10 Tips To Take the Pain Out of Picking a Domain Name

Is the task of picking an attractive name for your WFH business keeping you up at night?

You’re not alone, and it is not easy. There are just too many choices! .com vs. .io domain, simple vs. quirky, descriptive vs. brandable are all confusing options. If you find yourself asking how to pick a name for my business, we have ten tips you can use. So, let’s dive in.

Woman typing domain name on laptop

1. Decide on the Domain Name Extension

An extension follows the name of a website. .com is a popular top-level domain (TLD). If you can’t get your hands on that, there are other options including .org, .net, .biz, .net, .us, .co, and .io domain suffixes.

These extensions have little impact on SEO but will affect sales, so choose wisely.

2. Use the Right Keywords

Titles and descriptions don’t need keywords. Search engines will use this name to determine your business type and rank you. You should include keywords in the name; this way, people know what your product or service is. Content and keywords should go hand-in-hand. Google’s keyword planner can help you find words to describe your content. This tool allows search-volume-based keyword research.

3. Keep the Name Short

You don’t want to risk typing errors or name theft because you chose a complex name. It further helps to:

  • Make it memorable;
  • Build your branding and solidify the company’s identity;
  • Keep it mobile-friendly.

Long alternatives aren’t great for business. They’re hard to replicate with accuracy, which leads to worsening internet visibility and success.

4. Check Whether It Is Available

Domain names are just as tricky as email addresses. The good ones are already taken! So, verify the availability to avoid trademark infringement. If another company started using the name before you did, it’s senior. You may lose your website, go to jail, or be fined. A quick Google search will avoid all these possibilities. Alternatively, you can use a domain name checker to verify the availability.

5. Branding: Do It Right

With all of these considerations, it can be difficult to come up with a unique name that expresses your business clearly and concisely while remaining distinctive. However, it is possible. Don’t lose sight of the brand and the products or services offered, and focus on your niche to ensure whatever you choose draws the right kind of traffic.

6. It’s OK to Get Location-Specific

“Location-based domains” are URLs with geo-specific suffixes. They direct the audience and boost your company’s credibility. Having a location-specific domain name can boost website visitor numbers. The location-specific suffixes increase SEO and local website visibility. The audience can connect and communicate more easily, reducing confusion.

7. Don’t Interchange Hyphens and Numbers

Avoid using hyphens and numbers in names. They’re not only misunderstood, but they’re also a distraction. When utilizing numbers, users may be unsure whether to type or spell. Using 6 as an example may confuse users. A name containing hyphens adds complexity, increasing the chance of a visitor forgetting it.

8. Choose Between Descriptive vs. Brandable

Brandable names don’t mention your products or services. These include invented words, reinterpreted terminology, jokes, and historical persons. Brandable options can be distinctive and catchy without deviating from the brand’s offerings or mission. They evoke emotions in clients, and they don’t have to be descriptive; great products make a household name either way.

Descriptive options, on the other hand, describe a company’s products or services. The name General Motors describes the business. Customers will know what the company does instantly. They lack brandability; thus, they’re less memorable. When choosing a descriptive or brandable name, consider the company’s marketing strategy, growth potential, and audience. Trademarkable names are suitable as trademarks and names.

9. Flexibility Is Key

When choosing a name, flexibility is critical. Specificity may help the firm get clients, but it may hinder expansion. IbakeCakes is a beautiful cake blog name. The address will be wrong if the blog covers other baked items, though. Consider the website’s or business’s growth before choosing a name. It shouldn’t be a restricting factor.

10. Act in Time

Domain names are in high demand, and they sell quickly. Fortunately, they aren’t prohibitively expensive, so grab your favorites while you can. Domain registrars will assist you in finding the appropriate domain name if you’re having difficulty locating an available name.

Don’t wait until it’s too late – check for your domain name today.

Get Domain & Hosting at one place with Namecheap!

Final Plan-of-Action

Domain names serve as virtual addresses. They have the power to substantially alter how a visitor views a company. Cats.com was once a popular one-hit wonder in the early days of the internet, but many others like it are now taken up. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with a memorable domain name for your brand-new website. Use the tips for choosing a domain name mentioned above and get your WFH business to thrive in no time.

Pam Wiselogel
Pam Wiselogel

Hi, I'm Pam! A corporate girl turned entrepreneur who has been working from home for over 20 years and loving it. From a corporate IT Director to an online business owner, I found success while working remotely (sometimes in my PJs). I've been able to find balance in life and career and love to share what I've learned with others. With my master's degree in software engineering and a career in technology, my drive is to help others learn how to bypass the hurdles and technology challenges to gain the confidence to build the dream business they've always wanted to reach financial freedom. My work has been quoted on Forbes, Bloomberg, European Business Review, Hive, and Business Partner Magazine to name a few. Click my little head above to read all of my posts!

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