Name Extensions (.au .com .uk etc.)
According to a study from Domain Name Stat, 37% of all domains have the .com extension.
That’s because .com is a TLD (Top Level Domain) and it’s the most widely recognised domain extension.
But don’t worry if .com is not available. Country specific is good too. For example, you can clearly see as an Australian Web Developer I opted for the .com.au domain.
It’s mostly about what’s available to you and what your budget is. You can read more about it in detail in my blog post HERE.
NOTE: .org is generally for non-profit organisations. And try to avoid those uncommon extensions like “.wine” or “.pizza”
2. The Shorter, The Better
Here’s another stat for you…
According to research by Data Genetics, the most common name length is 12 characters.
Remember, it needs to be memorable, and that’s why shorter is always better.
Aim for around 6 to 14 characters. You might find some of the shorter domain names were taken a LONG time ago. But if you can’t find something short, then make it brandable instead.
3. Make Sure It’s Easy To Pronounce and Type
As quickly as your domain name rolls off the tips of your fingers, it should roll off the tip of your tongue!
Having a domain you can actually say aloud makes it easier for visitors to share your domain name by word-of-mouth.
If you’re unsure whether your domain is easy to pronounce, hand it to your friends and family and ask them to read it aloud. If they struggle, then you know you need to simplify it.
4. Avoid Hyphens And Numbers
This might be obvious but hyphens and numbers generally don’t go well with domain names.
You want your brand to be one of a kind.
NOT a variation of something else.
For example, shannon-payne-174.com.au just doesn’t look as good as shannonpayne.com.au. And it’s definitely not as memorable or easy to say, right?
5. Consider Using “Niche” Keywords That Reflect Your Website
Don’t underestimate the power of keywords in your domain name.
It can give your SEO a boost (if it’s used naturally) and it also helps people identify what you do too.
BONUS TIP: Check if it’s trademarked or already used by using THIS website.
I hope you’ve found this information useful, and you now have a better understanding of how to pick a domain name that will represent your brand and stand the test of time.
If you ever need any advice on anything website related or want to take the next step and create a custom WordPress website, then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
I’m always happy to answer any questions you have!
