The domain name is your business’s identity on the Internet.  It communicates your business information to visitors as well as search engines. Choosing the right domain name requires a lot of thought and consideration. You want to make sure you choose a name that not only fits your business but is also easy to find. Here is a beginners’ guide on selecting the best domain name which can help to reach your desired business objectives.

Let’s consider the following factors and learn how to come up with a good domain name for your website:

Consider a branded domain name

A perfect domain name must be brandable (i.e) it should be capable of being easily marketable without much effort. A domain name is deserved to be called brandable when it is unique and stands out from the crowd. It must be simple and must directly relate to or represent the nature of your business and is advisable to exclude the use of symbols.

Another factor to be considered is that it should be simple, specific, and short. Easy to remember domain names makes the chances of visibility go high. It is also important to keep in mind that the domain name must be pronounceable.

You should be able to easily share your domain name when speaking as well as writing

Tell a few of your friends your potential domain name and ask them to spell it. If more than a few people struggle to spell it, you need to simplify it.

The lesson here is simple: make it easy for your customers to find you!

Go for an appropriate domain name extension

Extensions are suffixes, such as .com or .net, at the end of web addresses. These can have specific uses, so make sure to choose one that works for your business.

Use of correct domain name extensions: “.com” is always the best and most preferred domain name extension because of its familiarity and simplicity. In case of unavailability of “.com” move on to choosing “.net” or “.org”.

If you are running a local business or targeting local customers, it is advisable to go with demographic extensions such as .com.my for Malaysia, com.sg for Singapore, etc.

If you running a business in Malaysia, having it as.com.my has certain advantages when it comes to search engines, a.my domain name will rank higher when a user in Malaysia searches for your company online.

Be creative rather than generic

Have an innovative domain name that makes your website look like a Lion and not a sheep in a herd. A unique domain name helps people to pay attention to it.

You can get help from numerous tools to create new catchy names on your own.  Check out the domain name generators such as Nameboy, or DomainHole which assist you in creating a unique and brandable name for your website.

Every winning domain name has always been able to be intuitive. As soon as an individual looks up at your domain name and says, “It is about such and such business….” there you go! You managed to let others get a strong idea about your business in the first instance.

While creating a flawless domain name it should be ensured that it is not subject to any possibilities of infringement risks. If ignored, this can turn into a serious issue.

Incorporate  keywords

Search engines use your domain name to understand what your site is about. Keywords in your domain name can help your website rank higher in search engines like Google. Also, the use of keywords in the domain name aids with the cognitive fluency biases of the users. The keywords you choose for your domain name should be relevant to your business.

For example, if you provide air conditioner repair services, include the keyword “aircon” in your domain name. Or, if you are selling watches, include the word “watches” in your domain name.

Research

The Internet is home to more than 1.3 billion websites. There’s a good chance that your domain name, however unique and creative it may sound, has already been taken. That’s why it’s important to research. How one may research:

Step 1 – Check for availability there are online domain checkers tools available.

Step 2 – Check if it’s NOT Trademarked.

Step 3 – It’s always a good idea to check social networks for the same domain name. To keep your site name constant and build your brand, and secure them as well.

        For example: check facebook.com/yourdomain, Instagram/yourdomain

Consider long-term effects

Investing in a domain name is a matter of huge attention and caution, hence before you pick a domain name, consider the benefits it will derive in the long run. Short-term goals should not dominate in the process of choosing a domain name rather it should be your long-term vision that should influence and drive that decision.

Changing your domain name in the future can lead to various complications. Therefore, ensure that you choose the best domain name at the beginning itself considering all the factors mentioned, and make the name as effective as possible. We hope that these tips help you to settle on the perfect domain name for your website.

Act Fast

If you have found a domain name that you like, then don’t wait too long. Who knows, someone else may take away your perfect domain name if do not act fast.

If you’re currently considering a few domain name ideas for your business, and want to brainstorm, you can share them in the comments. We’d love to hear from you and help. We offer services like website design and content writing, all engineered to give you a boost up on the competition.

Good Luck to establish your unique identity on the web!

How to choose a domain name – Part 1

How to choose a domain name – Part 2