[How To] Select Your Domain Name

Make It Unique

You will prefer a domain name that is unique. If your site is similar to another domain, the visitor could end up on a rival site. For instance, if the site name is makingmusicvideos.com, you would not want to use makemusicvideos.com because they are almost alike.

Keep It Short

People will recall a shorter domain name faster than a longer one. Not everyone is going to see you site from an ad or search engine. Your site will get exposure by word of mouth if your name is short. A short domain name also decreases the chance of spelling mistakes and the name will be easier to recall.

Avoid Numbers and Hyphens

Should you include numbers and hyphens in your domain name? This often causes great debates in marketing forums. Some site owners argue hyphens can help search engines find your site better and others say it causes confusion and most people forget to type them. A hyphen is often used because the domain of choice is already taken. It is ideal to come up with another name if the name without a hyphen you want is already registered. Numbers can also cause confusion so try to get a domain name with the number written out when possible.

Include the Right Keywords

In order to be found on search engines, your domain name must have the right keywords. It may seem logical to use your given name for your site name. Unless you are a high-profile person, a personal name will mean nothing to search engines. The keywords should be relevant to your site content. There are free keyword research tools to help you choose popular search terms.

Register Your Name Under More Than One Extension

Marketing experts suggest you to register your domain under more than one extension. This is because someone may type in the wrong extension. Attempt to register under all the top-level domain extension like .Com,.Net, and .Org. It helps keep competition at minimum no one else will be able to use variations of you name. Many hosts allow the bulk domain registration option when you sign up.

Always Try Getting the .Com

Getting a .Com can be tricky with all the registered names. However, it is the most popular unless you are a non-profit or educational site. Search engines tend to favor .Coms over other extensions.

Choosing the right domain name is not to be take lightly. With so many domain names already registered, you may lose patience. It is advised to take your time in finding a catchy and memorable domain name for your business. A fast decision may be the wrong choice. The right name can make a difference.