Choosing a domain name
Choose a domain name that describes your product or services. Use the same name as the title of your website; or a really memorable brand.
Look at how the website structure develops, by identifying business associated keyword groups. Ideally the domain name and sub-directories, should clearly indicate content. The sub-directories for this site are design, search-engine and promotion. Finally we chose asimplewebsite.co.uk as it contains the word website, is easily remembered and truly reflects our approach.
Alternatively you may be fortunate to own a well known brand and want to use it. If not obtain a domain first, which mirrors of your products or services. We use UK REG to check availability and to register. Your first choice may well be already taken, don't despair. If it took a lot of effort to establish the brand, explore buying it from the current owner or consider another extension .uk, .com, .net etc.
Long or short - Hyphenate
- A domain should mirror your brand, products or services. Unfortunately very short meaningful ones, usually have been taken.
- Note the maximum length of a domain is 67 and the extension 4 characters, so it can be relevant and contain a keyword or phrase, which will improve the chance of high ranking. I would avoid an over long name, as these are hard to remember, prone to typing errors and individual page url's can appear to be cut short by some search engines.
- Using a hyphen may get the short name you want and initially provides higher ranking but this is only short lived; as after time search engines recognise keywords within a non hyphenated domain. A considerable disadvantage is verbal communication problems and typing errors sending users to a competitor. The same problem is created with using plurals unless you own the singular version as well.
Alphabetical placement
A large number of the directories which provide information to search engines, list alphabetically by website title. Search engines concentrate on content and ranking; but generally seem to very slightly favour domains which start at the beginning of the alphabet. Some ignore digits and only look at the first letter, so I would avoid choosing a domain starting with a digit unless it forms part of a compelling branding argument; but certainly look at choosing a name starting with A B or C.
What domain extension to use
This is usually a balanced decision between availability of the ideal name and the extension for the market you are targeting. Is your business very country specific or would it benefit from an international audience? In this country people would expect a UK domain knowing the company is based in the United Kingdom or '.com' if it was an international business and think '.org' was a not for profit organisation. Think also about brand protection by securing names with other extensions.
Finally choose a domain name to remember
We specialise in simple website design and as part of our affordable managed website service we are happy to help.