How To Choose A Domain Name: Easy Tips & Best Practices

 Are you looking to start a blog?

Choosing a domain name is a monumental decision and locks you into a decision, at least until you buy a new one.

Knowing this can make it hard for you to pick one and give you decision fatigue. 

But you can choose your domain name easily and without stress in a few minutes.

I’ve done it several times for several businesses.

So here are my best tips and practices for choosing a domain name.

How Important is a Domain Name?

Before you pick any domain name and call it a day, understand that a domain name is very important.

It is your brand or business identity at any given time.

If chosen wrong, your domain name can cause you to lose business, readers, and/or deals. 

In addition, a domain name too similar to that of a known brand can throw your blog into the dark depths of page three of Google.

Why Is a Domain Name Important?

Here is why the domain name you pick is essential to your business:

1. It’s How People Find You

When people are looking for your brand, they will search for your domain name.

Domain names are unique identifiers.

You cannot share or replicate a domain name.

Essentially, they are the fingerprints of the internet.

Your domain name ensures people know that it is your business or brand they have found.

2. It Represents Your Business

As a business, your domain name extends who you are as a brand and what you aim to put out.

The best domain names make it easy for people to know what your business is about. 

3. It Helps You Stay Top of Mind

Your domain name can make you stand out within your niche.

The right domain name is memorable and encourages return visits, promoting shares and interactions.

4. It Makes a First Impression

As a new blog or business site, you may not have the online following to launch a site and immediately get traffic.

However, your domain name can help you make an excellent first impression.

You will impress people if it is memorable, unique, and relevant.

What Makes a Good Domain Name?

Now that we’ve covered the importance of a domain name, let’s discuss how to pick the perfect domain name.

1. Keywords Are Included

Including the relevant keywords in your domain name makes it easier for you to rank on search engines.

It also helps your target audience identify what niche your business is in.

2. It’s Easy to Pronounce and Spell

It is easy to get caught up in finding a unique domain when coming up with a blog name.

However, uniqueness should not tramp practicality.

For example, if you have to think twice about typing your domain name, it is likely that your audience misspells it often and gives up. 

Don’t try too hard to find a catchy and unique name.

Instead, choose a name people can pronounce and spell to ensure they find you online.

3. It’s Catchy

Catchy domain names are hard to forget and make a better first impression on your audience.

Domain names with alliterations, puns, one-liners, and funny phrases often have a significant impact.

4. It’s Easy to Remember

A memorable domain name guarantees they can search for you on search engines instead of waiting to get a link.

The more people search for you, the higher you rank, and the more people discover you.

5. It’s Unique

Your domain name should be unique.

It is less likely that a unique name is already taken or trademarked.

Distinctive domain names also ensure your audience remembers you.

6. It Doesn’t Have Hyphens

Hyphenated domain names are hard for audiences to remember.

Additionally, they’re bothersome to type, add to links and spell out

So it is not worth the trouble.

Hyphenated domain names are also widely linked to spam and graphic sites, so it is best to avoid them altogether if that is not your business’ niche.