Choosing a right domain name is essential, when you want to create your own website. When you choose a wrong domain name, then your website will not be effective and you’ll just waste money.
Fortunately, picking a right domain name doesn’t have to be hard. This post will guide you through choosing your perfect domain name.
1. Choose a right TLD
A top-level domain (TLD) is the rightmost part of your domain name, like “.com”, “.co.uk”, “.pl” or “.info”
Here’s a brief overview of three most well-established extensions:
- “.com“ - stands for “commercial” and it is commonly associated with businesses. Examples: ebay.com, microsoft.com, hp.com, jaisocx.com
- “.org“ - stands for “organization” and it is associated with non-profit organizations. Examples: wwf.org, apache.org, gnu.org, svrjs.org, wikipedia.org
- “.net“ - stands for “network” and it is used to indicate a network-related business. Examples: he.net, speedtest.net
The “.com” is most popular TLD (top level domain) in the world - 37% of all domains has “.com” extension according to research from Domain Name Stat.
It’s so popular, that people will think first of “.com”, when they think first of a website address.
If you are unsure about the TLD, then it’s best bet to stick with “.com”.
Alternatively, you can also use new TLDs, such as “.io”, “.blog” or “.name”, that are increasingly popular. This is excellent option for unique domain name.
If you want to target specific country, then it’s best to use TLD of that targeted country (ccTLDs; country-code TLDs), for example “.pl” for Poland or “.de” for Germany.
Some ccTLDs are also good alternatives to generic domains, like “.io” (ccTLD for British Indian Ocean Territory; stands for I/O), “.cc” (ccTLD for Cocos Islands; stands for Creative Commons) or “.ai” (ccTLD for Anguilla; stands for Artificial Intelligence). They got so popular, that they are no longer associated with specific countries.
2. Make it short, memorable and brandable
If you already have a brand name, then you can use it as a part of domain name. That makes it easier to find your brand online.
For example, we chose svrjs.org, because it reflects SVR.JS name. We didn’t choose a generic domain, like javascriptserver.org.
Regardless of a name, keep it short, memorable and brandable:
- Avoid numbers and dashes, whenever possible. There are some exceptions, like formula1.com or coffee2go.ie
- Avoid words with complex spellings and meanings
- Avoid slang (for example “u” instead of “you”)
- Keep it at most 15 letters, whenever possible.
- Make it easy to pronounce and spell.
3. Add keywords to your domain name
If you want to consider SEO (search engine organization), you may add keywords to your domain name.
Let’s take an example of John Smith wanting to create a website for his bakery targeting the United Kingdom. One of possible domain names may be johnsmithbakery.co.uk, that contains a keyword “bakery”.
4. Check if your domain name is trademarked
And last, but not least, if you don’t check if your domain name is trademarked, you may run into legal issues or lawsuits. You can for example check the trademark status in USPTO (for United States of America) or in EUIPO (for European Union)
Conclusion
Choosing a right domain name is a crucial step in establishing your online presence. By choosing a domain name that is memorable, brandable, and relevant to your business, you can significantly enhance your website’s effectiveness. Remember to consider factors like the choice of TLD, making it short yet impactful, incorporating relevant keywords, and ensuring it is not trademarked to avoid legal complications. With thoughtful consideration and adherence to best practices outlined in this guide, you can set your website up for success and maximize its potential in the digital realm.