You’ve come up with a compelling idea for a new project or business. You know you need a website where your audience can learn more about it, but you must purchase a domain name before getting started with the build. Unsure how to proceed, you find yourself feeling stuck.
If choosing from the infinite possibilities feels like a daunting task, you’re not alone. Many people feel intimidated by the process. In this blog post, you’ll learn why domain names are important and discover a few simple guidelines that will help you move forward with confidence. Paired with a little creativity and some strategic thinking, you’ll soon lay the foundation for a strong online presence.
Why Does Your Domain Name Matter?
You might wonder why it’s important to choose a good domain name. After all, its primary function is to help your audience navigate to your website. But your domain name is also your audience’s first impression of your site. It’s the first step towards establishing a strong online presence.
A memorable domain name conveys your brand and makes your site easy to find. It also makes your website’s purpose clear. On the other hand, poorly chosen domain names have the power to confuse customers, make your website difficult to find, and even spark legal disputes if trademarks are involved.
For these reasons, it’s important to choose a domain name that reflects your brand identity, is relevant to your website’s purpose, and is easy for your audience to remember. Doing so will set you up for success and prevent issues from arising in the future.
How to Choose Your Domain Name in Six Steps
In six easy steps, you can brainstorm potential domain names, verify that they’re not already in use, choose the one that makes the most sense for your site, complete your purchase — and even start building your website.
1. Brainstorm potential domain names
Get out a sheet of paper, and write down any words that are relevant to your site. Now you have something to work with. Consider how these words can be combined to create new words. You could also change the ending of a common word by adding a suffix, such as -ly, -fy, -full, or -ism.
2. Go to WordPress.com’s domain name search tool
This online tool allows you to explore any domain name relevant to your future website. Along the way, you can choose from over 350 TLDs.
3. Enter your desired domain name, then click the “Search” button
From this page, you can filter by both popular and niche TLDs, from .com, .net, and .org to .blog, .studio, and even .coffee. If your desired name and TLD pairing are available, you can move forward with your purchase. If not, you can delete the text, type in your second choice, and start a new search.
4. Click “Select” to buy your chosen domain name.
You’ll be given the option to simply buy the domain name or start building your website with a paid annual subscription. If you choose the latter option, you’ll get the domain free for the first year. No matter the option you choose, you can always add a site plan later.
It’s important to note that you don’t have to host your site with WordPress.com. You can instead use WordPress.com’s DNS service to host your domain anywhere you choose.
5. Choose the option that makes sense for you
On the next page, you’ll enter your contact information and add your payment method before finalizing your purchase. Every domain you purchase comes with private domain registration to protect your privacy, as well as a three-month free trial of WordPress.com’s Professional Email service. You also gain access to 24/7 email and live chat support.
6. Manage your domain from a single interface
Once you’ve purchased a domain name, you’ll be able to manage your subscription, name servers and DNS records, and domain security settings, as well as update your contact information as needed. You can also transfer previously purchased domains from other providers to make them easier to manage from a single dashboard.
Eight Tips for Choosing a Domain Name
Adopt the following best practices to select a domain name that you’re happy with in the long term.
1. Keep it concise
Short domain names are easier to remember and take less time to type, which helps your audience quickly locate your website. Short domain names also appear more credible, which preserves trust in your brand.
2. Include your brand name
Inserting your brand name into your domain name helps your audience distinguish your website from others. When your audience sees your domain name online, they’ll instantly recognize that it’s associated with your brand. You’ll also gain the trust of your audience by having an official online presence.
3. Consider relevant keywords
Embedding keywords into your domain name that are aligned with what you offer your audience instantly conveys your website’s purpose. It also informs search engines that your site is relevant to related search terms. Using target keywords in this manner can result in greater visibility and higher click-through rates.
4. Avoid hyphens and numbers
Numbers and special characters, like hyphens, make it harder to remember your domain name. As a result, people often land on a different website than the one they were looking for. Domain names with these characters also appear less credible and may be seen as spammy by search engines.
5. Verify that it’s fresh
By purchasing a previously used domain, you can inadvertently adopt a negative brand reputation, low-quality backlinks, and poor domain authority. You can also run into legal troubles if trademarks are in play. For these reasons, it’s a best practice to leverage the Wayback Machine to make sure that, if your domain name has existed before, it had a good reputation.
6. Differentiate it from others
Another best practice is making sure your domain name is easily distinguished from others. To minimize audience confusion, your brand should be unique and memorable. Otherwise, visitors may land on the wrong website and mistake it for yours, which could have a negative impact on your brand.
7. Make sure relevant social handles are available
If you intend to use social media to promote your site, take a moment to see if your desired social handles are available before purchasing your domain. Doing so allows you to maintain a consistent presence across all digital platforms and makes your site easier to find online. It also aids with brand recognition.
In the process, you’ll also discover if someone is already using your proposed brand name, which could lead to confusion for your audience down the road.
8. Choose an appropriate TLD
When choosing a top-level domain (TLD), keep in mind that it’s intended to convey the purpose of your website. The TLD .com, for example, was created for businesses and other commercial entities. It’s the best choice if you serve a global audience. Due to its popularity, however, this TLD is often unavailable.
Fortunately, there are countless TLDs to choose from, each with its own purpose. The .blog TLD, for example, is a smart choice for bloggers. If you’re building a technology startup, you may prefer a domain ending in .io, which stands for input-output, the transfer of data to and from computers. If you are targeting an audience in a specific region, you may prefer a country-specific TLD, such as .ca for Canada and .co.uk for the United Kingdom.
Keep in mind that the TLD you choose may impact search rankings. For example, domains that end in a geographic TLD may rank better within that region.
Advantages of Choosing a Domain Name with WordPress.com
Buying a domain from WordPress.com comes with seven distinct benefits. Keep reading to learn what they are.
1. You get a free domain for one year
If you purchase an annual plan with WordPress.com, the first year of your domain services is free of charge.
2. You get robust domain management tools
After purchasing a domain, you’ll be able to manage your subscription, name servers, DNS records, and domain security settings, as well as update your contact information — all from a single, easy-to-use dashboard.
3. You get Privacy Protection
Every domain comes with private domain registration that keeps your identity secure.
4. You get an SSL certificate
When you purchase hosting services from WordPress.com, you get a free SSL certificate that protects the data traveling to and from your website.
5. You get advanced DNS features
Domains purchased from WordPress.com come with a fast and secure DNS, also known as a domain name system.
6. You get an easy-to-use website builder
Leverage WordPress, the world’s most popular CMS, to build a gorgeous website that meets your unique needs. Alternatively, hire professionals to build your site for you with Built by WordPress.com.
Conclusion
Choosing a memorable domain name for your website is a critical first step toward building a strong online presence. It not only helps your audience find your site but also conveys your brand identity and purpose. By following these guidelines and leveraging your own creativity and strategic thinking, you can set yourself up for success in the long term.
Want more tips? Get new post notifications emailed to you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Go WordPress 