Tips on how to choose a domain name for search engine optimization

Your domain name and its URL play a very important role when it comes to web crawling. Although for the domain it is possible to choose from an infinite number of different options, there are some very precise guidelines to follow in order to obtain optimal results in terms of visibility.

The first step is to choose keywords

Before proceeding to register your chosen domain, stop for a moment and take some time to write down some useful ideas for your business on paper. For example, it can be very important to choose three or four keywords before taking action. These words or phrases should clearly define what you do (or want to do). Also, try to mix and match them together to see if what you can come up with makes sense. Don’t force the process, just place the necessary logical links. For example, if you intend to place an online site advertising a local bakery, you should include some terms in the process that relates to the city in which the business is located, the ability to buy fresh bread or baked goods, etc.

Here’s a useful tip in this regard: always use prefixes and suffixes, very important when it comes to creating a good domain that knows how to grab attention. Going back to the previous example, you can choose a domain like superfreshbread.com or panesemprefresco.com.

Make the domain unique

The domain is the mirror of your brand. Making sure it stands out from others already online is extremely important for both you and your users. Having a domain that looks too much like another popular brand is never a good idea, as you run the risk of creating confusion.

At the same time, always be careful not to try to be too original. Forcing common words and creating alternatives can lead to great difficulties. A famous example, also mentioned in the book entitled The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization, is related to the popular image site Flickr.

When the founders of this site set up their own domain, they did not use the standard spelling, or flicker.com, with resulted in losing much of the incoming traffic. To remedy this rather risky choice, the portal administrators had to buy the correctly spelled domain, to also have an additional domain that redirects incoming traffic to Flickr.com.

Propose a .com

If you are thinking about building an online brand for the long term, there is nothing better than an extension that can transmit the most traffic possible to your portal. Using a 301 redirect to direct traffic to an extension such as .net or .org can be a very satisfactory option, but having the corresponding .com or TLD for your destination country is still a key choice.

There are several reasons why this element is very important, but the choice can be crucial, especially for your users. Although there are thousands of TLDs to choose from, .com remains the most reliable.

Choose an easy-to-type URL

If the URL is difficult to type, people will probably avoid typing it. URLs with difficult words and strings that are too long can be extremely frustrating for your users.

Of course, within a long URL, you would have the opportunity to add a good keyword that can help you gain terms of visibility, but if this would negatively affect the user experience, that choice could weigh on you and your site’s popularity.

Make it an easy-to-memorize URL

Word-of-mouth marketing is still the best. If you want to help your brand spread as fast as possible, you must make your domain name easy to remember and pronounce. Having a good website doesn’t matter if no one can remember your domain name.

Try to choose a short name

Inevitably, the shortest URLs are also the easiest to type and remember. They also show up better within SERPs, fit well on business cards, and seem more suitable than others in offline media.

Create and meet user expectations

What is the first feeling or expectation you want to generate when someone first hears your portal URL? If users don’t immediately understand who you are and what you do, this could create a problem.

If names like Amazon, Trulia, Google, and Trivago sound cool and empty of meaning, they require a lot more marketing work to make them work and attract new users, domains like NYtimes.com, Homes.com, and Overstock.com to your pages Allow them to understand beforehand what to expect.

Building the brand

If you can’t find a good domain that fully complies with the above rule, rely on your brand to differentiate you from others. Using an original moniker can be an excellent way to create added value. However, if implemented correctly, the effort can pay off in the long run.

Do not fall victim to current trends

If something goes out of fashion and is very successful, that doesn’t mean it will always be that way. Emulating what someone else is doing can lead you down the wrong path. When choosing the domain, do not use special spellings or hyphens, signs, and numbers. Always opt for a simple, short, and easy-to-remember style.

Try one of many domain selection tools

If you are concentrating on what to do but not thinking of any winning idea, don’t worry, the Internet has the best solution.

Try using one of the many domain selection tools available on the web and help yourself find the perfect domain for your online portal. But remember to respect the tips listed above when using these tools.

Conclusions

The domain name represents a big part of the online business. Just like in real estate, the name of your site is very important to both users and search engines. Having a domain that clearly tells your users and search engines who you are and what you do can help you position your brand online and earn you points in terms of visibility and credibility. Don’t just choose any domain name. Take all the time you need and choose the right domain for your business. Think about finding a digital marketing agency.