How to choose a domain name for my company

Selecting a domain name for your company is one of the very first decisions you must make when creating a website- and it’s a hard one to change! One of the most common questions that are asked when planning a website is ‘What is the best domain name and how to choose a domain name for my company?’ and we’ll look into some important considerations that will ensure that you go with the most effective domain name for your company.

Make your domain name easy to type

This might seem like a very basic point, but note that it is exceptionally critical to online success. The longer and more complex you make your domain name, the greater the chances are that clients will more than likely, type it incorrectly. Not all people are proficient in typing, so keep this in mind when selecting your domain name.

Keep it short

A short domain name is beneficial for several reasons. For one, it is far easier to be fitted into company logos and gives the brand a more recognizable look and for another, it is harder to misspell. There are some company websites that have 40-character domain names and this is purely unwise. As the cliché goes ‘The shorter, the sweeter’ and this couldn’t be truer where domain names are concerned!

Use related keywords that relate to your business

We all know how incredibly important keywords are for a website, and the fact that the domain name of your company is an important aspect of your website makes the value of keywords more important. Use keywords that describe your company or business and the services you offer. For example, if your business deals with furniture, you might want to register under a domain name such as furniturestore.com. Use keywords that people are more likely to enter when search for a specific product of service and this not only helps in driving more targeted traffic to your website but helps a lot in improving your ranking on search engines too.

Target your intended client area

If your business is a local-based one, you might also want to consider including your city or state in the domain name. This makes it easy for local customers to find as well as remember. For example, if your business is based in Colombo, you can opt for a domain name such as colombofurniturestore.com. This way, if clients search for products or services in a specific area, your website would show up easily on the search engines too.

Use an appropriate top level domain

There are plenty of different top level domains (TLDs) available now; you might want to get one that has the most recognition in your region where you operate your business. If your business is intended for a global audience, .com would be always your first choice. That said, you should also be aware of the fact that TLDs have specific uses, so ensure that you choose the one that works well with your business. Although .com is by far the most popular option, here are some other important TLDs and how they are often used:

• .co- an abbreviation for company, community and commerce
• .net- internet infrastructure and technical sites
• .biz- ecommerce sites for business or commercial use
• .info- informational websites
• .me- personal websites, blogs or resumes
• .org- non-profit and non-commercial organizations

Make your domain name memorable

The core essence behind online business is to make it appealing, and this applies to your website’s domain name too. Remember that there are millions of websites that are registered, and the importance of having a catchy and memorable domain name cannot be stressed enough. Whatever domain name you opt for, make sure that it is something that will stick into the minds of your clients.

Do a lot of research

Once you choose a domain name, there is no looking back, so make sure that you do a lot of research. A good domain name has an impact on how professional your website is. Make sure that the name you have selected for your company’s website is not trademarked, used by another company of copyrighted. This could lead to legal issues and this is certainly not healthy for your business.

Our consultants have vast experience in helping organizations choosing the right domain name for their businesses. You may contact us for a free consultation.