Choosing the right domain name for your business is one of the most important steps when creating a website. Your domain name represents your brand and can have a lasting impact on your online visibility, credibility, and overall SEO performance.
Here are some tips on how to choose a good domain name that not only resonates with your business but also supports your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts.
1. Keep It Simple and Memorable
When choosing a domain name, simplicity is key. A good domain name should be easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. If your domain name is too long or complicated, visitors may have a hard time finding your site or remembering how to return to it.
Instead of using a long-winded domain like “TheBestCakesInTownBakeryOnline.com,” opt for something short and catchy like “TownBakery.com.”
Shorter domain names are easier to share and tend to perform better in search engines because they reduce the chance of spelling errors and are more user-friendly.
2. Include Relevant Keywords
Incorporating relevant keywords into your domain name can boost your SEO, helping your website rank higher for certain search terms. When considering a domain name for your business, think about what keywords people might use to find your products or services.
For example, if you own a fitness studio, you could include “fitness” in your domain name, such as “EliteFitnessStudio.com” or “FitnessHub.com.”
Focus on primary keywords related to your business. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can make your domain appear spammy and unprofessional.
3. Use Your Brand Name
Your domain name is a reflection of your brand. If possible, include your business name in the domain. This helps with brand recognition and builds trust with your audience. For established businesses, using your brand name strengthens your online presence.
If your business is called “Graceful Design,” an ideal domain could be “GracefulDesign.com.au” or a variation like “GracefulDesignWeb.com.”
Having your brand name in your domain boosts brand recall and makes it easier for customers to find your business directly via search engines.
4. Choose the Right Domain Extension
While “.com” is the most popular domain extension, it’s worth considering others like “.net,” “.co,” or even industry-specific extensions such as “.design” or “.store” if “.com” isn’t available. However, “.com” still carries the most authority and is preferred for SEO.
Stick to popular extensions that people are familiar with. Lesser-known extensions may be seen as less credible by both users and search engines.
5. Avoid Numbers and Hyphens
Numbers and hyphens can cause confusion. People may not know whether to use the numeral (e.g., 5) or the word (e.g., five), and hyphens often look unprofessional and can hurt your credibility.
For example, instead of “Best-Cakes-4U.com,” go for “BestCakesForYou.com.”
Hyphens and numbers can lead to lower click-through rates as they may appear spammy or overly complicated, reducing your site’s visibility in search engine results.
6. Think Long-Term
Your domain name should be adaptable to the future growth of your business. Avoid being too specific about your products or location unless it’s central to your brand. A domain that locks you into a specific niche may hinder expansion in the future.
Choose a domain name that can grow with your business. This helps avoid rebranding or purchasing new domains as your services evolve.
7. Check Domain Availability
Before you settle on a domain name, ensure that it’s available and hasn’t been trademarked by another business. You can use sites like NameCheap or SiteGround (which includes a domain name with their web hosting packages) to check for availability.
Tip: Check if your brand name is available across all social media platforms by doing a search in platforms like Instagram and Facebook. See what similar handles / profile names come up. Having easy to find social media accounts can strengthen your brand consistency and boost SEO by creating a cohesive online presence.
8. Act Fast
Once you find the right domain name, buy it! Great domain names are snapped up quickly, so it’s important to act fast and secure your domain before someone else does.
Let’s Get Started!
Choosing the right domain name for your business is important for SEO success, brand recognition, and customer trust.
If you need assistance with choosing the right domain name for your business or are ready to get started on your website design, feel free to contact Graceful Design for a quote or more information.