It might be unfair, but many people judge a business by its domain name. If yours is weak, weird or just plain wrong, you might be driving away customers without even realizing it. Here are eight ways to improve your domain name so that it speaks to the core of your company.
- Avoid Numbers
Numbers cause confusion more than anything else that you might stick in a domain name. Customers won’t know whether to input ThreeCheese.com or 3Cheese.com, so unless you’re re-directing traffic from the incorrect one, you’ll miss out on the business of lost and confused users.
- Use Geographical Data
This is a little trick that can help you rise on search engine results pages (SERPs). People in Houston may or may not click on something like HomeTileRepair.com, but they’ll definitely be intrigued by HoustonHomeTileRepair.com. They’ll know right off the bat that it applies to them.
- Beware Copyrighted Material
Don’t reserve a domain name without considering the legal implications. There’s a reason why you don’t see a billion knock-offs called Dramazon.com; Amazon’s lawyers swoop in and cut them off before they even get started. You’ll want to avoid copyrighted or trademarked URLs while choosing your own.
- Consider Different Extensions
Dot-com (.com) might be the most common extension, but you can also create websites with everything from dot-net (.net) to dot-me (.me). If you’re running a special organization that meets clearance criteria, you might even qualify for a dot-edu (.edu) or dot-org (.org). Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with web extensions.
- Use Key Phrases and Buzzwords
If you’re running an online bakery, your name doesn’t have to be something literal like OnlineBakery.com. It can take the form of one of your desserts or the imagery that you want associated with them. For example, your name might have something to do with doughnuts or cupcakes, or it might include words like “fresh,” “hot” or “chocolate.”
- Stick to the Right Spelling
Intentional misspellings might look cute or clever on your sales flyers, but when it comes to domain names, they’re just asking for trouble. Customers won’t realize that the “s” is actually a “z” when they hear the name spoken aloud. To avoid confusion at the address bar, spell everything correctly in your domain name.
- Check Your Hosting Package
Many web hosts allow you to choose your own domain name as part of their hosting package. You can find hosts like this by inputting “reserve domain name” into a search engine and seeing what brands pop up. Not only can they help you choose a unique domain name, but they might even be able to assist with things like checking for copyright.
- Keep It Simple
You don’t want your URL to be something long and complicated. You want it to be a name or phrase that will be easily remembered by customers who hear it in passing. Try to aim for something that’s between 2-5 words of average length, and make them flow together in a natural, non-clunky way.
These are just a few guidelines for creating a strong, dynamic domain name. Whether you’re starting your first website or just looking to revamp the one that you already have, use these tips for better success in the virtual realm.