Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. What it a domain name? A domain is simply the name you give your company online. For example, our domain name is www.cybeem.com. Now, your domain name is more than just your address. It is the first step of your online success. It is your online identity and it can surely make or break your company. Why is that, you ask? Simply because domain names are a user-friendly way to avoid dealing with a website’s true online address aka the IP address. The IP address is the site’s actual unique locator which consist of a string of numbers that might also have a couple of other characters thrown in it. If you’re still unsure about whether or not you should be online, you should click here. Anyway, back to basics: how to choose the right domain name?
1. Think like a customer
Firstly, it’s important to think about your niche audience. What types of domains are connected to your niche and are the easiest to remember? Which ones differentiate from the rest but still hold on to an accurate representation of the brand behind the site? It’s important to consider characteristics and keywords that are associated with your brand. For example, if you are a vet, common keywords can be ‘vet’, ‘animals’, ‘paws, ‘pet’, and so on. You can therefore attach one of these keywords into an irrelevant word and your domain could be magicpaws.com.
2. Make it memorable
Ever heard of the leading payroll software solution, Payroll Panda? You’re thinking, what does Panda have to do with Payroll systems? Absolutely nothing. This domain is using imagery to make their brand memorable in people’s minds. In other words, people picture a panda in their minds which therefore makes this domain name successful. Also the fact that both words start with the letter ‘P’ makes it all the more memorable (words starting with the same letter is actually a language device aka alliteration which adds emphasis on both words). It’s also easy to pronounce and easy to type!
3. Choose the best domain extension
A domain extension is the part of your domain after the second “dot.” For example ours is “.com” and it helps to better brand your name. There are many extensions such as “.net, .io, .org, .cy” but “.com” is by far the most popular one. Now you’re probably thinking, why doesn’t everyone go with “.com” then? This is because some industries are known to have a specific extension. For example, if you are a charity, it might be a good idea to go with “.org” since most charities in the industry follow that extension.
4. Think outside the box & claim your domain and its variations in all platforms
There are currently over 1.3 billion websites so there’s a good chance that however creative your idea may be, it’s already been taken. Research your domain name carefully using domain name generators, keyword searchers and other websites to ensure that your idea is unique. Remember, the shorter the better. Once you find it, make sure to claim on social media platforms in order to avoid confusion and possible, frustration. Make sure to also claim any sorts of variations to your domain name so that your brand is consistently represented everywhere it might be found.
Summary:
In short, a domain name can make or break your brand so it’s important to think of several things. First of all, you need to think of your visitors; What do they associate your brand with? What will they most likely search in order to find you? Second, you need to make it memorable. Use language that will make people create an image in their head. Also, words that start from the same letter are more likely to stick to people’s minds. Third, use the best domain extension for your company; ‘.com’ is by far the most popular one, but depending on your industry it might be wise to consider other options as well. Last but not least, be creative with your domain and make sure to claim it (as well as its variations!) on all social media platforms.
If you’ve decided your domain name, let’s move to the second step. How do you make your website profitable? Click here for free tips.
