How to Choose a Good Domain Name

A good business website starts with knowing how to choose a good domain name. In most cases, it’s just your business name with a “.com” after it. But often times, someone else already has that domain name registered. So what do you do then?

You could either try to buy that domain name from them, or look for another name. Either way, read through this guide to make sure you’re getting a domain name that adds to your success.

How to Choose a Good Domain Name

These tips on how to choose a good domain name come from our decades of building websites, building audiences, and turning them into solid revenue generators…

1. Always Get a Dotcom

Try not to settle for a .net, .org, .info, or .anythingelse. A “.com” tells your audience that your business is important. Meanwhile, a “.net” or “.org” tells your audience that you tried to get a “.com” but that some other business is more important than yours. What do you do if your “.com” is already taken?

• Try to buy it from whoever has it. Chances are pretty good that whoever has it simply has it registered with no website built. You can usually go to GoDaddy, type in the domain name you want, and they will give you an option to hire them to buy it from whoever has it.
• Add “LLC” or “INC” after the domain name. You should only do this if your business is incorporated.
• If you have not already launched your business, then consider finding a different business name. Look up domain names on GoDaddy to make sure the business name is available as a “.com”.
• Do not add a dash ” – ” in between two words. This is because when you tell someone your domain name, you will always have to say, “name dash name”, and that person will almost never remember to add the dash.
• Do not add other words like, “the”, “company”, “my”, or any other words that you would never use when telling someone the name of your company.
• If you made it this far down the list, go ahead and settle for “.net” or “.org” in that order. We do not recommend any “.info” or “.store”, or any other top-level domain because most people see those as “spammy”.
• If the domain name you want is still not available as a “.net” or “.org”, then try adding your geographic location. For example, add “usa” or “ok” (Oklahoma). Again, do not add a dash.

2. Your Domain Name Should Be Your Business Name

The best advice on how to choose a good domain name, is to use your business name, with a “.com” at the end, and no dashes to separate words. A domain name in this format is easily remembered by your customers, and it is also the most highly reputable.

• As soon as you add a dash ” – ” to separate two words, you’ve already lowered the reputation of your business. Plus, you’ve made it that much more difficult for people to remember your domain name.
• Do not register a name that uses different words than your business name. For example, if your business name is “Tulsa Auto Body”, do not register “wefixdentedcars.com”. Try to find a domain name that uses your business name, without using dashes. “tulsaautobody.net”, or “tulsaautobodyinc.com”, or “tulsaautobodyusa.com”.

3. If You Haven’t Launched Your Business Yet, Consider Changing Your Name

If your business name is not available with a “.com”, and you haven’t launched your business yet, then consider changing your business name to match a domain name that is still available. Having a domain name that matches your business name with a “.com” is so important throughout your business’ lifetime, that it’s worth doing.

• You can still do this with little to no negative impact even if your business has already launched, but is not well-established.

4. Should You Buy All Three, “.com”, “.net”, and “.org”?

Yes, generally it’s a good idea to buy all three. It’s not important, and it’s not critical, but then again, there’s no harm in it, and it’s not that expensive to get them all. Once you get the “.net” and “.org”, you just redirect them to your “.com”. A website designer can do this for you.

5. When Should I Buy a Domain Name?

Right now. Even if your business has not launched, buy it. In fact, even if your business is just an idea for the future, buy it right now.

Good domain names are so hard to get because people register them right away. Often times, they register with no intention of ever launching a business. The reason why is so that they can sell it for a high price to someone who really wants it.

If you buy a domain name, and it turns out you never launch the business, you can sell the domain name through GoDaddy, and then wait for someone to buy it. This is one more reason to buy your domain name through GoDaddy.

Still Not Sure How to Choose a Good Domain Name ?

Then by all means, contact us. We will be happy to help you choose a good domain name that will add to your business success.