Deciding on a domain name for your company’s website can impact the visibility and identity of its brand. A domain name is essentially your website's address and it's the first thing that people will see when they search for you online.

With that said, here we will explore some helpful and insightful tips along with strategies for choosing the best domain name for your website. Let’s get right into it!

K.I.S.S.

Ah yes, the classic phrase, “Keep it simple, stupid!” always coming in handy. Your domain should be easy to remember and type out. Whenever possible, avoid complicated words, hyphens or numbers that can make it difficult to remember. Ideally, a domain name should be 15 characters or less. Especially if you set up a custom business email address.

When in doubt, think of radio advertising. Not because your business has to market this way, but as a litmus test. If, hypothetically, someone heard your ad in the car, would your website’s domain be simple enough to say out loud and memorable enough to the listener?

Use Keywords Relevantly and Wisely

There was a time when including exact match keywords in your domain name was considered vital for search engine rankings. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Be mindful, however, as using too many keywords can make your domain name look spammy or affect your credibility.

Make sure your domain name still sounds natural and relevant to your business or brand. For example, a local business may use a geographical name or term in its domain to keep it both original and relevant to customers. You could also opt to use your company’s slogan or tagline to enhance its brand.

Research Your Company’s Name

A common mistake business owners make is filing for a company name before checking to actually see if the domain they want is available. Before signing any paperwork, run a simple search engine query of your desired business name to see what populates. You may find unfavorable results appear or another brand already exists with established rankings that will cause you more work to compete with.

Furthermore, while rare, using a domain name already trademarked could lead to legal issues and headaches. If you’re ever unsure, search for trademarks through the United States Patent and Trademark Office or consult with a reputable attorney who specializes in this area.

Consider Domain Extensions

Since the dot com boom over two decades ago, the .com extension (also known as a top-level domain) notoriously became associated with all websites. Presently, however, the landscape is much different. If your desired dot com domain is already taken, there are fortunately other options.

Extensions, such as .net, .co, .io, and plenty of others are fine choices. Just because your domain isn’t a dot com, doesn’t mean it has to lose all credibility. Having a professionally designed website makes all the difference and will instantly qualm any questions or hesitations a new site visitor may have.

Choosing the Best Domain Name For You

A great analogy for domains is that they’re virtual real estate. Anyone can acquire one if it’s available to register or for sale by another owner. Sometimes you may need more than one domain, which the power of redirects can be used.

Are you still searching for that perfect domain name, need help finding one or just unsure where to start? We have you covered! Get in touch with us and we’ll help navigate you through the process from domain registration to custom business email addresses and everything in between!