A domain name is a website’s address: It’s what people type into their web browser to find your website. For example, ours is – alistairwhiteley.co.uk, you will find it at the top of your web browser in the bar.
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the domain name for your website –
- Keep it Short and Simple – Shorter domain names are easier for customers to remember, type and share with others. You want to try and avoid more complex words or phrases that are difficult to spell.
- Use Relevant Keywords. It’s a good idea to include relevant keywords related to your business, as this can improve search engine visibility and help you get found. But make sure to avoid keyword stuffing, and prioritise brand-ability over lots of keywords in your domain name.
- Avoid Numbers and Hyphens. Try to avoid lots of numbers and hyphens if you can (unless they are in your business name), this can lead to confusion and sometimes misspellings.
- Target Your Location (if applicable). If your business serves a local audience, you can consider including your town or region in the domain name. For example, you could add “Taunton” or “Somerset” if that is where you are based.
- Choose the Right Domain Extension. A .com domain extension is the most popular in the world, with over 155 million .com domains registered in total. But in the UK, a .co.uk domain extension is a good alternative. This shows your business is specific to the United Kingdom. You can also consider other alternatives based on your business type, like .org for a non-profit charity for example or .shop for an e-commerce store. You can be quite creative these days!
- Consider Future Growth. Choose a domain name that can accommodate your business’s growth and expansion.
- Easy to Type and Pronounce. Try to avoid using slang, misspellings, or words with multiple spellings. It’s a good idea to make sure the name is easy to say and share verbally, think about someone spelling out your domain name or try speaking it out loud and making sure it sounds correct.
- Check for Trademark and Copyright Issues. Make sure to check your chosen domain name doesn’t infringe on any existing trademarks or copyrights for other businesses. You want to conduct some research before registering your name to avoid potential legal issues down the line.
A good domain name should be easy to remember and relevant to your business. If you need help with your domain name, or if you are just starting your website journey, please get in touch with us and see how we can help you!
