Having the right domain name is very important and should be considered carefully. A domain name that is reflective of your business will allow your website to rank higher in search engine results, which in turn allows it to be seen by even more people. Here are some things you should consider when choosing a domain name:
Start with keywords
Take the time to brainstorm a few ideas. It could be useful to have 3 to 5 keywords in mind while doing this exercise. These words and phrases have to, in reality, define what you do (or need to do). Mix and mash them together and see what looks good when typed into the search bar.
For instance, let's say you are starting a local bakery. Some terms you want to consider could be your town name, fresh bread, baked goods, local bread bakery, and so on.
Using your business name as a domain name
Consider using your business name for your URL (domain name) as long as your business name isn't long and difficult to spell.
If your business name has been taken by another website, consider part of your business name plus a general keyword that describes what you offer.
What’s the best domain name length?
Consider the length of the domain name you choose. Will people be able to remember it or easily type it when searching for your website?
Consider using your business name for your URL (domain name). However, if your business name is lengthy or complicated to spell, it may be better not to use your business name at all. If your business name has been taken by another website consider part of your business name plus a general keyword that describes what you offer.
Consider using a general keyword plus another word tacked onto the end, for example, yourlocalbakery.com or smalltownbakery.com
Consider very carefully the use of multiple hyphens in a domain name and avoid if possible. Hyphenating keywords in a domain name such as best-small-town-bakery.com does not promote credibility, appears spam-like, and is difficult to type.
A domain name is easier to remember if it is under twenty characters. Also, remove any that might have negative meanings. If you have several words write them without spaces to check that your domain name would not be potentially offensive.
Why you need a custom domain name
To maximize traffic to your site, you should consider investing in your own custom domain name. A shorter web address makes it easier for your visitors to remember and spell. It also stands out more in the search engine results.
Your site will appear more professional, and some SEO research suggests that sites with their own top-level domain name rank better in search results than sites published to subdomains.
Word-of-mouth marketing is still the best of all. If you want to help your brand spread faster, make your domain easy to remember. Having a great website won't matter if no one can remember its URL.
Note: Buying a domain does not guarantee a certain search engine ranking and you should take other steps to enhance your search engine optimization (SEO).
Once you find a domain name that's available, make sure you Google it before buying it. You want to check that no one else is using a similar name for something spammy or offensive.