Choosing your domain name is an important first step in developing your online presence. Not only does your domain name affect your website, but also your branded company email. Once a domain is in use it becomes very difficult to change without causing confusion. Here are some considerations for choosing a domain name.
Use Your Business Name
Your business name is an ideal choice for your domain because it is how people already identify you. If your business name is already taken, White Horse Domains will automatically suggest to you similar options that are available. However, you might want to try one of the following ideas:
- If you are a local business you can add your city to your business name. For example, a bakery in Wichita may be somethingsweetwichita.com.
- Use a shortened version of your business name or a nickname. Instead of smithsantiquesandvintage.com try smithsantiques.com or smithsvintage.com
- Trying to find the name you want as a .com is becoming more difficult. Try using a country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) or a generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) to open up more options. This also gives you a way to further customize your domain with a ccTLD such as .us to let visitors know you are a company in the United States or a gTLD such as .coffee to let everyone know you sell coffee.
- An alternative to using your business name would be to use your business slogan. For example: cheapmatresscompany.com may be taken, but sleepcheap.com may still be available.
- If you are absolutely set on a name that is already taken you can use a Backorder Domain Service to automatically attempt to register the name for you if it should become available.
Be Careful Using Numbers, Symbols, or Creative Spellings
It can be confusing for customers when they don’t know what to type. For example, if the domain you register is books-4-u.com your customers may end up making purchases instead from booksforyou.com, books4u.com or books-for-you.com. If you think your domain name will confuse customers you might consider choosing a different name or registering multiple forms of the domain and pointing them all back to your website.
Keep It Simple
It’s easy to lose a business card with someone’s website on it. If your domain name is simple people are more likely to remember what it is and visit your site. If customers are having to guess at what to type or search for the right site they will get frustrated or even worse–quit looking!
"It's easy to lose a business card with someone's website on it. If your domain name is simple people are more likely to remember what it is and visit your site."
Ask For Advice
If you are still unsure about choosing a domain name, discuss your options with one of our web designers during your initial interview. We would be more than happy to help you come up with the perfect domain name!
