What is the best way to choose a domain Name -- Five Critical steps
A domain name is like a street address for any online business. It tells people the location of your store. It's likely why it's described as a website website address. But it's so much better than that. Unlike most streets, your domain name may reflect or perfectly match your store's name. It's an extension of the brand or, sometimes, is the name of your brand.
The selection of the domain name you choose is just as crucial as selecting an address for your physical shopfront. You want to be found effortlessly and showcase yourself in a tasteful way that is suitable for your industry and customer base. It is important to be where the customers are and which the competitors does not.
If you're starting your store or are looking to create a digital presence to your brick-and-mortar storefront follow these steps for advice about choosing a domain which can serve your needs over the long run.
What exactly is a domain?
A domain name, often called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or web address, is the name that a user type into their browser to find your site. It begins with www and usually ends with something similar to .org, .net, or the most popular variant -- .com.
A domain name and hosting account are separate elements, yet you'll need both of them to get your website on the internet. They can be purchased together or independently -- you'll just need to make some changes so the two can communicate.
What is the best place to purchase a domain name?
Many hosts offer domain buying services or include a free name as part of the package. However, you might find it easier to go to the domain purchasing platform at WordPress.com. It is possible to search for domain names and select from common names (.com, .net, etc. ) and over 350 different options like .blog, .store, and many more.
The best domain name
Choosing a domain name is, in essence, similar to naming your business. Like you wouldn't call the new business Coca-Cola because the name is trademarked and has been used for something else You'll have to pick from options that are available and cost-effective.
This post isn't about the best way to come up with ideas however, rather, how to look through the options and arrive at the optimaldecision out of the options you discover.
Overall, you should create a wide list of options and narrow it down on the ultimate objective: something you can easily keep in mind and to communicate. At the end of this article, we will give details of five areas that determine if a domain fits this goal.
Begin your list by naming names that relate to your organization and purpose
You want a domain that includes your business name or closely relates to your industry. If your business is completely online, you should look at domains available before deciding on an official name for your company. This is an important decision to make.
If you already have an actual store you're looking to build a website for, you may have to think outside the box to discover a name that's as well connected to your existing brand while still meeting your primary objective of something that's easy to remember and to communicate.
Check for availability
Once you have your first list of concepts, you can look up the domain's available. If you already own an existing domain name for your business, take this first step to check if it's still available.
When one of the top ideas, or your own company name is offered with a .com ending, you've likely have found the perfect domain name. But, make sure to go through the checklist that is at the bottom of this article to ensure that it is in line with the objective of having a great domain name.
Most likely, however the best of your ideas may already be takenand will be listed at a high price, or will only be made available in a variant of the initial (by using words or phrases and/or choosing a different ending, etc.). If this is the case Don't get discouraged. Again, it's the most typical situation. Take the rest of this article to help you filter through more possibilities until you can find the ideal alternative.
Consider the price
Popular, easy names are typically owned by an individual already. If they're not using it the name, they may put it up as a sale item. Consider the cost and the significance for your business.
The prices for domain properties as well as physical ones differ greatly because they are set by the owner. The seller may want a few hundred dollars or, for names such as eCommerce.com 10s of millions.
A domain name isincredibly useful, so as with any business investment Don't be afraid of making the purchase if you can afford it and is the perfect for your needs.
The best way can you narrow down your domain name options:
There are many factors to consider in deciding on a domain name and all of them must be viewed in light of the other. Similar to any business choice, you'll have be able to narrow your choices as well as weigh the advantages and disadvantages of every URL.
In order to ensure that it's simple to keep track of and to communicate with Choose a domain that:
1. Is it short
Avoid long names like, "RebeccasLouisianaCrabShackOffTheCornerofMainAndThird.com."
Most one-word domains are sold at exorbitant price points. A few simple words to your domain of choice could be beneficial. However, make sure that it is in line with the other objectives included in the list.
DRYFT is an example. It is a retail store selling fishing equipment and apparel. They added the word "fishing" to their domain name -- dryftfishing.com -- making it easy to remember.
2. Endes with .com In the event that it is possible
This is the most common end and is what a lot of visitors are likely to type when they arrive. Another ending could be available or less expensive however, keep in mind that visitors could leave their search and end up on another competitor's site because they type in .com first.
Some online stores, however, do utilize alternate names if they are compatible to their branding. Certified Comic Shop, for example, has the domain certifiedcomic.shop, a innovative way of establishing their name online.
3. Is easy to spell
Names such as "Kathryn" can also be spelling "Katherine," "Catherine," or "Katheryn." Therefore, a name like "DessertsByKathryn" is hard to pronounce. It is also necessary to purchase each spelling variant or clarify how it's spelled every time you say the word, which is unlikely to be realistic.
4. It doesn't contain a hyphen or number. It is also easy to pronounce.
Like choosing a domain that is easy to spell, you don't want to include any other aspects that could be confused when said out loud.
The hyphen is a great example. Although adding one could create a domain but many are likely to land at the wrong destination. Numbers also cause confusion because they can be spelled out (twenty three) or entered in digits (23).
2 Hounds Design knew that people can interpret their domain name in differently. Therefore, while their main domain name is 2houndsdesign.com, they also bought twohoundsdesign.com and transferred it to their own site.
5. It's not easy to confuse something with that is offensive
The most damaging thing about accidentally sending customers to competitors could be causing offence to them. If a typical typo or alternate ending sends your visitors to a website they be unable to tolerate, that's another reason for you to select the best option.
Take a look at your own gut. Do you feel proud every time you speak it loudly? Could you see yourself saying it on television, to an admired family member, or in front of an executive from a Fortune 500 company?
Share it with a group of peers or an untested audience. Invite them to come up with their own ideas and discover if they have anything "dirty" or "offensive" that they could do using the title. You might discover a blind spot or know the name of a popular culture icon that you've never heard of. This can save you from a lot of embarrassment.
You can give them the title and have them type the word out. Are they able to spell it correctly? Recall them a couple of days later and see whether they remember the name.
Found your perfect domain? But there's a little more to consider.
If you've found that ideal domain, you can go on and stand out from the crowd by soaking up the market. Do you have a domain ending in .com? It could be worth getting other endings like .net and .org. Have you picked a domain that isn't spell-checked? Snap up the other versions before competitors swoop in and redirect them to the main URL.
If you've found a great domain name that's cheap, make sure to get as many variants as you can in order to secure your investment.
Create your brand of dreams
Creating the store you have always dreamed of requires more than great software such as . You need all of the elements to come together for an amazing customer experience, as well as effective operation at the backend.
In the case of branding, having a great name and a beautiful logo are crucial. But online, a great domain name is similar to the ideal location for a store on Main Street. It could determine the success of your venture. Consider the options with care. A perfect domain name to host your online store is everywhere!