A domain name which the same as your web address is a very important part of your web business. It is the very first thing you give visitors and customers. When you key in your domain name in any web browser your web page is displayed. It is like the map that directs people to your web page.
There is no formula for coming up with a particular name and it can be a combination of both letters and numbers. Here are some of them: –
1) It Should Be Easy to Type
Anyone who wants to access your website should find your domain name easy to type. If you use your name, a family name or your location, people who are not familiar with it will find it difficult to type in. Google just searches for what has been put in and there if the name is misspelt, the browser will not return the correct results. So, avoid a long windy and complicated name which can make you lose valuable customers.
2) Keep It Short
It is very hard for people to remember long names or get the spelling correct when typing into a web browser. Keeping it short helps your visitors and customers get it easy first time
3) Use Key Words
Key words are the terms people generally type in a web browser when they search for information. If someone is searching for music classes they may use for example (music classes, guitar classes or even drumming classes. If you use the terms people use to search in your domain name and web page, people are likely to find your website when they are searching for the kind of business you offer.
4) Target Your Area
People in your locality look for services in their locality. If your business is local, then try to include this. There is no point searching for a takeaway pizza shop two miles away.
5) Avoid Numbers, Hyphens and Characters
This can be very confusing for your service users
6) Easy To Remember
People have busy lifestyles and may not be keen on memorizing complicated names
7) Do A Search
Once you came up with the right name, research it to ensure that it is not registered by someone else or trademarked
8) Register It Immediately with A Domain Registrar
Once your domain name is registered to you, it will not be available for anyone else wanting to register the same name.
9) Do Not Buy A Name That Is Similar
If you buy a name that is like a well-known name, chances are that customers may confuse your business and may even go to your competitors unknowingly which can cost you a great deal of business.
Domain Extensions
Domain names have extensions at the end and the type of business or service will determine the extension. Here are some examples; –
.org – Community organisations such as Charities
.ac – Academic institutions such as universities
.edu – Education institutions such as universities, colleges, training institutions
.com or .co – are used for businesses, commercial sites, and companies
.gov – Governments
.info – for information sites
.biz – for businesses
.me – personal sites
Buy a domain that you can build a brand around
Since domain name are cheap, you can buy various extensions. This will prevent other people buying similar names. It can easily confuse your customers and you can lose business to your competitors.