Choosing a suitable domain name can boost your online presence, traffic potential, and search engine ranking. Premium domain names are highly valuable and offer better branding opportunities. Here are ways to choose the best domain name for your new small business:
Keep It Short
A simple domain name is easy to type, reducing the risks of errors when customers try to access your website. When you have a short and memorable domain, customers associate your website with your business name more easily.
A short name also makes it easy for customers to mention your services and products to friends, family, or colleagues. This can help increase traffic and potential customers.
Concise premium domain names are mobile-friendly, allowing users to type and check out your brand on the go. Long and complex domain names can be challenging to type accurately on mobile devices, leading to frustration and potential loss of traffic. A professional and straightforward domain name reflects positively on your new small business’s branding and credibility.
Avoid numbers and hyphens that make your domain longer and more challenging to type. That includes replacing “to” with 2 and “for” or “four” with 4. The use of numbers is acceptable when it is relevant to the event or brand.
For example, a website made for a sports event happening in 2023 could be “worldcup2023.com.” Most people do not assume a domain will have a hyphen in it. If your domain does have a hyphen, it may be harder for your company reputation to be spread by word of mouth.
Utilize Relevant Keywords
Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, such as keywords, make it easier for customers to find your website via different search engines. Use keywords relevant to your small business since customers use key phrases when searching for products and services online. Avoid using too many keywords or creating a domain name that looks like spam since it can harm your brand.
By including relevant keywords in your domain name, you create a direct association between your brand and the products or services you offer. This approach can reinforce your brand’s positioning and make it easier for potential customers to understand your small business and engage with it. Use versatile keywords that can match your growing business in the future.
Secure a Domain Extension
A domain extension or top-level domain is the suffix at the end of your business’s domain name. Take advantage of .com extensions that users are accustomed to and type them automatically when trying to find a website. When you secure a .com extension, it may help boost your business’s professionalism, authoritativeness, and legitimacy.
If your business operates in a specific country, use that country’s domain extension to foster local relevance and local SEO. You can also choose other domain extensions, such as .net, .org, .co, .biz, .info, or .me, depending on your industry. Search the extension on reputable domain registrar websites to check their availability and price.
Register Domain Variations
By registering domain variations, you can protect your brand from cybersquatters who want to steal traffic from your online business. In many cases, cybersquatters purchase domain names similar to established brands to profit from the brand’s credibility or cause confusion among customers. Invest in similar domain names alongside other extensions with your domain name, such as .net, .biz, and .org, to maintain autonomy over your brand.
Owning similar domain variations can help you avoid legal disputes with competitors who attempt to register domains that infringe on your brand’s trademark. You can use different domains for specific purposes, such as tracking marketing efforts, creating landing pages, or running promotional campaigns. If your business plans to expand its product or service offerings, registering relevant domain variations can save you from domain acquisition costs in the future.
Prioritize Your Branding
Choosing a domain that incorporates your brand name or aligns with it may help facilitate brand recognition. A domain name that matches your brand boosts consistency across your website, social media profiles, email addresses, and marketing materials. The coherence can strengthen your brand’s image and makes it easier for customers to locate and interact with your small business.
A distinct and brand-focused domain name sets your business apart from competitors, potentially allowing you to maintain existing customers and attract new ones. Choose a domain name showcasing your products or services, your target audience, and your business’s value proposition to boost branding.
Do Not Use Trademarks
A trademark is a word, sign, symbol, or phrase that distinguishes your brand from another. If something is trademarked, then you cannot legally use that word, symbol, or phrase. A trademark is considered intellectual property.
When choosing a domain name, thoroughly check that it is not already trademarked. There are online databases you can use to search to ensure you are not breaking any laws.
You can still get in a lot of legal trouble even if you chose a trademarked name by accident. Besides, using a trademarked domain will not help your business in the long run.
Choose an Easy Spelling
If potential customers can’t spell your domain name, then you are missing out on a lot of business. If you are an eye doctor, for example, do not choose “ophthalmologistindenver.com” as your domain. Choose something simpler to spell like “eyedoctor.com” or “eyedoc.com.”
Tell your friends and family the potential name of your website without spelling it out. If they can easily guess how to spell your domain name, then that name may work well for your business. If a customer can’t spell the domain, they will not easily remember your business either.
Find Premium Domain Names for Your Business
Premium domain names are memorable, catchy, simple, and contain high-value keywords. These elements help elevate your business and boost online visibility. They are unique, making them more marketable and brandable. Choose a trusted domain registrar to facilitate smooth registration and management of your domain. Some registrars offer domain transfer support to help you incorporate current branding into your new domain name.
