Choosing a Domain Name

How To Choose Good Domain Names


When you purchase a domain name, you are buying virtual real estate. Although, instead of “location, location, location,” your mantra should be “keyword, keyword, keyword.”

It’s helpful if you have a domain name that:
  • Easy to remember
  • Short
  • Has no dashes
  • Has no numbers*
  • Has your keyword or key phrase included
  • Relates to your content

Although I will tell you, I’ve seen high-ranking websites that have broken every rule listed above, if you are just starting out buying a domain name, it’s easier to SEO a site that follows these rules.

*Some rules are meant to be broken. If you are marketing to specifically to baby boomers, then a site called “turning 60” would obviously be a good domain name and a good buy.

A memorable, keyword rich domain name is the foundation for any web based business. Keep in mind that you want to make easy for your visitors to find you again. Many people search the web, while at work, and then go back to visit promising sites once they are home again.

TIP: if you buy a dot org, info or net (or any other extension) make sure your extension is part of your header graphic,) as it increases the chance that your return visitor will not automatically type in the dot com extension buy mistake.

What makes a good domain name?


It must be easy to remember

I spend a lot of time reminding webmasters that the casual net surfer is not like them at all. Most people do not use bookmarking services and will more than likely have to repeat their search to find your site. If your domain name is easy to remember, you have a better chance for a repeat visitor.

Should reflect the content of your site

We own a site called gettingatan.com. There is absolutely no doubt in the visitors mind that they are about to enter a site that gives information about getting a tan. If the content was about wine tasting, you’ve mislead your visitor who will avoid your site.

People also arrive at your site through links from other web pages that consist of nothing but the name of your site. A name that is descriptive of your site has a better chance of being clicked.

Your domain name should be short

The holy grail of a domain names is the one word descriptive name. Unfortunately, most of these one word domain names were taken by cyber squatters and many of the remaining names were taken buy domain developers who recognized the value of the site.

While domain names have a 255 character limit, you want your domain name to be “sticky.” If you have a shorter domain name, you increase the chance it will be remembered.

Branded or Keyword driven domain names

If you are selling a product with a brand name, then your domain name should reflect the brand name. For example, if you sell Nike shoes, the Nike domain is owned by the Nike company and is therefore unavailable. You should think in terms of “buy nike,” “cheap nike” “nike reviews,” and “best nike.”

If you are selling athletic shoes then you are looking for a keyword driven site. “Athletic shoes” is a good place to start, and if you want to drill down into the niche, “basketball shoes,” “walking shoes,” “golf shoes,” and “sneakers” become the main keywords on which to base a domain name.

If you own your own company, don’t neglect to make sure you own your product name web sites. Larger companies will not finalize the name of their products unless they own the domain name.

Numbers, dashes and misspellings

Sometimes a niche is over-saturated with websites and unless you include numbers and dashes, you can’t find a domain name.

Well, before you buy a domain name with dashes or numbers, sit down with your friends and family and brainstorm domain names. Sometimes another perspective is what you need to come up with a memorable, effective domain name. A person of a different gender or age group can often recommend a name that would not have occurred to you.

While misspelled domain names used to be a cottage industry, Google now suggests the correct spelling and in some cases will override an incorrectly spelled word. Many webmasters who depended on misspellings for traffic found a big drop in their visitors once Google started this.

If you have to buy a domain name with dashes, make sure there are less than three dashes in the name.

If you are buying a domain name with numbers, stick to the commonly known ones. 411 – indicates information, 911 – suggests an emergency and 101 - tells your visitor that they’ll get complete basic information on a topic.

How to choose a good domain name


I generally come up with a keyword list before I start looking to see if the domain is available. Once I have the keyword list, I go to the domain registrar (I use GoDaddy) to see if the name is available. Always have alternative names. The ones you want are usually not available.

If you can get the dot com version of the name, you usually do not have to register the dot net or the dot org. Although if your product is the next hula hoop take all available extensions to keep your brand name undiluted.

Your domain name is both your online identity and valuable virtual real estate. If you choose a domain name that reflects a good image of you and your product or content, you raise its profitability.
 
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