What is a domain name? Domain name is the name and extension of a website. How is that different from the URL? The URL is the specific address for a website or page. The domain name is essentially part of the URL.
Example:
Domain: get-simple.com
URL: www.get-simple.com
Selecting a domain name is an important thing to consider. Here are some guidelines for creating a domain name.
Short and Simple
I’m sure many of you have heard of the acronym, KISS which means Keep It Simple. Remember this when you are choosing a domain. You want customers to be able to remember your address. It is best to avoid long addresses or ones that are hard to pronounce to prevent customers from misspelling or typing in the incorrect address. It is most common to use your name or the company’s name. Does your address pass the radio test?
Avoid Hyphens, Numbers and Underscores
Not only are you taking a risk that customers will mistype your address, you are more at risk for spammers. However, if you must use a hyphen or underscore, it is best to not have more than one in the address.
Be Memorable
Don’t be afraid to get creative. Your domain name is one that will be searched and viewed by many. Find one that fits with your brand. Consider using tag lines, nicknames or other words that describe who you are.
Select the Appropriate Extension
The most common TLD (top-level-domain) extension is .com. Some other popular extensions:
- .net
- .org
- .biz
- .info.
- .me
- .us
- .co
Select an extension that helps describe what you do. What if your domain name is already taken? This isn’t surprising news because many are faced with this problem. You might want to consider using a new premium domain extensions. These are fairly new extensions and can help specify industries, locations, and interests.
Branding Tool
Your domain name should act as a marketing tool. You should consider how your domain will be impacted with SEO and social media. It is also a good idea to protect your brand. You can purchase similar domain names or different domain extensions. It is important to keep in mind that you must act quickly because someone else could take your domain name.
What is the most unique domain name you’ve come across?
