Choosing a domain is one of the first tasks will run into that is both extremely important for future success and fundamental to a smooth beginning. Choosing a domain doesn’t just mean you are choosing a name for your new business, you are also giving title to a limb of your online identity. Sure, a rose by any other name may smell just as sweet, but without the right domain, you might find yourself wilting on the vine.
Choosing a domain matters. It is a task that hits your online business early, sometimes before you are truly ready to roll. Taking into consideration some of the following things can make the difference between having a domain sitting proudly at the top of Google’s front page or one that makes you shake your head in discouragement every time you attemt to find it in a search.
Where to buy your domain?
There are many domain registers and hosting companies spread throughout the web. GoDaddy is the most popular among them. GoDaddy has found their unrivaled popularity due to their sterling reputation for ease, price, and simplicity, but there are many other registers as well.
No matter who you choose, don’t believe for a second that you need to pay a premium on a domain name. The standard rate is ten bucks, give or take. If you find a service trying to get substantially more, click the back button on your browser.
What type of domain extension is best?
No one argues the value of a dot com, as they are always most desirable. However, if your building a small niche website under the principles of long tail niche blogging, then choosing a domain with a dot com extension is far less important.
If you can get your name with a dot com, great. If not, don’t sweat it. A dot info at GoDaddy runs just .99 cents.
Are keywords in a domain important?
Absolutely. Try to insert your main keyword into the body of your domain. If your keywords, for example, are “Ford cars,” then it would be far better to have a fordcars.info address then it would be to have f-cars.com.
Keep your domain short!
Choosing a domain with a long winded URL is a great way to insure it is easily forgotten. on the other hand, choosing a domain that is short, punchy, and memorable is an excellent method to make your niche website roll from the tip of someone’s tongue.
When it comes to choosing a domain, bigger is almost never better.
Avoid hyphens
Just because your ideal name is gone, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to take the name you wanted and fill it with hyphens. Chances are, you will look like an also ran rather than an original. Hyphens can also give your URL an unprofessional look.
Do your best to find a domain that offers the criteria you need without sacrificing the need for a clean look.
Choosing a domain requires the right approach. Make sure you don’t rush into your decision with anything less than careful consideration. Choosing a domain isn’t exactly like choosing a partner, but it is like choosing an employee. Make sure your choice is a good one.
