How to come up with a good domain name
Choosing a domain name can be one of the most important steps in establishing your brand or business. Your domain name is often one of the first things someone sees, and it can affect their impression of your website and your brand. A carefully chosen domain name may increase user interest and drive web traffic, while a carelessly chosen one might do the opposite.
While it isn’t an exact science, and there are few absolute rules, here are some guiding principles for picking a name that reflects and helps your brand.
The making of a good domain name
Length When it comes to a domain name, less is more. Shorter names are easier to remember and to type, which means users are more likely to find you. It’s also easier to stand out when there’s less to read. It’s a good idea not to exceed 2-3 words.
Simplicity You want people to remember your domain name and type it accurately. Complicated or uncommon words or names may be hard to remember and spell correctly.
Keywords Relevant words help users find you in a search and recognize what you do at a glance. Keywords can include what you do or offer (like “coffee” or “cleaning”), or even your location. Including your location (like “miami”) in your domain name might also help you target local customers and users.
Brand name Your domain name should reflect your brand, and vice versa. Brands can take time to develop, and including your unique brand name in your domain can help you stand out, gain recognition, and increase visits to your website. When creating your brand name and domain name, just be sure not to use any existing brand names or trademarks.
Website name While it may seem obvious, your domain name should be the same as your brand name, or as close to it as possible. You don’t want to confuse people who type in your domain name and get to a website with a different name.
Good, not perfect Many people get caught up trying to choose the perfect name, when that time could be spent building a great brand around a perfectly good domain name. Don't let choosing a perfect domain hold you back from starting your business or project.
An average domain name is better than no domain name.
Going beyond .com
The most popular domain ending or TLD (top-level domain) is .com, but there are now a wide variety of TLDs, ranging from .academy to .coffee to .photography. You can find the full list of new TLDs that Google Domains offers on this page .
With many TLDs to choose from, brands now have more options to create a distinctive domain name that quickly communicates the purpose and value of their offering. Because new TLDs haven’t been around that long, short and memorable domain names are often still available. Another plus: they don’t adversely affect your search ranking. However, a lot of people may still default to typing in .com, so many businesses also purchase the .com version of their domain name and then point that domain to their main website address.
Get the full scoop on TLDs and what’s right for you in our post about how to choose between traditional and new domain endings .
Things to avoid
Some elements could negatively impact how people perceive your domain name, such as:
- Numbers or dashes in your name. These characters are hard to type and might lower the perceived credibility of your website and business.
- Funny spellings or words that can be spelled different ways (like “way” or “too”). These might make it hard for people to find your site.
- Misspellings. These can make your site seem suspicious and make people worry it’s a phishing or malware site.
- Brand names and trademarks used by other companies. These should never be used in your domain name; trying to do so can lead to legal action and suspension of your domain.
Now that you know some important guidelines, the next steps are brainstorming, research, and seeing what domains are available. As you go through this process, be sure to brainstorm some back-up names in case the domain name you want isn’t available.
Ready to find a great domain name? Start searching now at domains.google .
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WPBeginner » Blog » Beginners Guide » How to Choose the Best Domain Name (14 Tips and Tools)
How to Choose the Best Domain Name (14 Tips and Tools)
Last updated on January 21st, 2023 by Editorial Staff | Reader Disclosure Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. See how WPBeginner is funded , why it matters, and how you can support us.
Choosing the right domain name for your website is crucial for your success. If you choose the wrong domain name, then it can be a hassle to switch later on without hurting your brand and search rankings.
That’s why it’s extremely important that you choose the best domain name from the start.
When first starting out, it can be hard to come up with catchy business name ideas with a perfect domain name.
In this article, we’ll share all the tools and tips you need to get domain name ideas, choose the best domain name, and register your new domain (for free).
Quick Tip: Here’s how to register a domain name and get it for FREE. Need help with name ideas? Try out our business name generator .
14 Tips for Choosing the Best Domain Name
When starting a blog , choosing a domain name can be stressful because you don’t want to make a mistake.
To make the process easier, we have a simple 14 step framework that you can use to pick the best domain for your website.
- Stick with .com
- Use keywords in your domain name search
- Keep your domain name short
- Make it easy to pronounce and spell
- Keep it unique and brandable
- Avoid hyphens in domain name
- Avoid doubled letters
- Leave room to expand
- Research your domain name
- Use domain generators for clever ideas
- Act quickly before someone else takes it
- Best place to register a domain name
- Get free domain with web hosting
- Most popular domain registrars
Let’s take a look at these tips one by one with more details.
1. Stick with .com
There are plenty of new domain name extensions available today, from the original .com, .net and .org to niche extensions like .pizza, .photography, and even .blog.
We always recommend choosing a .com domain name.
While it can be tempting to come up with clever blog names using new extensions, .com is still the most established and credible domain name extension.
In our opinion, newer domain extensions like .ninja, .photography, and others can make your business appear less trustworthy.
Dot-com domains are the most memorable. Many users, especially those who aren’t as tech-savvy, will automatically type “.com” at the end of every domain without thinking about it.
If your website is something like jane.photography, and your users accidentally type in jane.photography.com, they will end up on an error page on photography.com website.
It’s smart to avoid that risk by sticking with .com.
Not to mention, most smartphone keyboards automatically have a .com button.
2. Use Keywords in Your Domain Name Search
Keywords play an important role in a domain. By using keywords in your domain name, you tell the search engines what your website is about. Together with quality content and good user experience, keywords in your domain can help you rank higher in Google.
It is very hard to find a good domain with your target keywords, that’s not already taken.
You will need to be creative and combine your keywords with other words to make your domain stand out.
3. Keep Your Domain Name Short
While keywords are important, don’t go overboard with domain length. It’s better to have a domain name that’s short and memorable.
We recommend keeping your domain name under 15 characters. Longer domains are harder for your users to remember.
Not to mention, users will also be more prone to entering typos with longer domain names which can lead to loss traffic.
That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your domain length short.
4. Make Your Domain Name Easy to Pronounce and Spell
You should be able to easily share your domain name when speaking as well as writing. You never know when you’ll be asked to share your domain name in person.
If you’re planning to use your domain name to create a professional business email address , then it definitely should be easy to understand and spell for any listener.
5. Keep it Unique and Brandable
Your blog domain name must be unique, so you can stand out in your readers’ minds. It’s smart to research other blogs in your niche and find out what domain names they’re using.
You don’t want to accidentally use a trademark name or get accused of copying another blogger.
You can also choose to pick a domain name that’s more brandable.
Brandable domain names are unique, catchy, and memorable. For example, “Amazon.com” is a much more brandable name than “BuyBooksOnline.com.”
6. Avoid Hyphens in Domain Name
Never create a domain name with hyphens. Hyphens can be a sign of spam domains which you do not want to be associated with.
Hyphenated domains are also prone to typos. If you choose a domain name with hyphens because the domain you want is already taken, then your users will likely end up at your competitor’s site if they forget to type in the hyphen.
7. Avoid Double Letters
It’s a good idea to avoid domains with doubled letters, because it increases your chances of losing traffic to typos. For example, a domain like Presssetup.com will be more prone to typos, and result in lost traffic.
Avoiding doubled letters will also make your domain easy to type and more brandable.
8. Leave Room to Expand
It’s smart to choose a domain name that’s related to your industry / niche because it gives users some idea of what your website is about. But you also don’t want to limit your long term options too much.
For example, a florist might choose a domain name like orchidblog.com, but then they may want to start blogging about other flowers beside orchids. In that case, the domain might prevent you from attracting readers interested in other flowers.
Properly moving your site to a new domain can be a frustrating process, and it can cause you to lose search rankings if you don’t do it right. That’s why it is important to pick a flexible domain name from the start.
9. Research Your Domain Name
Before you register a domain name, try to find out if there is already a registered business using the same name.
You can perform a trademark search to see if there is already a similar or exact name already trademarked.
You can also perform a Google search and check for the name’s availability on top social media websites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
A similar or matching name would not only cause confusion, but it could also have severe legal implications which may cost you a lot of money.
Once you have your own website up and running, you can learn more about how to trademark and copyright your website name and logo .
10. Use Domain Name Generators for Clever Ideas
Currently, there are more than 360 million registered domain names. This leads to many people saying that all good domains are already taken.
Searching for individual domain name manually can be very time consuming.
This is where domain name generators come in. These free tools automatically search for your defined keywords to find hundreds of clever domain name ideas.
We recommend using Nameboy , which is one of the oldest and most popular domain name generator tool online.
You can also use WPBeginner’s free Business Name Generator tool , or IsItWP’s domain generator to find more domain name ideas.
11. Act Quickly Before Someone Else Takes it
Each day thousands of new domain names are registered from all parts of the world. If you have found a domain name that you like, then don’t wait too long.
Domain names are like real estate. Thousands of people are actively looking for good brandable domain names that they can register for better rates in the future.
If you don’t act fast, then someone may go ahead and register your domain idea.
Since domain names are relatively cheap, we always recommend our readers to act fast. If you change your mind later, then you can simply let it expire.
Best Places to Buy a Domain Name
There are hundreds of domain registrars on the web. It’s important to choose carefully because it can be difficult to move your domain later on.
Just like with web hosting , pricing for domain registrations can vary anywhere from $9 to $24. You can even get it for free*.
Let’s take a look at how you can easily buy a domain name.
Free Domain Registration with Web Hosting
Majority of web hosting companies also offer domain registration as a service. Some of those companies offer free domain registration with new hosting accounts.
If you’re starting a new website , then it’s a smart idea to take advantage of this offer and get your domain name for free.
Below are the two WordPress hosting companies that are offering our users over 60% off web hosting, free SSL certificate, and a free domain name:
Bluehost is one of the oldest and largest brand name when it comes to web hosting. They’re an official “WordPress” recommended hosting provider.
Hostinger , DreamHost , and HostGator also offer free domain name with web hosting.
It’s important to keep in mind that most hosts offer free domain registrations for 1 year only. After the first year, your domain registration will renew at usually around $14 per year.
A lot of users take advantage of the free domain for the first year because you would have to pay for the domain name regardless, why not get it for free.
Most Popular Domain Registrars
If you just want to register a domain name without purchasing hosting, then you can do that by purchasing it from a domain name registrar .
Domain.com is one of the best domain registrars on the market. They offer all top-level domain names, with a smart search feature, premium domains, and all the necessary tools to manage your domain names.
Domain.com is offering WPBeginner readers a 25% discount, and our domain.com coupon should be automatically applied on your purchase.
Network solutions is another popular domain registrar with over 7 million domains registered.
They’re offering our users 25% off discount with Network Solutions coupon code: WPBEGINNER .
GoDaddy is the largest domain registrar in the world. They manage over 63 million domain names for over 14 million customers.
They also offer web hosting plans as well. If you use our GoDaddy coupon code , then you can get a free domain name.
Related: 7 Best GoDaddy alternatives that are cheaper and more reliable.
Final Thoughts
If you are starting a blog for the first time, then you may find our ultimate guide on how to start a WordPress blog helpful because it walks you through everything step by step.
You may also want to check out our WordPress and Blogging Coupons page to find the best deal on other web tools and services.
For more domain name ideas, you can see our post on the 14 best free domain name generators or just use the WPBeginner’s AI powered business name generator that also checks domain name availability.
That’s all. We hope this article helped you understand how to choose a perfect domain name for your blog or business.
If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook .
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Editorial Staff at WPBeginner is a team of WordPress experts led by Syed Balkhi with over 16 years of experience building WordPress websites. We have been creating WordPress tutorials since 2009, and WPBeginner has become the largest free WordPress resource site in the industry.
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Reader Interactions
47 comments leave a reply.
Mark Tyler says
Feb 17, 2023 at 1:12 am
It helps me a lot thanks for sharing this valuable information
WPBeginner Support says
Feb 17, 2023 at 9:55 am
You’re welcome!
Khaled Alhadary says
Mar 26, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Thank you very much for detailed and useful comments, I have a question please in regards to choosing my domain name… does it make a difference in SEO if my keyword(s) is at the beginning or the end of my domain name? does it make any difference with SEO algorithms?
Mar 29, 2021 at 11:22 am
The order of your keyword would not make a difference.
Nov 18, 2020 at 3:49 pm
This is a great roundup of reminders, thank you! One thing I would also suggest, is to look carefully at “hidden words” inside your domain name, that you may have not thought of, that are spelled inside the domain. Some can actually be embarrassing.
Nov 19, 2020 at 10:02 am
Irfan Khan says
Sep 12, 2020 at 11:06 pm
Thank You Brother, thanks for this detailed information on choosing a good domain. Speaking honestly, I was unaware of that trademark search. Thank you for mentioning that point. I will research all my existing domains as you suggested.
Thank you again for the information.
Sep 15, 2020 at 11:56 am
Sep 2, 2020 at 9:30 pm
Why buy a domain at a site like godaddy, etc when you get a free domain when you start from any of the site builders?
Sep 8, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Ms C.C. says
Aug 15, 2020 at 9:39 pm
This article was right on time! It was extremely helpful and had all the information I needed. Easy to follow, links were accurate and useful.
Aug 17, 2020 at 3:22 pm
Jennifer says
Aug 15, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Thanks for these tips. Is it possible to start working on developing your site BEFORE selecting the domain name? I want to make sure I pick the right name so I’m giving it some time to percolate in my brain before making a decision, but I’d like to go ahead and get started on designing my site. Is this possible? Most options I see force you to select the domain name before moving forward.
Aug 17, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Thank you for letting us know. To start testing and creating a site before choosing a domain, we would recommend installing WordPress locally following our guide below:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/how-to-install-wordpress/#installlocal
Larry Nichols says
Jun 28, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Extremely impressed with the information that you provided in this article, I gained the needed information that I was looking for from this article. I appreciate you making this information available to those sincerely looking for the correct and reliable information.
Jun 30, 2020 at 11:13 am
Apr 26, 2019 at 9:27 am
how to hide main domain title name from subdomain WordPress title in google search. I have just created a subdomain for my site and Yoast SEO. I am sure everything and I doubled checked everything. But my when I google my subdomain my main domain title is showing next to the post, plz any can help me with this issue?
Apr 26, 2019 at 11:11 am
That would normally be determined by your theme’s styling, if you reach out to your theme’s support they should be able to let you know if there is an option to remove that.
Adam White says
Apr 22, 2019 at 5:34 am
Thanks for the information & tips about how one can choose a perfect domain name according to the niche the website will be about, it was great to read all the tips and they are very useful. Keep sharing and posting.
Apr 22, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Apr 20, 2019 at 7:57 am
Suppose you want to affiliate with another company. How do you go about creating a domain or sub-domain name?
Apr 22, 2019 at 1:30 pm
It would depend on the specific hosting provider for how to create subdomains for your domain
Sarah Piché says
Mar 19, 2019 at 3:31 pm
I just finished my PhD and have looked at various grad students, postdocs and academics websites and was wondering if simply using your name as domain name was a good idea? Provided of course that you remove hyphens, accents, etc.
Mar 20, 2019 at 10:34 am
If you wanted it to be a personal site you certainly could do that
Mar 5, 2019 at 10:12 am
Great Post Thanks for Shearing. i Read your Blog every day.Please write more about this topics.
Mar 5, 2019 at 11:02 am
Omolara says
Jan 6, 2019 at 3:11 am
Thanks WPB for this post, it was really helpful.
Jan 8, 2019 at 10:39 am
Jerry Peres says
Oct 10, 2018 at 4:20 am
Hello! Firstly, thanks for sharing this blog. No doubt I have already read many such blogs but this one is special in many ways for me. I like all top domain hosting and domain providing companies you have discussed here. Definitely, many other also like your blog.
Paige Za'nay says
Aug 26, 2018 at 11:24 am
Thank you for the information and keep up the great work you do.
Jerome K says
Aug 10, 2018 at 2:31 pm
This was very informative, and very much appreciated so I shared to my LinkedIn profile. Keep up the great work and research you do.
Manjinder Kaur says
Jul 22, 2018 at 5:53 am
Bob O’Brien says
Jan 3, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Very informative site thank you. Question: Does it matter if the main subject word is not at the beginning of the domain name.
Shubhaji Satyaranjan says
Dec 26, 2017 at 6:18 am
It’s really useful for beginners like me. Thank you very much for your support
ROHIT SHARMA says
Dec 16, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Michelle says
Aug 18, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Aug 1, 2017 at 8:43 pm
if my name.com has gone is using .blog, .site or .online a good alternative? Like to know how and if they would rank well
JaDonnia B. says
Jul 28, 2017 at 4:01 am
Is a .net domain equally as detrimental to SEO? The .com sites are very limited. Some registrars will provide suggestions when the chosen name is already taken. What then? Hyphens, underscores, and symbols are suggested as options.
Biresh Kumar says
Apr 7, 2017 at 7:20 am
Very interesting for beginners.
Ali A Mubarak says
Mar 7, 2017 at 2:47 am
So, wpbeginner.com was made based on its niche right, which is WordPress. SO if this website posts about Blogger then it will be untrusted by the readers. That’s what you mean?
Lieven Decroos says
Jan 4, 2017 at 9:25 am
What about using figures in the email addrerss , f.ex twoexample, or 2example?
Jan 4, 2017 at 8:12 pm
Hey Lieven,
You will have to inform users whether it has digits or alphabate. Like whether its two or 2 in your domain name.
Ilyas Tarar says
Dec 30, 2016 at 1:49 am
Thank you WPBeginner editorial staff for this nice little guide. After reading this, I can safely direct my blog readers to this page for further guidance on domain name selection.
Jay Castillo says
Dec 29, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Thanks to your recommendation for Siteground (I made sure I used your link), I just finished moving my blog to their cloud hosting. I’m so glad I’m now with them.
I also got my free domain name and I’m happy I followed most of your tips here. It was actually very difficult to find a short but brandable domain name with keywords.
By the way, for those thinking of getting a free domain with Siteground, you should specify a new domain during initial signup. My mistake was I specified my existing blog during signup and I could no longer find a way to get the free domain.
I then contacted support and they made an exception and registered a new domain for me anyway… nice!
By the way, is the domain name in Siteground free for life as long as you stay with them, or only for a year?
Dec 30, 2016 at 1:20 am
The domain is free as long as you host your site with SiteGround. However, if you decide to move your site to a different host in the future, then you can transfer your domain registration.
Vinit Patil says
Dec 29, 2016 at 8:53 am
Hello Sir Very Helpful Post,
Does having a free domain with .tk extension matter inSEO Rankings ??
Dec 30, 2016 at 1:29 am
Most likely it will badly affect your SEO.
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13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name
Updated: August 08, 2022
Published: December 28, 2020
What's in a name? When it comes to your brand, a lot.
Choosing the right domain name for your company is so important — ultimately, it's how your audience will find and remember you.
A custom domain will help your website stand out from the crowd and possibly even boost your SEO. But with over 360 million domain names registered , it can be hard to find one that is unique.
If you are having trouble brainstorming or finding that all of your domain name ideas are already in use, you're not alone. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to help craft the best domain name for your business or blog.
How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business
If you are ready to establish a presence online for your business, you'll want to choose a domain name that matches your brand. This way, customers can easily find and trust your site. There are a few steps you can keep in mind when choosing your domain name.
1. Use a .com extension.
You've surely visited many websites, and it's not hard to see that the most popular domain extension is .com , while other trusted or common options include .org and .net.
But options range widely, and can include everything from .xyz to .co to .cafe to .pizza. But be careful choosing a more whimsical option, as they can come across as unprofessional or untrustworthy.
If .com is available, go with it. If you are set on a domain but its .com variant is unavailable, .org, .net, or .co are also decent alternatives.
Pro-Tip: Most free website builders allow you to build a site for free, but they require a paid subscription to connect a custom domain. If you want a fully branded website, build yours on a CMS that allows you to connect a custom domain for free .
2. Keep it short and simple.
If your domain name is long, it'll be harder for people to remember, which could spell out less traffic for you. WebsiteSetup.org recommends a domain name that is 6-14 characters in length.
Beyond that, a short domain name isn't helpful if it is hard to spell or pronounce, as users will likely lose their way when trying to type your website URL.
3. Avoid hyphens, numbers, and doubled letters.
Each of these elements is another hurdle for users to attempt to jump just to access your website. It's not exactly intuitive to keep these characters in mind, and doubled letters can make the domain name messy and hard to read.
Not to mention, all of these elements are susceptible to becoming typos as users try to search the internet for your business website. If you're sharing your website via word-of-mouth to clients, it's also much harder to convey the domain name clearly when it is jumbled with hyphens, numbers, and the same letters back-to-back.
4. Stay unique, specific, and on-brand.
With all of these things to keep in mind, it can be hard to brainstorm a domain name that is clear and concise while also remaining unique and true to your business.
But it's certainly doable. Keep your business name and what you sell at the front of your mind, and dig into your niche to make sure your domain name is also attracting the online audience you want.
5. Add keywords.
Without going overboard — remember, we want something short and sweet here — do some keyword research to help direct your domain name.
When you hone into keywords, you'll also benefit from an SEO boost from your domain name and your brand. As you brainstorm keywords, look for options with low- to medium- competition so you have a chance to rank, and make sure the keywords will reflect your brand.
6. Do your research.
Aside from keyword research , there's nothing worse than dreaming up what seems like the perfect domain name only to find yourself in hot water for unknowingly infringing on a trademarked domain.
Ensure your chosen domain is truly original to you to avoid dealing with legal troubles and the painstaking process of finding yet another unique, SEO-friendly domain name.
How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Blog
Like finding a domain name for a business, choosing a domain name for your blog has many similar steps. But because businesses can start offline, you might not even have a name chosen for your blog yet!
Luckily, this means you have a better chance of finding a blog name and domain name that are a perfect match, but you'll need to put in some elbow grease to find something unique. According to Blogging.org, there are more than 500 million blogs on the internet. But don't be discouraged! Here are some steps to help you find the right domain name for you.
1. Consider domain extensions.
As stated above, .com is the top domain extension for you to consider. For a blog, you might want to get creative with some of the newer, creative options, but your content will be easiest to find if you stick with a classic, common domain extension. Go for .com if you can, then move onto other popular options like .net or .co.
2. Avoid vague or generic options.
While you want to have a clear, easy-to-remember domain name, you also don't want it to be so basic that it is lost in the shuffle. Opt for something that is catchy, memorable, and brandable.
3. Ensure your domain is unique.
Outside of just being punchy and memorable, your blog domain should be unique. Make sure it represents your brand and content while also standing out from competitors.
For example, HubSpot is certainly unique and comes to mind quickly. It's easy to type, spell, and pronounce. It might not have succeeded with a more generic name like marketinghub.com, marketingonline.com, or marketinginformation.com. In fact, if you search "marketing," HubSpot is one of the top options — but more generic domain names are nowhere to be found.
4. Capture keywords.
If you'd like an SEO boost right from the start, you can incorporate keywords into your domain name.
Of course, make sure this doesn't sacrifice the length, originality, or brand integrity of your blog, but if there are keywords that would play well with another short, unique word or two, consider adding them to your domain name.
5. Make it easy to type and pronounce.
Sure, your blog name is unique, but if no one knows how to pronounce it or type it as a URL, your traffic numbers might suffer as a result.
If a domain name is confusing, it's more likely that users will have typos and get lost as they try to find your blog. Make it easy for them, and avoid hurting your traffic numbers, by choosing a simple, clear domain name.
6. Move quickly.
With millions of domain names online today — and additional names getting registered every minute — once you've decided on a domain name, don't hesitate to register it.
You can learn more about setting up a domain name with the free HubSpot course, " WordPress Training Course: Learn How to Build a WordPress Website Using Elementor ," which can help you get your website established and your domain set up quickly and simply.
Domain names are hot commodities, but they are also pretty affordable. As long as your idea isn't trademarked or already in use, grab it before it's gone! You can always change it later if you decide it just isn't working.
Domain Name Generator
This is a lot to digest, we understand. But just as there are generators to help you find excellent hashtags and keywords, there are also tools to help you find domain names.
You can take some of the keywords and brand-related words you've brainstormed through the above tips and add them to a domain name generator, which will use those words and related words to create lists of available domain names.
Even if you don't pick a domain name exactly from the generator, it can help inspire your team to find a domain name that is perfect for your business or blog. Here are some of the top domain name generators to try.
If you have one word that you just keep coming back to, try typing it into Wordoid, which will give you ideas that contain that word. Wordoid also focuses on domains that are around 10 characters, although you can set a character limit from five to 15 if you have a length in mind.
Looka's Business Name Generator can generate dozens of business names by abstract idea (like creativity) and industry. It will automatically check if domain names and social names are available — and if they're not, offer alternatives. It will also include a few logo ideas so you can get your website up and running as quickly as possible.
The oldest domain generator on the internet, Nameboy is a trusted, popular source for finding an original domain name. Enter one or two keywords, and Nameboy brings up a list of unique options to choose from. Nameboy also has specific generators for blog names , brand names , and business names , among others, all of which could work hand-in-hand with your search for a domain name.
The IsItWP domain name generator is a simple, straightforward, and fast tool to help you turn a brand name and keywords into a unique and effective domain name. It's also integrated with BlueHost, so if you find a domain name you love, you can register it right away for free if you use BlueHost to host your website.
5. Instant Domain Search
Instant Domain Search is another easy-to-use option that starts generating ideas as you type. This domain generator will show available domains as well as taken options that are available for sale.
Establish Brand Identity by Picking the Perfect Domain Name
Your domain name might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of creating a website, but it reflects your business to potential customers or audiences right away.
If it's long or confusing, many people will never be able to find your business or blog site. If your domain name doesn't match or at least complement your brand name, it can come across as unprofessional or even spammy.
On the flip-side, a well-researched and thought-out domain name can boost your rankings in search engine results and provide audiences with a clear idea of what to expect when they visit your site. As such, it's important to take the time to find a domain name that is just right for you.
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How to choose a domain name
Figuring out how to choose a domain name is similar to figuring out how to choose a company name — it requires a lot of thought and consideration. Your domain name is your identity on the web; you want to make sure you choose a domain name that not only fits your business, but is also easy to find and promote.
In a hurry? Check out our synopsis here:
How to choose a domain name that gets results.
- Choose a domain name that is easy to type.
- Keep it short.
- Use keywords.
- Target your area.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens.
- Be memorable.
- Research it.
- Choose a domain name extension that fits.
- Protect and build your brand.
Follow the steps below to help you pick the perfect domain name. And if you want to learn even more about domain names, check out “ What is a domain name ” for in-depth information.
1. Choose a domain name that is easy to type
Choosing a domain name that’s easy to type is critical to online success. If you use slang (u instead of you) or words with multiple spellings (express vs. xpress), it might be harder for customers to find your site.
2. Keep it short
If your domain name is long and complex, you risk customers mistyping or misspelling it. Short and simple is the way to go.
3. Use keywords
Try using keywords that describe your business and the services you offer. For example, if you’re a glass replacement business, you may want to register GlassRepair.com or GlassReplacement.com.
It helps improve your rank on search engines (which increases traffic) and just makes more sense to your customers.
4. Target your area
If your business is local, consider including your city or state in your domain name to make it easy for local customers to find and remember. Example: PhoenixGlassRepair.com.
Editor’s note: From .boston to .vegas , you’re likely to find a geographic domain extension that suits your business.
5. Avoid numbers and hyphens
Numbers and hyphens are often misunderstood — people who hear your website address don’t know if you’re using a numeral (5) or it’s spelled out (five) or they misplace or forget the dash. If you need these in your domain, register the different variations to be safe.
6. Be memorable
There are millions of registered domain names, so choosing a domain that’s catchy and memorable is essential. Once you’ve come up with a name, share it with close friends to make sure it sounds appealing and makes sense to others.
Quick solution: Got a great idea for a domain? Search for a domain name today and attach it to a website or one of your social media profiles to help build your brand online.
7. Research it
When you choose a domain name, make sure the name you’ve selected isn’t trademarked, copyrighted or being used by another company. It could result in a legal mess that could cost you a fortune, as well as your domain!
As the largest reseller of aftermarket domain names, GoDaddy has access to extensive data that we use to analyze millions of historical domain sales. Try out GoDaddy Domain Appraisals to determine the value of your domain, so you can name your business with purpose.
8. Choose a domain name extension that fits
Extensions are suffixes, such as .com or .net , at the end of web addresses. These can have specific uses, so make sure to choose one that works for your business. The .com domain extension is far and away the most popular, but it can be tough to get a short and memorable .com domain name because it’s been around for so long.
A bevy of new generic top-level domains — like .co , .io , .xyz and .ai or .me domains — offer a great opportunity to register short and highly relevant names. And here are some other top extensions and how they’re often used:
- .co : an abbreviation for company, commerce, and community.
- .info : informational sites.
- .net : technical, Internet infrastructure sites.
- .org : non-commercial organizations and nonprofits.
- .biz : business or commercial use, like e-commerce sites.
Pro tip: You don’t need to build a website for every domain. Just forward any additional domains to your primary website .
Editor’s note: You can use GoDaddy’s promo codes to get discounts on .com domains .
9. Protect and build your brand
To protect your brand, consider purchasing various domain extensions, as well as misspelled versions of your domain name. This prevents competitors from registering other versions and ensures your customers are directed to your website, even if they mistype it.
10. Act fast
Domain names sell quickly. Thankfully, many domain names are also inexpensive , so register your favorite domain names as soon as possible.
If you’re having trouble finding an available name, domain registrars like GoDaddy will suggest alternate names during your domain search to help you find the perfect domain name.
Read more on the topic on our article How much does a domain name cost .
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Try out our free business name generator also.
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10 Tips for Choosing a Good Domain Name
Nick Schäferhoff
Editor in Chief
How thoroughly should you think about your domain name? Is it really that important?
If you have a quality website and business, people will visit your site no matter what the domain is, right?
Well, not so fast…
You see, your domain name is the key element of your website. It can make or break you, so it’s crucial to choose a domain name that works for your business.
But wait, why is your domain name so important?
- It’s your “first impression”. Your URL is the first thing your visitors will see. A good domain name can make a positive and lasting impression, while a bad domain name can send visitors running.
- It affects SEO. While exact match domains (EMDs) are no longer a necessity , keywords in your domain name can still help your SEO ranking.
- It defines your brand. We’ll talk about this in a minute – your domain name is a branding opportunity! The right domain name can increase brand recognition.
These elements are only a few of the many reasons why your domain name is so important.
How do you choose the right domain name? That’s precisely what we’re going to share with you today.
Table of Contents:
- Use .com, .org or .net (most popular ones)
- Brandable over generic
- Shorter is better
- Easy to type
- Easy to pronounce
- Avoid hyphens and numbers
- Consider using a keyword that reflects your website
- Think long-term over a short term
- Check if it’s not trademarked
- Use domain name generators when stuck
How to Come Up With a Good Domain Name
1. use the right domain name extensions (.com, .org, .net).
When you choose your domain name extension, you can be sure of one thing: “.com” is still the best.
According to research from Domain Name Stat, 37% of all domains have the “.com” extension.
Why? Well, “.com” is the most familiar and easiest to remember.
While there are many successful websites with a “.net” and “.org”, your website will probably do better if it has a “.com” extension. It’s the safest bet.
Our advice : Go with .com. If that’s taken, try .net or .org. If these are taken too, you’d be better off brainstorming a new domain name. And oh! – Avoid those weird extensions like “.club”, “.space”, “.pizza” and so on.
2. Brandable Over Generic
Creative and brandable are always better than generic.
Remember: Your domain name is how visitors will find, remember, and share your company on the web. It is the foundation of your brand.
Here’s the main difference between a brandable and generic domain name:
A brandable domain name is unique and stands out from the competition, while a generic domain name is usually stuffed with keywords and unmemorable.
For example, do you know the difference between Healthinsurance.net, Newhealthinsurance.com, or Healthinsurancesort.com? Probably not, right?
These are horribly generic. They don’t have any meaning. You won’t hear anyone talking about how awesome “Insurance.com” is. Variations of the word “insurance” will increase the competition and make it blend in even more.
Sites like UnitedHealthCareOnline.com and Anthem.com stand out because they stand for something. When people hear those domain names, there is a trust factor there.
Here’s how to find a more brandable domain name:
- Create new words. You can make up your own catchy, new words. That’s what Google, Bing, and Yahoo did.
- Use existing words. You can use a thesaurus to find interesting words that fit your brand.
- Use domain name generators. These tools can help you create a unique, brandable domain name from your initial domain ideas and keywords. (We’ll highlight some of our favorite domain name generators later in this post.)
3. Short Is Better Than Long
In general, when it comes to the length of your domain, shorter is better.
According to research from Domain Registration.com , the most common name length is approximately 12 characters.
(Popularity, in this case, refers to the amount of web traffic the site receives.)
All of this data shows that you should keep your domain name concise.
Aim for 6-14 characters – and remember the shorter, the better. Most likely the shorter domain names are taken a LONG time ago and sold for thousands of dollars. If you can’t find something short, make it brandable.
Our own site – websitesetup.org is exactly 12 characters.
4. Make Sure It’s Easy To Type
Think of some of the most popular websites in the world. What comes to mind?
Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yahoo, CNN…
One big thing they have in common is that they’re all easy to spell.
Your visitors should be able to type your domain name without a problem. If you have to explain the spelling more than once for it to be understood, it’s too complicated!
The last thing you want is for the potential visitors to mistype your domain and end up on a different website!
Here’s an easy way to test this…
Tell 10 people your potential domain name and ask them to spell it. If more than a few people struggle to spell it, you need to simplify it.
5. Make Sure It’s Easy To Pronounce
As easily as your domain name rolls off the tips of your fingers, it should roll off the tip of your tongue.
This makes it easier for visitors to share your domain name by word-of-mouth and makes it easier for you to share your site with friends and potential customers.
You can test this the same way as with the “spelling”.
Write your domain name on a piece of paper and ask 10 people to pronounce it. If more than a few people struggle to pronounce it, you should simplify it.
Here’s what to keep in mind: You want your domain name to be passed along easily by you and others. The only way for that to be possible is if it’s 1) easy to spell and 2) easy to pronounce.
6. Avoid Hyphens And Numbers
Remember how your domain name should be easy to spell and pronounce? Hyphens and numbers make it more difficult.
Imagine explaining Facebook if it had a hyphen in there…
“Have you seen this new site Face-Book? There’s a hyphen in there by the way, between the ‘Face’ and the ‘Book.’”
Facebook might not have spread so quickly if that was the case.
The bottom line? Your domain name should be smooth and punchy – hyphens and numbers get in the way of that.
Stick to the letters!
7. Consider Using “Niche” Keywords That Reflect Your Website
Our website mainly about web development or helping people to create a website. Hence we chose to add a name that reflects all of it – “website”. Obviously website.com (or .org, .net) was no longer available, we simply chose “WebsiteSetup”.
Keywords can help to improve your SEO – you need to tread carefully here! If you try to awkwardly stuff keywords into your domain, it comes across as generic (like we talked about before).
If you choose to use keywords, put the keywords at the beginning of your domain. That’s where they’ll be the most powerful for your ranking.
You can find keywords with tools like Google Keyword Planner and Keywordtool.io .
8. Think Long-Term Over Short-Term
Are you ready to marry your domain? You should be because it will be one of the biggest elements that define your business and brand for years.
If you decide to change the domain in the future, it will cost you money, branding, and SEO rankings. In short – it’s a huge pain!
When you’re choosing your domain, think long-term.
For example, if your company helps businesses optimize their websites for SEO, you could choose a domain name like, “OptimizedSEO.com”
If you think there’s a chance you might expand to more general digital marketing services in the future, like email marketing, PPC, etc. then it might be wise to reconsider your domain name.
You don’t want to pin yourself down to a certain niche if you think you might expand out of that niche.
Therefore, keep your long-term vision in mind when picking your domain name.
9. Check If It’s Not Trademarked Or Already Used
Before you move forward with a specific domain name, check to see if the name is available on social media sites, as well as if there are any trademarks already registered to the name.
To build your brand, it’s ideal to have the same name across your domain and social networks. This builds familiarity and makes it easy for your visitors, fans, and customers to find you around the web.
Avoid legal issues; you should stay away from names that already have trademarks.
How can you quickly check social networks and trademarks for your potential domain name?
It’s quite easy with a tool like Knowem . Search your potential domain name – it’ll show you if it’s available throughout over 25 popular social networks and if there are any trademarks already registered to the name.
If it’s taken, consider tweaking it so that you can create original social media profiles.
10. Use Domain Name Generators When Stuck
At this point, you should have at least a general idea of some possible words to put in your domain. Some of those words may already be taken, trademarked, or just don’t have the “sound” you’re looking for.
That’s where domain name generators come into play. These generators can turn your ideas into fresh, available domains.
Here are some of our favorite domain name generators to try out:
- Wordoid This tool allows you to plug in a word; it will come up with ideas that either contain that word, begin with that word or end with that word.
- Lean Domain Search This tool matches your keyword with other keywords and generates a list of available domains.
- DomainHole This tool allows you to search keywords, find expired domains, generate new names, and more.
Ready to Register a Domain Name?
If you don’t have a domain name yet, it’s worth investing $10 to secure it before someone else takes it. Keep in mind that there are over 150 million active domain names so the best ones are taken long time ago.
If you need help registering a domain name, follow this step-by-step guide here .
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience and serve personalized content. By using our site, you consent to the use of cookies. To find out more, read our cookie policy .
How to Choose a Domain Name: 4 Simple Steps to Pick the Perfect Name
Struggling with how to choose a domain name? Picking the right domain name is one of the most important things you’ll do for your website. In addition to defining your site, your domain name will communicate important information to both human visitors and search engine bots.
Fortunately, there are a few reliable methods you can use to make your domain name as effective as possible. For example, you can research strong keywords to incorporate into your content, use a blog name generator to get ideas, and base your ultimate decision on some important criteria.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to choose a domain name that will benefit your site using four simple steps and some helpful tools.
Why it pays to put some thought into your domain name
Your domain name is your website’s home address on the Internet. And while it’s not the only thing that affects your site’s success, there are tons of reasons it’s 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 (or search engine users) an idea of what your site is all about.
- Domain names have an impact on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) .
- 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 you’ll want to consider all of your options before settling on a winner.
How to choose a domain name for your WordPress website (in 4 steps)
Obviously, we can’t tell you what domain name is right for your specific website. However, we can walk you through the process of making a careful, well thought-out selection.
These aren’t absolute rules – domain names aren’t a science (you never would’ve come up with “Google.com” by following these rules!) – but they are great best practices for most websites.
Step 1: Choose one or more keywords that represent your site
There are a lot of ways to start generating ideas for a domain name. You can simply base your site’s domain on your own name, or on your existing business. However, a key ingredient of a truly effective domain name is a strong keyword.
Using keywords in your domain name is smart for the same reasons using them in your content is. The SEO benefits can bring in more traffic by helping your site rank higher in search engine results . Plus, keywords can help potential visitors better understand your site’s focus and niche.
Fortunately, the process of researching keywords for your domain name is the same as finding effective keywords for other uses. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner and KWFinder to search for terms that have both a high search volume and (ideally) low competition. Just remember that in this case, you’re looking for a keyword that represents your website and content as a whole.
Step 2: Use a domain name generator to browse through catchy domain names
Once you have a few keyword options, it’s time to brainstorm ideas for your domain name. While you can do this without any special tools, it’s often difficult because you’ll keep running into names that are already taken.
Using a domain name generator like Domain Wheel will help simplify the process by both brainstorming for you and making sure that all its suggestions are actually available for purchase:
All you need to do is visit the website and enter a keyword into the search box. To illustrate this, let’s imagine that you’re starting an advice blog about how to train dogs. For your keyword, you’ve settled on “dog training”. Entering that term into the search bar will return these results:
As you can see, there are lots of domain name examples based on the chosen keyword. If you don’t like any of them, you can try a slightly different keyword, or scroll down for random ideas and keyword suggestions. We suggest taking your time to narrow down a shortlist of only the best website names, so that you can prepare for the next step.
Step 3: Select the best domain name based on some simple criteria
Once you’ve made your shortlist, you can finish out the process of how to choose a domain name. Part of this process is subjective – after all, it’s important to choose a domain name you like. However, there are also some simple criteria you can use to make the decision easier.
For best results, you’ll want to pick a domain name that is:
- Concise and clear. Long and confusing website names are harder to remember and easier to mistype.
- Creative and memorable. The more unique you can make your domain name (while keeping it clear and concise), the more memorable it will be.
- Easy to read and pronounce. Avoid numbers and special characters because they’re confusing when spoken aloud. It’s also worth asking your friends to pronounce it as well, so you avoid accidentally ending up on this list .
Finally, it’s also important to carefully consider your domain name’s Top-Level Domain (TLD) .
In simple terms, this is the part at the end – .com , .org , .net , and so on. For many sites, .com is the best choice, since it’s what most visitors will expect and is easiest to remember.
However, it’s getting harder and harder to find quality .com domain names, and many of the popular domain names with a .com TLD are already taken. On the flip side, people are becoming more accustomed to other extensions. So if you absolutely love a non- .com name, go ahead and buy it.
The only thing to be careful with is TLDs that apply to a specific region (like .co.uk or .ca). Google uses these to help goetarget websites, so if you choose .co.uk but your audience is primarily based in Australia, then that’s not going to be the best domain name choice. Only choose those geo-specific TLDs if you really do want to signal to Google that you primarily want to target people from that region.
Step 4: Register your new domain name
After settling on the right combination of keyword-based name and TLD, all you need to do is buy the domain name. The way you do this will often depend on the hosting provider you decide to use.
You can usually purchase a domain name during the process of signing up for a hosting plan . In addition, you can buy a domain separately through a dedicated registrar or hosting company. If you’ve chosen a name using Domain Wheel, you can even use the View Details button to go straight to a checkout page:
When you’re ready to sign up for a web hosting account, make sure you use this Bluehost link . Going through it will result in two things: (1) it is an affiliate link, which means that we receive a small commission if you buy through it, (2) it will unlock a $2.75 vs $3.95 discounted price for you . You won’t get this discount if you visit the Bluehost site in any other way.
Of course, you don’t have to get your hosting and domain name from the same place. If you pick up a domain name elsewhere, you can still connect it to your new or existing site after the fact. How this works will depend on the web host you’ve chosen. You should check out your provider’s documentation or ask their support team for assistance when making the transfer.
Final thoughts on how to choose a domain name
Learning how to choose a domain name for your site can seem intimidating at first. After all, it’s a very important decision. However, you’ll find that with a little research and the right tools, the process of securing a cool domain is surprisingly approachable.
To choose a domain name for your website, all you need to do is follow these four steps:
- Choose one or more keywords that represent your site.
- Use a domain name generator to browse through some good domain names that are available to purchase.
- Select the best domain name based on some simple criteria.
- Register your new domain name.
Do you have any questions about how to choose a domain name that’s right for your website? Ask us in the comments section below!
5 Essential Tips to Speed Up Your WordPress Site
Reduce your loading time by even 50-80% just by following simple tips..
By John Hughes
Themeisle contributor.
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How to Choose the Best Domain Name for Your Website
This post was last updated on September 27th, 2022.
Domain names , also known as URLS play a crucial role in your site’s branding and credibility, and can even affect its ranking on search results. Choosing a domain name for your website or business is an important step in establishing your online presence. A domain name is the address users type into their web browsers to reach a website, so it should reflect the nature of your business and be easy to remember.
In order to fully understand what a domain name is , you must first realize that it has a direct impact in all areas of your online presence and when creating a website :
Be perceived as a professional: Acting as your brand’s address online, a sharp and customized URL will contribute to your site’s professionalism and authoritativeness, making your company appear more polished.
Make your website easy to find: By picking a good domain name for your website, you can make it more memorable and help potential visitors find it with greater ease. A domain that suits your business and is easy to remember means more eyes on your webpage.
Give your SEO a boost: Lastly, your domain name can play a role from an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) perspective. While there are many factors that go into your website’s SEO, your domain name is a crucial element that should not be ignored.
How to choose a domain name
Use a domain name generator
Keep it short
Make it easy to type
Avoid numbers and dashes
Stay on brand
Include keywords
Pick the right domain extension
Do your research
Think long-term
01. Use a domain name generator
In order to make the brainstorming process much easier and productive, start your journey towards picking a domain name for your site with a list of options, rather than a blank page. By using a domain name generator , you’ll be able to get a broad range of ideas based on keywords or phrases related to your brand.
02. Keep it short
Technically speaking, domain names can stretch over an astounding 63 characters. Yet a domain this long would be ill-advised, making for a tedious name that’s hard to type and remember. Instead, be sure to keep your domain short.
A domain name should ideally be anywhere between 3 to 12 characters long, and the rule of thumb is to not exceed 2-3 words. If the name you had in mind happens to be longer than that, consider cutting it down or changing it altogether.
03. Make it easy to type
You don’t want potential visitors lingering over details such as spelling before hitting your page. For that reason, look for a domain name that will easily roll off the tongue - and fingers. It’s best to avoid frequently misspelled words, or anything that requires a double take before pronouncing.
Run your chosen domain name by a few friends and see if they can get it right on their first attempt. If they struggle a little, go for a different name.
In case you’re planning on using your personal name as the domain, but your last name isn’t intuitive in its spelling, use a combination of your first and middle names instead. Alternatively, combine your first name with your specialty—such as “bakingwithsam.”
Another good practice is to choose a domain name that is predictable, meaning your audience won’t have to second guess how to write it properly. With this in mind, refrain from shorthand and spell out your words. For example, go for “you” instead of “u” and be wary of words that can be spelled numerous ways (is it “ok” or “okay?”).
04. Avoid numbers and dashes
Unlike a password, your domain name shouldn’t be a string of characters that makes sense solely to you. Therefore, refrain from using special characters such as hyphens and numbers. So “gr8cakes-4all,” for example, would be an especially bad domain name.
Numbers and hyphens are too often confusing and are harder to remember and type. Numbers leave people wondering whether to go for the numeral digit or to spell them out (is it a 10 or a ten?).
Hyphens, on the other hand, are easy to overlook or misplace when typing in the web address and are not immediately within reach on most mobile keyboards. Thus, it’s best to leave them out of your domain altogether.
05. Stay on brand with your name
A great branding strategy is made up of many different elements that come together in telling one cohesive story. Make sure you align your domain name with the rest of your marketing efforts, such as your business website, social media handles and general tone and voice. Doing so will ensure that your online presence speaks the same language and gives off the right message cross-platform.
Your domain name can be either the same as your business name, a variation of it or your business name with an added keyword (as described below). If you’ve yet to name your business, spend some time thinking of a name that’s catchy and encapsulates the spirit of your brand. You can invent new words that have a nice ring to them (such as Wix and Google), look up meaningful terms in the dictionary or thesaurus, or elicit the help of a business name generator to get your ideas flowing.
Furthermore, regardless of how similar to your business or personal name you want your domain to be, you’ll need to make sure the end result is perceived as a brandable name. This will ensure that your online address is perceived as unique and is much easier to remember. For example, “bakingwithsam.com” makes a much stronger impression than “samteachesbaking.com,” in spite of following a very similar pattern and intent.
06. Include keywords for SEO
Through the practice of SEO, you can improve your chances of showing up on Google when people search for businesses such as yours. One of the best SEO tips to keep in mind is to include a relevant keyword in your domain name. This can help both site visitors and search engine bots associate your website with your main field of expertise, hence helping it rank better for that topic.
While beneficial, it’s also important to use keywords in moderation and only when they fit naturally into your domain name. If not, don’t force it, as an overly optimized domain name can come across as spammy. In other words, this strategy for SEO in domain names is valuable but not a must.
When including a keyword does work out in a natural and memorable way, then go for it. If you own a poke place called Aloha, for example, the domain for your restaurant website could be “aloahpokeshop.com.”Whereas if you’re creating a photography portfolio , adding the word “photography” or the location where you’re based to your name can be a plus—such as “jimsmithphotography.com” or “nycweddingphos.com.”
07. Pick the right domain extension
A domain extension, also known as TLD (top-level domain), is the suffix at the end of your domain name. This rightmost segment of your site’s address serves to identify some of its key elements, such as its purpose, location, or owner.
While the most common extensions are .com, .org and .net , there are many other options that can serve different needs and offer alternatives in case your first domain name choice is already taken. Let’s take a look at what some of these domain extensions are used for:
.com: Stands for “commercial,” this widespread domain extension is almost synonymous with the web. It is the most trusted and well-known TLD, and when in doubt, it’s usually the best option. The “.com” extension is associated with for-profit businesses. For example: wix.com.
.net: Referring to networks, this is the second most common extension and is generally used by service providers such as website hosting , databases and collaboration tools.
.org: Short for “organization,” this domain extension is most often used for non-profit and charitable organizations. For example: wikipedia.org.
.info: This extension is an abbreviation for “information” and is primarily reserved for informative or educational sites.
.me: An extension that’s highly fitting for an online resume, blog, portfolio website, or personal brand.
ccTLD: Country code top-Level domains are domain extensions that show off your physical whereabouts and might give your local SEO a boost. A few examples include “.de” for Germany, “.fr” for France, “.co.uk” for the United Kingdom, and more.
08. Do your research
Prior to purchasing your domain name, ensure that you’re not infringing on the competition. Research trademark and copyright databases, as well as competitor brands. Going with a domain name that has been adopted by other brands even indirectly (meaning in uses other than a domain name), could result in customer confusion and possible legal issues. It’s therefore worth spending time making an informed and well-researched decision.
Once you have chosen a domain name, it is important to make sure that the domain name is available. You can check for its availability on various web hosting or domain registration websites. The domain name registration system, for example, maintains a database of all registered domain names and their IP addresses. All of this information is freely open to the public.
09. Think long-term with your domain name
If you envision growth in your brand’s future, you might want to plan accordingly starting from early on. Purchase a few variants of your domain name to protect them from competitors, ensuring they remain in your hands.
These variants might mean different domain extensions (both the “.com” and the “.net”, for example), or similar options of the same name that can be confusing for users (such as with or without “the” at the beginning). This is especially useful as it’s possible to connect multiple domains to the same website .
Additionally, make sure that the domain name you choose won’t limit your business from expanding further down the line. For example, if your beauty parlor currently provides nail services, but you dream of one day branching out into hairdressing and spa treatments—make sure that your domain name is broad enough to encompass your future endeavors as well.
It's important also to distinguish between choosing a domain name for your personal website and your business website. When choosing for your personal site or brand you can align it closer to your own personal interests, and be creative. For your business brand you will potentially need to think more professionally and consider what your competitors are doing. If you need help finding inspiration on a name that will distinguish one from the other, use a website name generator to brainstorm ideas.
10. Act fast when securing your name
Once you have made up your mind, you should register your domain name as soon as possible in order to ensure no one beats you to it. To do this, simply find an accredited domain registrar that will deal with the ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) on your behalf. They’ll protect your domain name and ensure that it remains yours and only yours for the entire duration of your purchase.
If you’re curious as to how much a domain name costs , note that prices vary based on different factors like the domain extension and the terms you select (such as securing a domain for a longer period of time). However, there are many website hosting platforms that include the first year of domain registration for free.
By combining both a website host and a domain registration, these plans allow for an all-in-one business solution, where you can seamlessly build your website, purchase your domain, and enjoy professional online tools, all under one roof.
By Judit Ruiz Ricart
Blog Content Expert
By Eden Spivak
Design Expert & Writer
- Google & SEO
This Blog was created with Wix Blog
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- Domain Price - How Much Does a Domain Really Cost?
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- What Is a TLD? Top-Level Domains Definition and Guide
- What Is a ccTLD? Definition and Examples of ccTLDs
- Domain History - How To Check the History of a Domain Name
- Website Builder & Website Maker by Shopify
How To Choose the Best Domain Name in 2023 (7 Tips & Tools)
- by Michael Keenan
- Starting Up
- Dec 5, 2022
- 12 minute read
A domain name is more than a URL where people can find you online. It’s how you express your identity and build a brand . Of course, when choosing the right domain name, there are many things to consider. Such as:
- What should a customer feel when they hear your domain name?
- Does your domain name cover all the products and services you sell
- Should you include keywords for SEO or go with a brandable domain?
Fortunately, while domains are affordable and easy to register, it takes some effort to find the perfect domain name—which is why we put together this guide.
With domain name examples from the best ecommerce websites and tools to generate business name ideas you can start an online store right away and get selling fast.
Explore this guide 🤓
How to choose the best domain name
What to do if your domain name is taken.
- How to register your domain name
Using your domain name as a competitive advantage
Domain names faq.
- Keep your domain name short, brandable, and memorable
- Avoid hyphens and numbers
- Choose a .com domain name
- Check for other top level domains like ccTLD's or .shop
- Include SEO keywords in your domain name, if possible
- Use a domain name generator for inspiration
- Research your desired domain name
Learn more: Check out our quickstart guide on how to find the best domain name registrars .
1. Keep your domain name short, brandable, and memorable
If you’re fortunate to already have a brand name, you’ll definitely want to try and register it as your domain . This makes it easier for people to find you online and connect your business to your website. If possible, you’ll want to have the .com, but .co and .net maybe suitable alternatives.
Regardless of the name you choose, it’s incredibly important to keep it short, concise, and easy to remember.
- Keep your domain name under 15 characters
- Avoid slang (ie, don’t use “U” instead of “you”)
- Avoid words with complex spelling and meanings
For example, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s online store could have used thelacountymuseumofartstore.org. Do you see something off here? Beside the domain being too long, what stands out are the words “fart store”—not the best look for a brand selling stuff online.
Instead, the brand chose thelacmastore.org—a short, sweet, pronounceable domain name people will remember.
Some brands, like Biko , also get creative with their domain name by making it relatable, yet clear. The domain name ilovebiko.com puts shoppers in the right mindset once they land on the page.
You get the idea. Above all, make your domain name simple and brandable so people can find you online.
2. Avoid hyphens and numbers
People mistype stuff all the time—you can’t control it. But you can lower the chances of people mistyping your domain name by omitting hyphens and numbers. For example, using “4” in place of “for” could confuse people on what to type when looking for your site.
Avoiding numbers and hyphens also makes your domain name mobile friendly. When you type out a URL on a phone, you have to switch between alphabet and numeric keyboards—which leaves more room for typos, misspellings, and confusion.
You’ll want to avoid:
- Combining numbers and words: c00l-d0main.com
- Hyphens: cool-domain.com
- Abbreviations: coolest-domain4u.com
- Doubled letters: coolesttopdomain.com
One exception to these guidelines is if your brand name includes a number. Clothing retailer 3sixteen , for example, uses the domain name 3sixteen.com. It’s consistent across its branding, social media handles, and merchandise. So in this case, the domain name is identifiable and brandable, making it less likely shoppers will get confused by the number.
There are always exceptions to the rule of course, but don’t put yourself at a disadvantage from the start if you can avoid it.
3. Choose a .com domain name (but don’t worry if you can’t get one)
When it comes to choosing your domain extension, there’s debate on which one gets you more traffic. The .com extension is the most established and most credible, with over 78% of businesses using it. Many smartphones also have a “.com” key, which makes it easier to type your domain name.
That said, it’s not the end of the world if you have to “settle” for .co or .net. If for example, you can purchase the .net but the .com is selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, it may make sense to go with the latter. Of course, you do want to ensure you’re not infringing on any copyright laws where applicable—it’s better safe than sorry!
4. Check for other top level domains, like ccTLD's or .shop
Sometimes you may find a desired name unavailable with the .com extension. If that’s the case, don’t stress. Here are a few other top level domain (TLD) suffixes to consider:
A good option for brick-n-mortar businesses in a specific city, for example, .london or .boston .
A solid choice for retailers who want to reach international markets.
This is a global alternative to .com for all languages and cultures.
- .org
If you have a non-profit business, .org will help you stand out.
- .shop
This is a good alternative for ecommerce websites, because it’s clear and concise.
- .store
A good option for small business owners and online retailers.
- .trade
A good choice for wholesalers or B2B ecommerce stores.
If you’re selling in another country, like the UK or India, try to search for country code TLDs. For example, Suta, a Shopify merchant from Mumbai, uses the .in extension rather than .com. The domain name is still clean and memorable and can be found without thinking about it.
We cover the pros and cons of various extensions in our ultimate guide to domains .
5. Include SEO keywords in your domain name, if possible
Try to use keywords in your domain name search, but only if it makes sense. A keyword in your domain tells search engines what your website is about. If you have a good user experience and quality content, you could rank higher in Google search results.
You’ll need to get creative and mix keywords with your brand name to make it stand out. Start with a few broad keywords that represent your products, then add your company name.
If you sell apparel, for example, the term “apparel” could work well in your domain name. Try the formula [brand name] + [broad keyword] = [domain name]:
- Sunday + apparel = sundayapparel.com
- Diane’s + candles = dianescandles.com or candlesbydiane.com
- Cosmik + masks = cosmikmasks.com
Stick to one or two keywords. More can feel spammy and drive people away from your site.
A great example of this comes from Verve Coffee Roasters , a coffee brand from Santa Cruz, California. It chose the domain name vervecoffee.com, which covers both brand and broad keyword and is memorable and relatable for site visitors.
6. Use a domain name generator for inspiration
Feeling stuck on choosing a domain name? You can pull ideas from Shopify’s free domain name generator . Load the tool, plug in a keyword, and we’ll return popular and alternative domain names you can use for your business.
Sneak peek: Say you want to sell hats, here are a few options available right now:
Not the right domain name for you? The domain name generator also shows alternative options.
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7. Research your desired domain name
Once you pick a good domain name, you’ll want to check if the domain is already registered. You can use Shopify’s Domain Search tool to see a custom domain’s availability. Another common way to do this research is through a WHOIS lookup .
Before committing to a domain name, you’ll want to make sure that no other business is using the same one. There are three ways to check:
- Run a trademark search. Head to USPTO.gov and search the trademark database to see if anyone registered a similar name.
- Check social media. Search Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other relevant social media channels to check your name’s availability. This will come in handy when you go to create your accounts, too.
- Do a Google search. Last but not least, type your desired name into Google to see if anyone is closely tied to your brand.
Sometimes that great domain name you’re after will be registered already. In that case, there are a few options:
Try to buy it from the owner
Sometimes people buy domain names to sell to companies like yours in the future. If someone already owns the exact domain you want, try getting in touch with the owner and make an attractive offer. Find their details on the WHOIS database and contact them to discuss buying the domain. You can also do additional research by looking up the brand on social media, and noting how often the site is updated. If a domain hasn’t been updated in years, there’s a chance the owner might be willing to strike a deal.
Opt for a variation
While in an ideal world, you’d be able to snag your perfect domain name, sometimes a little variation doesn’t hurt.
Brainstorm new domain names with variations of your original one. You could switch things around and create a different version of your brand name. For example, if katysimons.com is taken by an IT consultant, try katysimonsprints.com or ksimonsillustrates.com instead for your illustration business.
You could also register a ccTLD based on where your business is located — whether it’s city-specific (.nyc, .cdmx) or country-based (.mx, .de). This could help you target customers in specific countries and boost your search ranking in international markets.
If you’re an online retailer, an easy variant you can use is [shop] + [brandname].com. For example, Horne , a Shopify merchant selling modern decor, uses shophorne.com.
You can also discover variations using a business name generator to uncover new names you haven’t thought of. When you're ready, you can search for a new domain and instantly check availability with our Domain Name Generator .
Try for a different top level domain
If your domain name is not available in the .com extension, try to get a different TLD instead. As long as the current .com domain isn’t trademarked or in a similar niche, you could register using .co, .shop, .biz, or other trustworthy TLDs.
To check for trending TLDs, head to NameStat . You can check the biggest selling and fastest growing TLDs to help decide your domain extension.
To see which TLDs to avoid, check Spamhaus , a tool that analyzes the TLDs with the worst reputations, so you can create a trustworthy domain.
Once you find some great ideas, you’ll want to take the final step in choosing a domain.
How to register your domain name
With over 370 million domain registrations, and a 3% year-over-year growth rate, you want to lock in your domain fast.
If you’re starting an ecommerce business , you can buy a domain name when registering your Shopify store rather than searching another domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
By using the Domain Name Generator , you can find and register a domain name in just a few clicks. This will save you time getting your store live, so you can start selling faster.
If you’re not ready to register your domain name yet, that’s OK. You can use an auto-generated free domain name: yourstore.myshopify.com . That way, you can design your Shopify store and buy the best domain name for you when you’re ready.
If you’re not ready to register your domain name yet, that’s OK. You can use an auto-generated free domain name: yourstore.myshopify.com. That way, you can design your Shopify store and buy the best domain name for you when you’re ready.
- The Essential Shopify Store Launch Checklist
- Ecommerce Web Design Examples
- Domain Name Services: Which Hosting Provider Should You Trust?
A domain name isn’t just a web address in someone’s browser. It’s an extension of your company and brand. Domain’s play a critical role in how you position your brand and present yourself to the digital world, whether you’re blogging or selling products online.
Your domain name doesn’t need to be overly clever for it to be perfect. Instead, choose one that is simple, memorable, and has a nice ring to it.
You’ll look more professional and gain instant credibility with your shoppers, which will likely lead to more awareness and sales for your business. You might not be the next Google, but with a little bit of luck, your domain can be a household name.
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Which domain name extension is best.
According to research from GrowthBadger , .com domains are over 33% more memorable than URLs with other top-level domains. It’s also the #1 most trusted domain name extension. When people can’t remember a URL, they’re 3.8 times more likely to assume it ends in .com.
How do I choose a good domain name?
- Keep your domain name short and memorable
- Include keywords for search engine optimization
- Research your domain name
Is a long domain name bad?
Long domain names aren’t bad, per se, but they can be difficult for people to remember and type. If a domain name is too difficult to spell, it can create a bad user experience. Avoid complicated, long domain names if possible.
How do you permanently buy a domain name?
No one can buy a domain name permanently. Domain name registration happens on a recurring basis—sometimes it can be one year, or you can prepay for a domain name for a longer period of time.
Illustration by Rachel Tunstall
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How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Writer Website
by Joe Bunting | 0 comments
Building a website for your writing is the first step to becoming a professional writer. But how do you choose the right domain name for your writer website? Read on to find out.
Also, full disclosure, some of the links below are affiliate links. If you sign up for one of the services I talk about below, it may earn me a small commission that helps me keep in coffee and Corpse Reviver no. 2 ingredients. But of course this doesn't affect your cost or influence my review of these services in any way.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is the URL or web address where your website lives. For example, my personal writer website's domain is joebunting.com .
When people type it into their browser, they will arrive at your website.
How Do You Register a Domain Name?
It's not hard or expensive to register a domain name. Most .com names can be registered for a little more than $10 per year, although some website hosts will give you a free domain, like Bluehost , my preferred host. Other domain endings, like .me, .net, .co, and even .club, can be had for different prices.
To register for a domain, it has to be available, meaning no one else has registered it. Sorry, you can't register stephenking.com.
Then you use a domain registrar, like Bluehost or Google Domains , to register the domain. NOTE: I would suggest registering your domain on the same platform you'd like to build your website on.
How do you find the best domain name for your writer website? Here are a few tips:
4 Tips To Register the Best Domain for Your Writer Website
Your domain name is one of the first branding decisions you make as you build your website. The challenge is that as the internet expands, more and more domains are registered and the best ones become scarce. How do you find one that’s both available and right for you? Here are a few important tips:
1. Look around before registering
Your first choice for a domain may already be taken, so it’s important to search before getting too far into the website building process.
You can use Google’s Domain Search tool to quickly look through different domain options
( HINT: Once you find your perfect domain, don’t register it on this tool. Instead, register it through the platform you're building your website on, for example self-hosted WordPress website hosted by Bluehost, Squarespace, or WordPress.com). You can always transfer domain names, but it’s an extra step that can be a little complicated.)
2. Unless you're creating a writing agency, use your first and last name (e.g. johngrisham.com)
If it’s available, that is.
If you want to write under a pen name, then your pen name would be the domain name, and if your name is difficult to spell, then you might consider writing under a pen name.
If your name is not available, you can use a .me, .us, or .net domain, but I wouldn’t use .org unless you write religious or service books.
I would not use a middle initial in your domain name.
You can also append a word to the end of your name, like joebuntingwriter.com or buntingbooks.com. Not as good as your author name, but it can still work.
3. Don’t use your book title as your (main) domain name
Because what will you do when you write another book? It’s fine to have a simple landing page or a basic website for each book you write ( like this one ), but not for your main author website.
4. Whatever you do, don’t include dashes in the domain
Adding a dash in between your first and last name is an easy way to get your name if it’s already taken, but it makes it a little harder for people to find you. Plus, in my opinion, it doesn’t look very good.
Ready to Register Your Writer Website Domain?
Here are a few places you can register:
Self-Hosted WordPress Website via Bluehost
Squarespace Domain Name Search
WordPress.com Domain Search
Before you choose your domain name, spend some time brainstorming. Take fifteen minutes to write out thirty possible domain names.
Then, register your domain name and tell us what you chose in the comments . ( NOTE: Don't share your domain name until you register it!)
Joe Bunting
Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).
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When placing degrees after a name, a comma should come after the last name and then the initials for the degrees in order should be included. The major or field of study isn’t specified with the initials for the degree type. Each degree abb...
There are several rules to remember when writing scientific names; the two main rules are to write the name of a plant or organism with two names, a genus or generic name first, followed by an epithet or species name.
Coming up with website name ideas doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, tons of cool website names are at your fingertips. You just need to know where to look. WebsiteSetup » Website Name Ideas How To Come Up With Cool Website Name Ideas That D...
Length When it comes to a domain name, less is more. · Simplicity You want people to remember your domain name and type it accurately. · Keywords Relevant words
Keywords play an important role in a domain. By using keywords in your domain name, you tell the search engines what your website is about.
Your domain name is one area where you don't want to put yourself into a box. While you should be specific enough to attract an audience, you
13 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name · 1. Use a .com extension. · 2. Keep it short and simple. · 3. Avoid hyphens, numbers, and doubled
Choose a domain name that is easy to type. Keep it short. Use keywords. Target your area. Avoid numbers and hyphens. Be memorable. Research it.
10 Tips for Choosing a Good Domain Name · Use .com, .org or .net (most popular ones) · Brandable over generic · Shorter is better · Easy to type
Step 1: Choose one or more keywords that represent your site · Step 2: Use a domain name generator to browse through catchy domain names · Step 3:
Use a domain name generator · Keep it short · Make it easy to type · Avoid numbers and dashes · Stay on brand · Include keywords · Pick the right
Try to use keywords in your domain name search, but only if it makes sense. A keyword in your domain tells search engines what your website is
Check the price of your domain here ➜ https://websitelearners.com/get/domaingdn18l 2nd Tool:
If it's available, that is. If you want to write under a pen