Your online identity is everything in the digital age. A great domain name is as important as your company name, particularly in a very crowded internet. At the end of 2023, there were more than 1.13 billion websites — and 82% of those were inactive. This guide will teach you how to choose a domain name that sticks.
Why Is Choosing the Right Domain Name So Important?
Your ideal domain name may very well already be taken, so it’s often necessary to get creative when creating a new domain name for your business’ website. While .com has been the primary option for websites for many years, there’s a lot more choice these days. In fact, .com domain names make up less than 40% of all domains now.
Other options for top-level domains (TLDs) will be familiar to web users, including .net, .org, .edu, and many more. Country code TLDs are also much more common, such as .us for the United States or .uk for the United Kingdom. Tech companies may choose .io, while a news site can pick .news.
12 Tips for Choosing the Right Domain Name
Figuring out how to choose a domain name isn’t easy. Here are some tips to keep in mind to find the best option for your business:
Select a name that’s easy to understand and remember
In a busy web world, a name is everything, so make sure it’s not overly complicated, vague, or hard to spell. Avoid hyphens and numbers in the name.
Consider your brand offering and how people will interpret the name
Does your domain name match what your company is offering to customers?
Be open to newer TLDs and use them creatively
Many .com domain names are already taken, so consider whether you could use something like .info or .io to expand your naming possibilities.
Use location extensions where appropriate
If your business operates in a specific country, and will continue to do so, pick a country-specific extension for local audience targeting and a regional SEO boost.
Keep the domain name short
Try not to go over 15 characters for best results.
Explore the competition
Make sure your domain name won’t be confused for competitors and drive traffic to their site inadvertently.
Consider keywords — within reason
Keeping SEO keywords in mind is helpful, but don’t rely on more than one or two.
Check if the social media handle is available
You want consistent naming across your site domain, brand, and social media handles. Use a site like Namechk to see if the handle is available across many social networking sites.
Test your options
Ask potential users or colleagues outside of your department what they think of your domain name options. Anyone using the internet can give you a candid reply.
Use an online name generator
You can use a site like LeanDomainSearch or Bust a Name to help spark your creativity, or ask ChatGPT for ideas using your own prompt.
Cast a wide net
Some of the most popular sites on the internet today made up their own names or words. Or, consider sites like Google, Amazon, or Reddit, none of which on their own indicate what the business or site does. Reddit played around with spelling, as did Flickr and Lyft, to great success.
Register all possible domain extensions
When you have decided on a domain name, register all the extensions and possible misspellings to protect your brand.
5 Things to Avoid When Choosing a Domain Name
It’s easy to go wrong, even when you know the basics of how to choose a domain name, especially by stuffing in generic keywords or creating an overly complicated URL. Here’s what not to do:
Don’t overcomplicate your domain name
It should be easy to speak and write and not contain special characters, numbers, or doubled letters.
Remember to check availability early and often
For every round of brainstorming or discussion, make sure your favorite possible domain names are available to claim or buy, within your budget.
Don’t limit your long-term plans
While it makes sense to pick a domain name related to your market or industry, keep in mind that businesses change and grow over time. Keep the domain name broad enough to grow with potential expansions.
Don’t step on toes
Check whether a domain name is trademarked using the WIPO trademark database portal to avoid infringement lawsuits (and brand confusion).
Get the balance right
Too specific or long, and your domain name will be hard to remember (and type). But being too generic is also harmful to a business, since it will easily get lost in the shuffle and be difficult to rank in search.
Tools to Help You Choose a Domain Name
As part of your process when figuring out how to choose a domain name, try some of the tools available online as you’re brainstorming.
Bust A Name
This site offers two free tools, one to help create domain names and spark ideas, and one to check if a domain name is available. You can simply add keywords to get started with domain name ideas.
DomainsGPT
One of several AI-powered domain name generators, this site uses a GPT LLM and allows you to set parameters, including whether the names generated are brandable, misspelled, and more. It also takes into account your input on the industry or market of your business.
Domain Wheel
This site suggests domains that are available for purchase to help spark new ideas outside of what you may have already brainstormed.
Instant Domain Search
This site searches in real time as you type potential domain name options and shows a comprehensive list of suggestions, including various extensions that are available.
Nameboy
Enter primary and secondary words that describe your site, and Nameboy will return ideas that combine them to give you some domain- -name options.
Squarespace, Wix, or Bluehost
If you’re setting up a new website from scratch, Squarespace, Wix, or Bluehost platforms like these offer an easy way to brainstorm, choose, and register a domain name along with creating the site.
Wordoid
This site specializes in helping you create unique, invented domain names to build alongside your brand.
Key Takeaways
Starting and running a business today requires a website with an easy-to-understand domain name that can be used across social media platforms. Some of the most popular and enduring internet businesses have short, snappy TLDs. Approaching the question of how to choose a domain name can take some time and thought, but it’s an essential decision to get right.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are examples of good domain names?
A good domain name is easy to remember, SEO-friendly, and easily understood. Look to successful online businesses like Lyft, Flickr, Amazon, and more to spark inspiration for your own modern domain name.
Which are the best sites to buy a domain Name?
Domain name registrar companies let you buy your domain name, as long as it’s available. Some may have bundled discounted hosting services or include security or other features, and many offer a one-stop shop to buy your domain plus set up a website. These are some popular options:
What makes a good domain Name?
Good domain names vary among business types and industries, but generally a good domain name will be straightforward, easy to remember, and not too long.
