For people to easily recognize your website and brand, you need a domain name that sticks. Since it’s essentially the first impression users have before reaching your website, it must be catchy and easy to remember. However, there are other practices to apply when choosing your domain name:
Establish your identity
It’s needless to say that the most memorable websites always have simple, memorable, and unique domain names that convey the brand’s identity. So, ensuring that your name fits this description is important, as visitors should know immediately what the website is about before they even access it.
As such, vague and generic titles should be avoided at all costs, as all they will do is get your website lost in search engines. Overall, having a name that truly conveys the essence of the brand while still being eye-catching is the way to go.
Include keywords in your domain
SEO is the key to high visibility on the internet, and even though it may not seem like it, domain names have a big influence on search engine rankings. In order to get a boost from the start, it’s important to conduct keyword research to ensure your website hits the top search spots.
But keyword research won’t do the job alone. You should always pair search engine-optimized words with others that express your brand’s identity and character.
Choose the right extension
To get your website noticed, it’s not all about the domain name – you also need the right extension. The most well-known TLDs, such as .com, .net, and .edu, work well as they tend to obtain more trust from users. However, thinking outside the box and using a more original extension might actually work better for your website.
For example, when showcasing a local business, you could use a geographical TLD that will inform your visitors where you’re located. This can go from cities, such as .nyc, to a national level, such as .us or .uk. Similarly, other TLDs like .org or .gov provide users with information about the type of organization the website represents.
Less is more
When it comes to domains, remember that simplicity is key. Short and concise domain names are easier for people to remember, so avoid using hyphens, numbers, or double letters.
Complex domains can be forgettable, causing people to lose interest quickly. Additionally, adding special characters can make it easier for people to misspell your domain and end up on a completely different website. Not only that, but numbers in your domain can negatively impact your search engine optimization efforts.
Avoid trademark infringement
Once you’ve decided on your domain name, don’t forget to check if it’s already trademarked or being used by another company to avoid any judicial problems.
Similarly, running background checks on potential domain names is a vital step. This will help you avoid buying names that have a bad reputation, which can be damaging as Google doesn’t differentiate between owners of the same domain name.
With so many websites registered nowadays, the probability of someone already owning a name you want is high, but alternative TLDs are the solution to this problem. Depending on the type of website you want to set up, choosing non-conventional extensions might make your domain name easier to remember.
How to register your domain
Once you’ve come up with a name you’re happy with, don’t wait around. The internet is always expanding, and someone else might have the same idea as you. Act quickly and secure your domain name before someone else snaps it up.
Luckily, registering a domain has never been easier, thanks to platforms like DreamHost. This web hosting company offers a variety of domain options, so you can register yours and get started in no time.
The platform has a domain name search bar, so you can be sure that no one already owns your desired name. DreamHost also provides plenty of unusual TLDs together with the standard ones, so choosing something that’s eye-catching and memorable is a breeze.
On top of this, with any of DreamHost’s VPS plans, users get a free 1-year registered domain. To register it, all you need to do is:
- Come up with an ideal name.
- Type it into the search bar and see if the domain is available.
- If it is, you’re in luck! Now, select your chosen extension.
- Proceed to checkout.
- Enjoy the free domain name for a whole year.
With these best practices for selecting a high-ranking domain name in the bag, you should feel more confident in choosing the right one for you. Best of luck in your journey to the top of search engines!
Micaela A.
Mary P.
