If you are going to use your domain name for more than just a personal site, there are many things you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a good and effective domain name. It’s not as simple as what sounds good, or has your particular keywords in it. There are a few more things to consider. Let’s look at some of them!
Keywords in your domain – Many people advocate the use of your site’s primary keyword in the domain name. There is no doubt that there is some SEO benefit to doing this. How much exactly is unknown. This is a good idea, as long as you don’t have to get too creative with any permutations you might be forced to use because the domain name is taken.
Branding yourself or your business – A domain name is a great opportunity to further your branding efforts. Using your name or the name of your business is a very smart way to go.
Don’t make it too long! – A long, overly wordy (however clever!) domain name is not only hard to remember, but extremely hard to communicate effectively. You’ll constantly be spelling it out for people, and they’ll abandon attempts to type it in if it’s too hard. Keep in mind too that any subpages, folders or other pages on your site will make that address even heftier.
Don’t use trademarks in your domain! – Unless of course you own them! More than one enterprising site owner has been sued and forced to take down their pride and joy because they’ve infringed on someone else’s trademark. Don’t be tempted to purchase a domain, even if you can, that attempts to capitalize on the latest offering from Apple, for example. You’ll find yourself with a firm letter on your doorstep in no time at all!
Don’t make it offensive – What might seem funny or a good idea at two in the morning may be downright offensive to some in the light of day. Stay away from profanity, or vulgarities in your domain names, as you are immediately limiting your prospective audience.
Consider your competition – You probably don’t want to choose a domain name that exactly mirrors one used by your closest competitors. Not only might you find yourself ignored by the search engines, you may find it hard to differentiate your site from theirs, making it harder to brand yourself, and also (this is worse!) confusing visitors who would like to come to your site, but go to theirs instead! Not good. Be your own domain!
The subject of dashes – Some say that the use of dashes in your domain name is bad. There is evidence that Google prefers non-dashed domains, so from that perspective they are right. I think the best advice is that it’s not a good idea unless the site isn’t commercial. Sometimes it just reads better with dashes!
As you can see, there is a lot to consider. Not the least of which is whether or not your first choices are even available! Start by making a short list that meet all your criteria, and be open to ideas that will be offered when you are searching at any of the domain name sites. You might find just the right name, and one you hadn’t even considered!
