Choosing a perfect domain is not as difficult as it may seem with these handy tips!

“Creating an online presence takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes, people don’t want to invest their time and finances into building a website.”

If you’re not too eager to do it from scratch, you can just find a website for sale and buy it.

On the other hand, if you want to do everything on your own, you need to build a website that will attract traffic, and the first step is to find the perfect domain name. Here are some tips on how you can choose a domain name that can bring you a lot of business.

Why you need a good domain name

Before we actually talk about how to choose a domain name, we need to talk about why it’s so important. You might be thinking that all you need to be successful is a well-built website and a good business.

But if you really believe that’s all you need to bring in people, you are wrong.

Think about your domain name as your website’s home address on the internet. And while it isn’t the only thing that will influence your success, it’s still a factor that shouldn’t be ignored.

Below are some of the reasons why your domain name is so important:

• It can make a great first impression. When people visit your website, the first thing they will notice is your URL. If you want to make a positive first impression, you can do that with a good and memorable domain name. Additionally, if your name is memorable, people are more likely to come back.
• It defines your brand. If you’re looking for a good branding opportunity, look no further than your domain name. If you choose your name carefully, it can significantly increase brand recognition.
• It affects SEO. If you include the right keywords in your domain name, it can drastically influence your SEO rankings. It will give search engines (and visitors) an idea of what your website is and who it’s targeted at.

Now that we’ve established why it’s so important to choose a good domain name, let’s talk about how you can do that.

Use the right domain name extension

When choosing your domain extension, you will be presented with a couple of different possibilities. However, the best choice is always clear – .com. Simply put, people are more likely to remember and have more trust in a website that has a URL that finishes in .com.

According to research, 42.48% of all domains have the .com extension, and choosing it would probably be your safest bet. If .com is unavailable, you can use .net or .org. However, if all of those options are unavailable, it’s time to think of a new domain name.

And while there are some really creative domain extensions, you need to be extra careful. Some websites have a URL that ends in .za, .be, .pizza, .space, and so on. If you came across one of these websites, would you trust it? The answer for most people is a resounding no.

Make it as short as possible

The length of your domain name is also a contributing factor to your website’s success, and in this case, the shorter the better. The most common name length is 12 characters and contains two words. When you’re choosing your domain name, try to have between 6 and 14 characters.

However, it can be hard to choose a short domain name, as most domain names with a small number of characters have been taken for a while now.

Even if you manage to register one, it could cost you thousands of dollars. And there is definitely no need to spend a fortune if you can find a cheap domain name. Sometimes, a low-cost domain name can do wonders for your website.

Here is why you need a shorter domain name:

• Improves user experience. While a long domain name won’t affect your SEO rankings or get you a penalty, it will probably affect the overall user experience. Users seem to trust shorter domain names much more than the long ones.
• More memorable. Shorter names are more memorable and stay in people’s memory much easier than long ones.
• Leaves less room for mistakes. The longer your domain name is, the easier it will be for someone to type it incorrectly. Just one wrong letter and potential visitors will be sent to a completely different website.

Make it brandable

As the word suggests, a brandable domain name sounds like it represents a brand. The opposite would be a generic domain name, which is something you should avoid.

Brandable domain names are unique and stand out from the crowd, while generic ones usually just have a lot of keywords and numbers.

Brandable names are non-keyword names that usually have no specific descriptive meaning. While the name you’ve chosen most likely conveys character or the qualities and values of your brand, it won’t mean anything to an outsider who isn’t familiar with your business.

But what makes a good brandable domain name? Well, there are a few key features:

• Unique and memorable. Your domain name should be completely different from your competition to express your uniqueness, but also easy to remember and recall. Don’t be afraid of creating your own words, either.
• Short. As we’ve already mentioned, it’s better to have a short domain name. If it’s brandable, it will be much easier to register it, as it’s very unlikely someone else thought of the same unique name.
• Easy to read and pronounce. While you can be creative and make up your own words, make sure that it’s easy to read and pronounce.

Use keywords related to your niche

Keywords aren’t a bad thing. In fact, they can do wonders for your SEO if used correctly. If you can’t think of a good brandable domain name, you should consider using a keyword that is closely related to your niche. This way, people will know the purpose of your website.

Keywords play an important role in getting traffic to your website. If a user used a keyword in their search query, they are more likely to click on a domain name that contains that same keyword.

Here are some things you should keep in mind when choosing your keywords:

• Avoid keyword stuffing. This term refers to inserting a large number of keywords to artificially increase a page’s ranking. While some people consider keyword stuffing an SEO technique, most see it as unethical. Not only that, but it’s also ineffective and results in negative user experience.
• Make sure the keywords flow well together. The keywords you use should be words that are often searched, but they should also flow logically. If your keywords make sense, your domain name will be more memorable.
• Use your brand name. You will achieve the best results if you pair up your brand name with a keyword. This isn’t necessary if your brand is already well known, but it is the best alternative to a brandable name.

Research the name you have chosen

Before you register a domain name, you need to check a couple of things. See if the name isn’t already in use, trademarked, and if it’s available on social media websites.

If you’re serious about building your brand, your domain name should be shown identically on the social media sites that can help you promote your business. This makes it easier for customers to find you on the internet, and it also builds familiarity.

Finally, you should check if the name is trademarked, copyrighted or used by another company for legal reasons. If you choose a name that is already in use, not only will it cost you your chosen domain name, but it will also get you into legal trouble. That’s why it’s important to always do your research.