Domain Name Registration is an important part of building a business web site. Selecting the right domain name is important. A good domain name supports your reputation, helps customers to find your business and makes your website easier to remember. You can pick a domain that fits your business today with the right strategy and helps you grow in the future.
1. Start With Your Brand Name
Your Domain Name Registration should be as close to your business name as possible. This also encourages customers to think of your brand when they visit your website.
For example, companies like Google, Amazon and Dropbox use short, distinctive domain names that are easy to remember. Your main keyword doesn’t have to be in the domain all the time.
Create a name that your customers can easily recognize and remember.
2. Keep the Domain Short and Simple
Long domain names are hard to remember and more likely to be mistyped. Keep the domain brief, avoid superfluous words.
For example, greenleafdesign.com is easier to remember than a long name with lots of extra words.
Avoid:
- Complicated spellings
- Long phrases
- Numbers
- Excessive hyphens
- Words that are difficult to pronounce
A simple domain can also make your business appear more professional.
3. Choose the Right Domain Extension
It is the extension of your domain like .com, .in, .net and so on. .com is still a popular choice for businesses as it is familiar to the users across the globe. If you are primarily servicing your customers in India then .in domain name can also be a good choice.
You may also want to consider industry specific extensions if they are a good fit for your business. But select an extension that is easy for your customers to remember and understand.
4. Check Availability and Trademarks
Confirm the availability of your desired domain before completing your Domain Name Registration. Check also for existing businesses and trademarks with a similar name.
A domain being available doesn’t mean you’re free to use the name commercially. A name that is trademarked by another company could land you in legal trouble down the line.
Be sure to verify your desired name before registering it.
5. Think About Future Growth
If your plans change, your domain shouldn’t limit your business.
For example, a company that sells only one product today might expand in the future to sell products in many categories. As the business grows, a very specific domain may be less appropriate.
Select a name broad enough to encompass future products, services, locations or markets.
6. Consider Premium and Expired Domains
Sometimes the domain you want is already in use. It is also available for sale as a premium domain via a domain marketplace.
Premium domains can be expensive, but a short memorable name can offer great branding value.
Another choice is expired domains. But check their history out before you buy. Verify that the domain was previously used for spam, harmful content, or shady SEO practices.
“Don’t just buy an expired domain because it has existing backlinks.
7. Protect Your Domain
Make sure that your decision on registration includes domain security. Choose one of the popular registrars and set up a unique and strong password for your account.
Try to turn on two-factor authentication. Also available are domain lock features to help prevent unauthorized transfer of the domain.
Another handy feature is the WHOIS privacy. It can also restrict the public availability of a domain record’s registration information, depending on the registrar and privacy laws in place.
Now is the time to secure your account and domain info. This can save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Common Domain Name Mistakes
Good domain names can be ruined by several mistakes.
Choose a name that is easy to spell or pronounce. Do not confuse numbers and unnecessary hyphens. Don’t steal another brand name just because its domain looks successful.
And don’t choose a domain name based only on keywords you want to rank for. Businesses don’t need exact-match keyword domains to build visibility with search engines.
Your brand, your website quality, your useful content, your overall online presence matter a lot more.
Domain Name Checklist
Ask yourself before you register a domain name:
- Is the domain name short and easy to remember?
- Does this fit my brand?
- Is it easy to spell and pronounce?
- Will this extension be useful for my audience?
- I did a conflict check on the trademark.– Is it going to be extended at one point?
- I checked the domain history?
- Do you offer Whois Privacy protection?
- Does the registrar have security features for the domains?
- Have I used other similar domain variations when appropriate?
Conclusion
The best domain name is not always the most creative or the one stuffed with keywords. It should be memorable and on-brand, legally sound, and flexible enough to grow with you.
Do some research on the options available to you before registering your domain. “Don’t hurry.” It’s a smart choice and can be an integral part of your business identity for years to come.