Picking the right domain name for your website is extremely important. If you’re using the wrong domain name, it could be difficult to change it later without harming your brand or search rankings.
That is why it is crucial that you select the right domain name from the onset.
When you’re just starting out, it could be difficult to come up with catchy business name ideas which mostly function as a domain name.
In this article, we will go over all of the resources and advice you do need to generate domain name ideas, select the right domain name, as well as register your new domain (for free).
14 Points to Consider When Choosing a Domain Name
Choosing a domain name when starting a blog can be stressful because you don’t want to make a mistake.
To make the process simpler, we have created a 14-step framework that you can use to select the best domain for your website.
- Continue to use.com.
- In your domain name search, use keywords.
- Keep your domain name as short as possible.
- Make it simple to say and spell.
- Keep it distinct and brandable.
- Avoid using hyphens in domain names.
- Avoid using doubled letters.
- Allow for future growth.
- Look into your domain name.
- Use domain generators to come up with clever ideas.
- Take action before it is taken by someone else.
- Where is the perfect location to register a domain name?
- Get a free domain name when you sign up for web hosting.
- The most well-known domain registrars
Let’s take a closer look at each of these suggestions one by one.
1. Continue to use.com.
Today, there seem to be numerous new domain name extensions available, ranging from original.com,.net, and.org to niche extensions such as.pizza,.photography, or even.blog.
We often suggest that you use a.com domain name.
Although it may be enticing to create smart blog names using the latest extensions,.com remains the most known and authentic domain name extension.
Latest domain extensions such as.ninja,.photography, and many others, in our view, could also make your brand look less genuine.
Domains ending in.com are the most memorable. Countless users, particularly those that aren’t as tech-savvy, will unconsciously type “.com” at the end of every domain.
If your website has been named jane.photography and your users type in jane.photography.com, they would be directed to an error page on the photography.com website.
It’s a good idea to avoid that risk by sticking with.com.
Not to mention that most smartphone keyboards include a.com button by default.
2. In your domain name search, use keywords.
Keywords are very important in a domain. By including keywords in your domain name, you are informing search engines about the nature of your website. Keywords in your domain, along with quality content and a positive user experience, can help you rank higher in Google.
It’s extremely difficult to find a good domain with your target keywords that isn’t already taken.
To make your domain stand out, you need to be creative and merge your keywords with some other words.
3. Keep your domain name as short as possible.
While keywords are important, don’t go too long with your domain name. It’s preferable to have a short and memorable domain name.
We recommend that your domain name contain no more than 15 characters. Longer domain names are more difficult to remember for your users.
Not to mention that longer domain names make users more likely to enter typos, which can result in lost traffic.
That is why keeping your domain name short is a good idea.
4. Make it simple to say and spell.
When speaking and writing, you should be able to easily share your domain name. You never know when you’ll be asked in person to share your domain name.
If you intend to use your domain name to create a professional business email address, it must be simple to understand and spell for any listener.
5. Keep it distinct and brandable.
Your blog domain name has to be distinct in order for you to stand out in the minds of your readers. It is a good idea to look into other blogs in your niche and see what domain names they’re using.
You don’t want to inadvertently use a trademarked name or be accused of plagiarism by another blogger.
You can also choose a more recognizable domain name.
Brandable domain names are one-of-a-kind, memorable, and catchy. “Amazon.com,” for example, is a far more brandable name than “BuyBooksOnline.com.”
6. Avoid using hyphens in domain names.
Never use hyphens in a domain name. Hyphens can be an indicator of spam domains with which you do not want to be associated.
Typos are also common in hyphenated domains. If you use hyphens in your domain name because the domain you want is already taken, your users will most likely end up at your competitor’s site if they forget to type in the hyphen.
7. Avoid using doubled letters.
Avoiding domains with doubled letters is a smart option since it raises your chances of losing traffic due to typos. A domain like Presssetup.com, for example, will be more prone to typos, resulting in lost traffic.
Keeping doubled letters to a minimum will also make your domain easier to type and more brandable.
8. Allow for future growth.
It’s a good idea to select a domain name related to your industry or niche because it gives users an idea of what your website is about. However, you don’t want to limit your long-term options too much.
For example, a florist may select a domain name such as orchidblog.com, but they may later decide to start blogging about flowers other than orchids. In that case, the domain may preclude you from attracting readers who are interested in other flowers.
Moving your site to a new domain can be a frustrating process, and if you don’t do it correctly, you may lose search rankings. That is why it is critical to start with a flexible domain name.
9. Look into your domain name.
Before registering a domain name, check to see if there is already a registered business with the same name.
You can conduct a trademark search to see if a similar or exact name has already been trademarked.
You can also conduct a Google search to see if the name is available on popular social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
A similar or matching name will not only cause confusion, but it may also have serious legal consequences that will cost you a lot of money.
10. Use domain generators to come up with clever ideas.
There are currently over 360 million registered domain names. As a result, many people believe that all good domain names are already taken.
Manually searching for individual domain names can be time-consuming.
Domain name generators can help with this. These free tools will automatically search for your specified keywords to generate hundreds of creative domain name suggestions.
We recommend Nameboy, one of the oldest and most popular domain name generator tools available online.
11. Take action before it is taken by someone else.
Thousands of new domain names are registered every day from all over the world. If you find a domain name that you like, don’t wait too long to register it.
Domain names are similar to real estate. Thousands of people are actively looking for good brandable domain names that they can register at a later date for a lower price.
If you do not act quickly, someone else may register your domain idea.
Because domain names are relatively inexpensive, we always advise our readers to act quickly. You can simply let it expire if you change your mind later.
Best Websites to Purchase a Domain Name
Also on the internet, there are hundreds of domain registrars. It is critical to choose wisely because it may be difficult to transfer your domain later on.
Domain registrations, like web hosting, can cost anywhere between $9 and $24. It’s even available for free*.
Let’s take a look at how to buy a domain name quickly and easily.
With Web Hosting, you can get a free domain name.
The vast majority of web hosting providers also provide domain registration as a service. Some of these businesses provide free domain registration with new hosting accounts.
If you’re starting a new website, it’s a good idea to take advantage of this offer and get a free domain name.
The two WordPress hosting companies listed below are offering our users over 60% off web hosting, a free SSL certificate, and a free domain name:
When it comes to web hosting, Bluehost is one of the oldest and most well-known brand names. They are an official “WordPress” hosting provider.
HostGator is another popular web hosting provider that provides a free domain name as well as very low-cost website hosting options.
It’s important to remember that most hosts only provide free domain registration for one year. After the first year, your domain registration will typically renew for about $14 per year.
Many users take advantage of the free domain for the first year because if you’re going to pay for a domain name, why not get it for free?
Domain Registrars with the Most Popular Domains
If you simply want to register a domain name without purchasing hosting, you can do so through a domain name registrar.
Domain.com is one of the market’s best domain registrars. They provide all top-level domain names, as well as a smart search function, premium domains, and all of the tools required to manage your domain names.
Domain.com is providing a 25% discount to Yourblogmaster readers, and our domain.com coupon should be automatically applied to your purchase.
With over 7 million domains registered, Network Solutions is another popular domain registrar.
They’re giving our users a 25% discount with the Network Solutions coupon code: YOURBLOGMASTER.
GoDaddy is the world’s largest domain registrar. They manage more than 63 million domain names for more than 14 million customers.
They also provide web hosting plans. You can get a free domain name if you use our GoDaddy coupon code.
That’s all there is to it. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how to choose the best domain name for your blog or business.
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