Sunday, March 24, 2024

How To Select A Domain Name

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Dont Use Double Letters

How to Choose a Perfect Domain Name for Your Website

If you use double letters in your domain name, youre actually going to lose traffic due to typos. Doubled letters arent only hard to read, but they are also difficult to type correctly. Hence, you should try to avoid using the same letter back to back in your domain name to make it easily typeable.

Besides confusing it with a similar domain that might belong to a competitor, people will have to spend more time remembering the correct spelling.

Of course, there are some exceptions to this advice. If you already have an established brand name with a double letter, you should follow the same spelling in your domain.

Pick Your Top 10 Domain Names

Once youve created your list, choose your top 10 potential domain names and check which ones are available.

A great place to check your domain name availability is on Hover, where you can type in a domain name and search to see whether its already registered or not.

If it is registered by somebody else already, my advice for now is to move on to the next potential domain name on your list. While its possible to get a domain name thats currently taken by someone else , thats likely to cost well into the hundreds or even thousands of dollarsdepending upon the domain.

Normally, youll want to register a domain name with the suffix .com .

Sometimes though, it might make sense to pick a local suffix or a less common extension like .net or .co if your ideal .com isnt available.

As I mentioned above, if you find that a domain name you love is taken, its possible the person who owns it might be willing to sell.

This could cost anything from a hundred dollarsor into the many thousands, depending on how valuable the domain name is perceived to be .

My advice at this stage is to register an available domain name to get your blog started withand you can always upgrade to buying that perfect domain later on down the line once you have a budget for domain acquisitions.

Make Sure Your Domain Is Easy To Pronounce And Spell

You probably want your domain name to be original and memorable. However, novelty isnt always a good thing. If you modify the spelling of a common word to get that .com extension , you might confuse your audience.

While word-of-mouth advertising is powerful, it only works when people can actually pronounce your domain. This also makes the name easier to remember, increasing the odds that people will visit and pass the site along to their networks.

In recent years, more businesses have opted for 4-letter combinations of easily pronounceable domains. In addition to being incredibly memorable, this is also due to the ability for domains to hold aftermarket value. That is, if the business fails, the domain can still be sold. One very popular 4-letter pattern is c-v-c-v , exemplified by Snap and Meta.

Read Also: How To Register A Gov Domain

Avoid Generic Or Vague Domains

An important aspect to consider when choosing a domain name is keeping it relevant and avoiding being vague. If youâre a painter who runs a business under the name Jacob Smith, using the domain name jacobsmith.com will probably be too generic.

Instead, you can add a simple keyword to help distinguish your website right away. You could register jacobsmithpainter.com so your customers can easily find you. This is important if your business is a common phrase or is your personal name.

Is It Necessary To Have A Domain Name Email Address

The Ultimate Guide On How To Choose A Domain Name

With the proliferation of free email providers, many people question whether having a domain name or email address is still necessary. After all, free providers like Gmail and Yahoo! Mail offer plenty of storage and robust spam filters. So what are the benefits of having a domain name email address? The most obvious benefit is that it makes your business look more professional. Customers are more likely to trust a business with a professional email address than one with a generic Gmail address.

In addition, having a domain name and email address gives you more control over your online identity. With a free provider, you are at the mercy of their service and privacy policy. If they decide to change something, you have no choice but to go along with it. However, you can set your own rules if you have your domain name email address.

Finally, having a domain name email address allows you to take advantage of other features like customizing your website and setting up alerts. While free email providers offer some great features, there are still plenty of reasons to invest in a domain name email address.

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Domain Names Are The First Impression

Domain names are the first impression of your website. They are the first thing customers see when searching for you online and the first thing that pops up in their browser window. A study by Moz found that domain authority is one of the top three factors influencing a website’s click-through rate.

A domain name is a significant factor in CTR because it’s the first thing customers see. If your domain name is irrelevant to your business or brand, customers are less likely to click through to your website.

How To Register A Domain Name With Godaddy

If youre ready to make your mark on the internet but are not sure how to actually register your domain name, heres a step-by-step process for registering your available domain name with GoDaddy.

1. Enter the domain name in GoDaddys domain name search bar.

2. Click Add to Cart.

3. If desired, register additional extensions to protect your online brand. Click Add to Cart for each additional domain name.

4. Click Continue to Cart.

5. Select a domain privacy plan, or click No Thanks.

6. Decide if you want to attach your domain name to a free starter website.

Keep the box checked for Start your website for free if you want to attach your domain name to a free trial of GoDaddys Website Builder. Uncheck the box if you want to pass.

7. Decide if you want to attach your domain name to a professional email address.

Choose from three professional email plans or keep the box checked to No Thanks.

8. Click Continue to Cart.

9. Sign into your GoDaddy account or click Create Account.

Youll be prompted to enter your billing and payment information. GoDaddy offers several payment methods so choose the one thats most convenient for you. You will need to provide your billing address but if youve chosen domain privacy in the previous step, that information will not be visible to the public.

10. Review your order under My Items and click Complete Purchase.

Consider registering your domain name for a longer term to save money in the long run and prevent accidental domain expiration.

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Always Go For The Com

Let me say this again: Wherever possible, always go for a .com domain. Exhibit A: This site.

Technically speaking, the .com is just one of many domain name extensions that are available . Some of the other popular options include, .net, .org, .co, .edu, .biz, or even things such as .shop, or .blog.

And while all those fancy TLDs are tempting, getting the classic .com is nearly always the right thing to do. Two reasons:

  • People are more familiar with .com domains than with anything else they will default to typing .com into the browser address bar, and are unlikely to remember your extension if its too weird. Everyone will always assume a website is a .com.
  • The .com TLD is used by ~47% of all websites, data says. Can they all be wrong?
  • What all of this means is that if your perfect .com is taken, then perhaps you should either forget about that name entirely or try contacting the current owner to see if theyre willing to sell the domain to you. Warning! This could be expensive.

    Research Social Media Handles

    How to Choose the Right Domain Name | Wix SEO

    If you have plans to engage with your visitors or customers, chances are youll want to create social media accounts that are linked to your domain name and website. Therefore, its wise to check your preferred social media sites to see if your domain name is available in handle form.

    Alternatively, you can check to see if a variation of your domain name is available. This is a common practice.

    If youre not planning to use too many different social media networks, you can easily do this manually. However, if you want a bit of help, is a great way to see all available social media handles at a glance.

    This handy tool can provide you with useful information about trademarks. It can also help you manage dozens of social media accounts.

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    Make Your Address Mobile

    Mobile devices drive 51.89% of internet traffic as of the second quarter of 2018.

    Interestingly, that number has declined from its height in Q3 2017, but the fact remains:

    At least half of the people using your domain address are going to be using a mobile device to get there.

    Which means you need to think about all the autocorrect-victims of the world and make your domain as memorable and concise as you can for them.

    Examples of easy, mobile-friendly domain names that come to mind are and Bing, respectively. Theyre short, simple, and everyone knows how to spell them.

    Far less mobile-friendly examples include and the infamous Comic-Cons homepage.

    Although both of these domain names hit the mark for memorable, they lose points for being an easy typo, and in Comic-Cons case, requiring users to switch between their digital keyboards to type.

    So, when youre picking your domain name, try it out on your mobile phone first. How easy is it to type? If youre an expert-level phone typer, have someone a little less savvy try it out on your phone.

    Now, lets change gears a little bit and talk SEO.

    What If The Domain Name You Want Is Already Taken

    Listen, its 2022. The chances are pretty high that your first choice domain name is likely already taken. If its notthen I recommend registering it immediately!

    But given the fact that there are now nearly 32 Million bloggers in the U.S. alone, youre probably going to need a few backup domain name ideas, or a game plan to go with should your top choices be unavailable. Heres what to do if your ideal domain name is already taken:

    Option #1: Brainstorm New Possibilities

    The easiest option is to go back to the drawing board and choose a domain name that isnt already taken. Sure, its a bummer that your first choice domain names are already gone, but thats the reality of the world we live in.

    If your creative energy is running on low and youre disappointed by striking out on a few domain namesgive yourself a little break away from working on finding the right name for now.

    Once youre feeling refreshed, come back and consult one of the top domain name generators like the SmartWP Name Generator to see if any of the suggestions they offer spark some great new domain name ideas for you to go with.

    Option #2: Choose a Different Domain Extension

    ProBlogger did this originally when they just got started with their blog. They began as ProBlogger.net and eventually bought the .com extension later on down the line after theyd built a meaningful business around their blog.

    Option #3: Ask to Buy the Domain Name

    • Blind Five Year Old
    • Mr. Money Mustache

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    A Strategic Approach To Choosing The Perfect Domain Name

    Your URL offers a chance to leave a good first impression. Thats why a strong domain name is essential for the success of your website. So, if youre ready to land that perfect domain name, remember these handy tips and click below to start your search today.

    About the Author: Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D.

    Stefanus Hadi, Ph.D., is Product Research Manager at DreamHost. He is responsible for directing and managing the companys partnerships with various domain registries, including those that control TLDs like .com, .online, .shop, .xyz, .club, .art, .io, .co, .me, and many others. In his free time, Stefanus enjoys outdoor activities, visits national parks regularly, and serves as a member of a Los Angeles high school support group. Connect with Stefanus on LinkedIn:

    How To Pick The Right Domain Name For Your Business Or Personal Site

    The Ultimate Guide to Choosing and Buying a Domain Name in 2022

    So, whats the best way to pick an effective domain name? Get ready to discover professional domain name ideas and suggestions to help you decide!

    The easiest way to start is to grab a pen and some paper and start jotting down any words that relate to the product or service you provide. Its possible the domain you want is already taken, so you may need to get creative, but more on that later

    If youre wondering how to select a domain for a company then this section has your name on it. In reality, a business domain name isnt so different from a non-business name. It should be interesting, short, and memorable.

    The best domain name for your business is out there! Lets continue with some useful tips on choosing the perfect domain name.

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    Marry Your Domain Name

    It sounds odd, but you have to be absolutely sure you love your domain name. Once its set, you have it for years to come. If you decide later to rename it, then you will lose time, money, branding, and rankings. We do not recommend changing your domain once your blog has been alive for a considerable amount of time.

    How To Choose A Domain Name Registrar: The Beginners Guide

    In this article, I am going to tell you How to Choose a Domain Name Registrar? so if you want to know about it, then keep reading this article. Because I am going to give you complete information about it, so lets start.

    Looking for domain names but still confused about where to buy? Well, you should look for Domain Registrars. If you arent aware of what a domain registrar is? Just read on, well go along explaining it and the best registrars available in the market with whom you can purchase a domain name.

    Domain registrars offer domain names for websites and oversee the whole registration procedure. Choosing a domain registrar is necessary because having a domain name is a need for creating a website.

    Despite the abundance of domain name registration services available, it may be challenging to choose the right one for your requirements. Furthermore, because there are so many ways to be duped, picking the correct domain name registrar is crucial. Well explain how to select the top domain registrar in this article.

    Todays article focuses on the same,i.e, How to Choose a Domain Name Registrar. The articles entail each bit of information necessary for you to know.

    Lets get started!

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    What Is Email Hosting

    Email hosting is a service that hosts your email account and the files associated with it on a remote server. In addition to storing the emails and files, the email host also provides additional services such as:

    • Routing received emails to your network
    • Email authentication and security
    • Email management and filtering

    Each email hosting service provides different services and emphasizes different aspects of email management. You should choose one that meets your business email needs while also fitting your budget.

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    Choose A Domain Thats Easy To Remember

    How to Choose a Domain Name | Squarespace 7.0

    Customers will find your website URL on flyers, newsletters, search queries, and other websites so making the address stick is key.

    Memorable domain names are often short, clever, and avoid trendy humor, hyphens or numbers. The longer or more complicated the domain name, the less likely it is to stick. A good rule of thumb is if you saw the domain name on a delivery-truck sign, could you remember it later?

    Think obvious, catchy, unique, and memorable.

    Do a quick analysis of your favorite domain names and see what makes them stand out, and incorporate those elements you like into your own business domain name.

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    Why It Pays To Put Some Thought Into Your Domain Name

    Your domain name is your websites home address on the Internet. And while its not the only thing that affects your sites success, there are tons of reasons its important to choose a domain name carefully:

    • A unique, memorable name is more likely to stick with visitors and encourage them to return.
    • Your domain name can immediately give new visitors an idea of what your site is all about.
    • Domain names have an impact on Search Engine Optimization .
    • Changing your domain name after creating your site can lead to time-consuming complications.

    Names have power this is as true for a website as for anything else. Picking the right domain name should therefore be a careful process, and youll want to consider all of your options before settling on a winner.

    Do I Need A Domain Name For My Website

    The short answer is yes – but there are some exceptions. For example, if you’re creating a personal website or blog, you may be able to get by by using a free platform like WordPress.com or Blogger.com. These sites will provide you with a subdomain , which can be used to access your site.

    However, if you’re planning on creating a more professional website – or if you want more control over your site’s design and functionality – you’ll need to register your domain name. You can usually do this through your web hosting provider, which will cost you around $10-15 per year. Once you have your domain name, you’ll be able to create the website of your dreams!

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