Selecting a domain name that attracts visitors is not as simple as it seems to be. There are several constraints associated, which if followed helps you in getting that perfect domain name for your website. The name of your website usually ends up creating a brand for you. So, you must be very careful while selecting one for yourself or your business. Moreover, with the Internet expanding itself by every passing day, it’s very difficult to get a domain name of your choice.
In this post, I will guide you in selecting a domain name that not just attracts visitors but is also perfect from the search engine algorithm’s point of view. Following are the 10 smart tips that will help you in selecting a perfect domain name for your website.
#1 Use Keywords
Making use of keywords in your domain name is one of the primary constraints while selecting a domain name for your website. However, this constraint can be overridden if you are getting a domain for your business. During such times, it is highly recommended to select a domain same as that of your business name.
On the other hand, people looking to start some niche websites, it’s highly recommended to use some keyword which is closely associated with the things they are going to mention in their website. Although, according to the recent Google updates, it’s not firmly necessary to have keyword in your domain name, but it’s still highly recommended to have one in your domain name.
#2 Keep it Short
Your domain URL should be short enough to remember. It’s often seen that domain names with long domain names often get mistyped or misspelled. Hence, try making your website URL simple, understandable and short.
#3 Make it Easy to Type
Your domain name must be simple crisp and easy for a layman to type. Avoid using slangs or other high-tech words in your domain name. Understand that over a period of time when your website/blog will be stated recognized, people will be typing your domain name directly in their web browsers. So, to avoid any “not found” errors in future, make your domain name easy to type.
#4 Targeting your Region
This tip explicitly goes for the people purchasing a domain name for their business. If your business is restricted to some particular area, it’s highly recommended to select a domain name that has your region name in it. For example: newyorkcasinos.com. By doing this you’re not just helping users understand your location but also helping search engines to get you ranked for that particular area.
#5 Avoid Numbers and Hyphens
Usually you can use numbers and hyphens in your domain name and people usually do it if they do not get a particular domain name they are searching for. However, it’s recommended to avoid buying a domain name with numbers and hyphens in it as in future when people get to hear about your domain, they will not know whether the name has a number 8 or word eight in your URL. Same goes with the hyphens. Hence, avoid using numbers and hyphens in your domain name.
#6 Get a Catchy Domain Name
There are innumerable websites on the Internet with fancy domain names. Having a fancy or catchy domain name ensures that people remember your website and visit you more often. Another reason for having a catchy domain name is once you get ranked in the search engines, the probability of people clicking your link increases if they get to see some good domain name. Hence, ensure that you get a domain name that’s memorable.
#7 Copyrights and Trademarks
With a very small dictionary available compared to the overall size of the Internet and the world, it’s very difficult to find a unique name. If you are purchasing a domain name for your business, make sure that the name you use has no copyrights or trademarks associated with it. Ending up buying such a domain will not just land you up in some legal mess but will also cost you a fortune as well as your domain.
#8 Domain Name Extensions
Domain names often come with extensions like .com, .net, .org, etc. You must understand what these extensions symbolize and buy domain names accordingly. Following list explains what each extension symbolizes:
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• .net: technical or networking related site
• .info: informative sites
• .org: organizational sites
• .gov: government sites (should be avoided unless you have proper authentication)
• .co: company sites
• .biz: business sites
• .me: personal sites often used for blogs, resumes
#9 Protect your Brand
If you’re a renowned brand, you must ensure to buy domain names with all the possible extensions available. Buying domains with all extensions ensure you that no one tries to use your brand name apart from you. Along with all extensions it is also recommended to buy misspelled domains for your domains thus ruling out any further possibility of competitors.
#10 Act Fast
With thousand hundreds of new domain names getting registered every day, you must act fast with the domain name you like. It cannot be guaranteed that the domain name you find available now can be available after a mere hour. So act fast. Register your domain names now!
With several domain name providers available, the one which I recommend would be Godaddy. One of the leading service providers in domain name registration and hosting services, Godaddy also provides 24×7 customer support to help you in every possible way. I have been using their service for more than 2 years now and haven’t faced any problem till date. Hence, I strongly recommend you to buy your domain name and hosting from Godaddy.
Do you think there are any other tips one must follow while buying a domain name? If yes, please do share them in the comments below.
