Why choose a domain name? What’s all the fuss? Why not just randomly make one up? To be honest, choosing a domain name is one of the first (and most exciting!) steps in building your website—but let’s be honest, it can also feel a little overwhelming.
You want something that sounds good, fits your brand, is easy to remember, and ideally helps with SEO too. The good news? You don’t need to overthink it. In this post, we’ll walk you through simple, practical tips to help you choose a domain name that feels right, works hard behind the scenes, and sets your website up for success from day one.
Why Choose A Domain Name?
Whether you’re launching a new business, creating a personal blog, or starting an e-commerce site, your domain name is your digital address—the way people will find you on the web. It needs to be memorable, relevant, and aligned with your brand or purpose.
When purchasing a domain name, you’ll need to consider a few key factors to ensure you’re making the best choice for your website and brand. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key considerations, from selecting the right name to registering it with a reliable domain registrar.
Let’s get started on making your mark online:
Best Domain Name Provider
We highly recommend Scala Hosting as a solid option for buying your domain and hosting. We use their entry plan Build#1, it’s a great starting point and offers the best value for money among all their plans, which is why we always recommend it.
At the time of writing this article Scala Hosting offer new customers a free domain.
How To choose a domain name
How quickly you create a domain name depends on your creativity. Sometimes, it means getting a pen and paper and doing a brainstorming session. When brainstorming a name, you need to check Scala Hosting domain search to see if it’s available and check across all social media platforms such as Twitter, FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, etc.
You don’t have to use all of those platforms; you can choose the ones you can maintain that would work for your website. Your website name should be the same or similar on social media so people can instantly recognize you.
Key Tips Before Buying A Domain
It gets easier the more you know…
Keep It Simple & Memorable:
A great tip to remember is to keep your domain name to two words, a maximum of three. Keep it short, easy to remember, easy to spell, and doesn’t have complex words or lengthy phrases.
Avoid Numbers & Hyphens:
Numbers and hyphens can create confusion. People might not know if your domain uses a numeral or if there’s a hyphen.
Incorporate Keywords:
If possible, include relevant keywords that reflect your website’s content, business, or industry. This can help with search engine optimization (SEO).
Be Unique:
Ensure your domain name stands out and isn’t too similar to competitors. This can help avoid confusion and potential legal issues.
.com is King:
If possible, opt for a .com extension as it is the most recognized and trusted by users
Consider Alternatives:
If .com is unavailable, consider other popular extensions like .net, .org, or country-specific ones like .co.uk. Newer extensions (e.g., .io, .tech, .biz) can also work but ensure they fit your brand.
Avoid Legal Issues:
Ensure the domain name doesn’t infringe on any existing trademarks or company names before purchasing. You can use trademark search tools to check this.
Research Competitors:
Make sure the domain name doesn’t closely resemble a competitor’s, which could confuse customers and lead to legal complications.
Plan for the Future:
Choose a domain name that will endure and not become obsolete as your business grows or evolves. Sometimes, your vision changes and your domain name may become outdated or confusing to readers. This happened to us once, which caused issues.
Avoid Trends:
While trendy terms might be popular now, they can date quickly. Opt for timelessness.
Don’t Wait:
If you find the perfect domain name, purchase it as soon as possible. Good domains can be snapped up quickly. A few years ago, a friend came across an available domain called seek.com. We told her to buy it quickly, but it was sold after her dithering for a day or two.
Consider Multiple Domains:
If your brand might be mistaken for other variations of your name (e.g., different spellings), consider purchasing those domains as well to prevent competitors from getting them.
Use WHOIS Privacy:
Many domain registrars offer WHOIS privacy protection, which hides your personal details from public databases. This helps reduce spam and protects your privacy.
Similarities:
Make sure the name isn’t too similar to another name that you may not want to be associated with, for example, these names:
While these names are funny, the wrong domain can cause many issues for your future success. If you’re struggling to find a really good domain name, check out these two websites:
Do I need a website to have a domain name?
No, you don’t need a website to have a domain name.
A domain name can be purchased and registered without being immediately connected to a website. Many individuals or businesses buy domain names to secure them for future use, protect their brand, or prevent others from using them. Additionally, a domain name can be utilized for purposes other than a website, such as creating a branded email address (likeyourname@yourdomain.com).
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Owning a domain name without a website gives you the flexibility to build your online presence later, redirect it to another site, or even sell it if it becomes valuable.
What are the new domain extensions?
New domain extensions, also known as generic top-level domains (gTLDs), have expanded beyond the traditional .com, .org, and .net options. These newer extensions provide more choices and allow you to create a more descriptive or unique web address that fits your brand, industry, or interest.
Some popular domain extensions are category-based, such as .fun, .shop, .health, etc. When paired with a clever domain name, it can give your web address a unique advantage in the online world.
To check the most popular domain extensions and get domain name ideas go to Scala Hosting.
Buying other domain extensions is perfectly okay—and often a smart strategy—to buy other domain extensions beyond the traditional ones like .com.
Owning a business can help protect your brand from competitors or malicious actors who might try to use similar domain names. This practice is known as “defensive registration.”
Owning multiple domain extensions gives you flexibility for future expansions or rebranding efforts. You may not need them immediately, but having them secured can give you peace of mind and keep your options open.
