Getting a domain name in the market you plan to sell is very important for your online presence. It is not only an address; it is the first virtual impression of your brand. Claiming a quality domain can allow you to give your business an innovative look and that people or even the competition would take seriously, as well as add value towards giving yourself more validation. With millions to play with, the perfect fit just might be tough. But don’t worry! It is easy if you stick to Branding, Simplicity, SEO potential and Future Scalability & Domain Extensions. When purchasing a domain name that resonates with your target audience and brand development goals, consider these things!
1. Brand Consistency
Your domain literally is a part of who you are as a brand. You want it to align as closely with your business name as possible so that you have consistency throughout all efforts. If you own a business called “Bella Bakery”, for example, then grab one of these: BellaBakery (.com, net, .org). However, hyphens and numbers would only serve to confuse visitors who might not remember your site. A plain, easy-to-remember domain makes you look like an authority. The easier that customers can remember your webpage address the better chances you have to make them return back again.
2. Simplicity and Memorability
A good domain name should be easy to spell, pronounce, and remember. Shorter is better as long names are harder to input and more prone to typing errors. Avoid hard words or unusual spellings that may pose problems for some in terms of remembering or doing on a keyboard. What this means is that when one hears the domain name once, it should be easy for them to recall and type it, even if it was mentioned during casual conversation or in an advertisement. One thing we always advise clients to steer away from is the usage of special symbols or random characters that are otherwise not in their brand, i.e. dashes (www.These-Things.com) or numbers (www.FinestFinancial123.com).
As available domain names become fewer and fewer, we also suggest looking at tagging on short words that are a play off your brand name. For example, if you’re starting a business consulting firm with the name “Bridgefield Business Consulting,” you could register a domain such as “www.AskBridgefield.com” or “www.BridgefieldDelivers.com.” Again, the goal is to stay simple and memorable, without abandoning professionalism.
Even our own domain, AnthemComms.com, utilizes a shortened version of “communications.” You can do this for a variety of words. For example “consulting” can become “consults,” “mechanic” can become “mech,” and “technologies” can become “tech.”
3. SEO Potential
Having the right keywords in your domain name will help increase search engine visibility. For example, if you are in the hardware store business, mentioning “hardware” will help capture people who do organic searches. However, keywords are your friend and should be used intelligently — not just to stuff them into the domain where they would extend their name (more on that in a moment). Overfilling your domain name with keywords can make it look spammy and even scare off visitors.
4. Future Scalability
Think of your business in the long term when choosing a domain name. It should include possible expansions in your business down the line. As an example, if you are a handmade soap specialist now but may be interested in other personal care products later on, then calling it PureSoaps.com might be too limiting. Instead, something like PureEssentials.com could be more adaptable, supporting your growth and preventing the need for a costly rebranding later. This obviously needs to be considered as you develop your company’s brand identity from the get-go.
5. Domain Extension and Registration
Different types of domains (.com,.org, etc.) will have different implications for your business recognition or visibility. As .com is the most recognized and, it’s easier to remember. Any chance that .com is already snatched up, you can try another possible iteration like .net or .biz. If you own a retail store, this question would be easy to answer; you can go with .store. Also, always ensure you register your domain with a well-known registrar and remember to renew it for multiple years to avoid having it available to anyone else.
Final Thoughts
Naming your domain is a strategic step that can significantly affect the online brand’s success. So, ensure your desired domain has brand consistency, simplicity, and SEO potential while considering future scalability and domain registration requirements at the outset. With a few easy steps, you can lock up your ideal business-domain name that won’t just work for where you are today in business, but assist in taking forward what is to come.
If you’re looking to reserve your domain, there are many, many companies to choose from. GoDaddy, Cloudflare, NameCheap, PorkBun, and Hover all have large fan bases.
Anthem Communications can assist you with choosing a domain name, hosting provider, and of course developing and building a website that will attract consumers to your product or service.
