Creating a website is one of the fundamental steps in building an online presence. When it comes to creating a website for your company, a personal blog, or an online project, one of the first decisions to make is choosing the perfect domain name. The domain name is the web address that people will use to find the site and is often the first impression left on visitors. So, how do you choose the domain intelligently? In this article, we will explore step by step how to make an effective choice that stands out and reflects the online identity of the entity in question.
1. Considerations on online identity
Initially, it is necessary to reflect on the online identity you want to establish. You need to clarify:
- the purpose of the site
- the type of content it will host
- the target audience
These elements will define the tone and message to be conveyed through the domain name. For example, if you intend to create a personal travel blog, you might consider including your own name in the domain to provide greater personalization.
2. How to choose a suitable domain name: easy to write, easy to remember, accessible, and SEO-friendly
- Memorable: The domain name should be simple and easy to remember.
- Easy-to-write domain: Avoid using complex or hard-to-type terms. A short and clear domain name is often the most effective choice. Also, it is advisable to avoid special characters or hyphens that could confuse users.
- Accessible: Make sure it is not easily confused or creates problems with characters that are not used in all countries you want to reach with your platform.
- SEO-friendly: Not essential, but very useful if the chosen domain includes a keyword related to the services you offer or the products you sell. This way, the site will have better positioning on the internet and will intercept more users in their searches.
3. Availability check
Before committing to a final choice, it is necessary to check the availability of the desired domain name. Various online services allow you to check this and find out if the domain you had in mind is available or not. However, be prepared to be creative if the preferred domain name is not available with the ".com" extension. There are several domain extensions, such as ".net," ".org," or regional extensions, which can be valid alternatives, although it is better, at this point, to opt for a modification of the name itself. This way, the brand will not be confused with others. These more generic parts of the domain, ".org," ".com," and all the abbreviations that follow the period, are called "top-level domain," or TLD.
Once an available and effective domain for your site is found, you need to proceed with registering the domain on specific platforms. This way, the site name will be unique and secured. Registering the domain name has a cost, but it is a minimal expense.
A note to pay attention to is the current renewal of this purchase. In fact, if you do not renew the purchase of your domain, it becomes available again.
4. Avoid legal issues
Care must be taken to ensure that the selected domain name does not infringe on the copyrights or trademarks of others. Avoid using names that could generate confusion or future legal disputes. Thorough research is essential to avoid complications later on.
There are several famous cases in this regard, including McDonald’s. In the 1990s, the fast-food chain was not interested in the internet. A journalist named Joshua Quittner, working on the theme of the usefulness of the network, discovered that the domain "mcdonalds.com" had not yet been registered, and decided to buy it. A few years later, he was contacted by the fast food company, which decided to update itself. McDonald’s managed to buy it by paying, at the journalist's request, $3500 to a school in Brooklyn so they could buy computers with internet access.
5. Pronunciation ease
As already mentioned, imagining having to communicate the domain name to third parties, it is important to ensure that it can be pronounced easily and without ambiguity. Complex or uncertainly pronounced domain names should be avoided. It is simpler to use musical names, or names with a well-defined pronunciation, so that they remain more in the minds of users.
6. SEO Bonus (Search Engine Optimization)
As already mentioned, if possible, SEO optimization can be considered in the domain name selection process. Including relevant keywords to the site's content can favor better indexing in search results. This way, it will be easier for users interested in your products/services to find your site within a search.
However, when choosing the domain, it is advisable to maintain a balance between search engine optimization and clarity for users.
Another very important factor is the hosting service you choose when creating your site. When someone types your domain name in the browser, the hosting server provides the files of your website so that they can be viewed by the user. Choosing the right hosting service is important to ensure that your website is reliable, fast, and secure.
7. Privacy protection
When registering a domain name, contact information is made public in the WHOIS registry. The WHOIS registry is a public and accessible database on the Internet that contains detailed information about registered domain names. The WHOIS registry is mainly used for transparency purposes and to allow individuals or organizations to identify and contact the holders of a domain name, for example, for commercial, legal, or security purposes.
In order to preserve your privacy, you may consider purchasing domain privacy protection services that hide this information. It is also worth noting that the information may vary depending on local privacy laws. When it comes to protecting the privacy of a website domain, Iubenda - of which Ekeria is a partner - can be a useful option. The platform allows users to generate and customize privacy policies based on their specific needs and implement tools for managing consent and cookies.
8. Future planning
A well-chosen domain name should be able to adapt and grow with your online project. Consider how the name might appear and function in the future to avoid costly long-term changes, as happened with Facebook. In fact, initially the company's name was "thefacebook."
Over time, they decided to simplify the name by removing the prefix "the." This change required a considerable effort to transfer all users and redirect web traffic to the new domain name. However, the name has much more impact. So, it is important to carefully consider the domain name from the beginning and choose a name that is versatile, memorable, and suitable for your long-term project.
In short: how to choose the perfect domain name?
The selection of the domain name for a website represents one of the most relevant decisions in the creation phase. This web address will be the virtual business card of the site and should be chosen with care. It is important to conduct thorough research and weigh all relevant considerations before making a final decision. A well-selected domain name can make a difference in the success of your website.
If you want to choose the perfect domain for you and create a site that fully reflects your reality, contact us at Ekeria. We are experts in website development. Book a free call now to tell us about your project.
FAQ
Q: How can I choose the right domain name for my website?
A: When choosing a website, it is important to choose a domain name that is easy to remember, easy to write, and contains relevant keywords for your industry.
Q: What are the elements to consider when choosing my domain?
A: Some tips for choosing an effective domain include the domain's brevity, suitability for your website, and the availability of the chosen domain.
Q: How can I find a perfect name for my site?
A: To find the right name for your site, you should explore different options and make sure that the selected domain name best represents your brand or business.
Q: What are the most recommended domain extensions for my site?
A: The different available extensions offer unique opportunities; however, it is advisable to opt for commonly recognized extensions such as .com, initially linked to e-commerce and gradually moving away from it, .net, or .it for a top-level domain.
Q: How can I ensure that the chosen domain favors search engine ranking?
A: To improve the SEO positioning of your website, the domain should contain relevant keywords for your business. Additionally, it is important to create high-quality and SEO-optimized content, use effective meta tags and descriptions, create a user-friendly website optimized for mobile devices, obtain backlinks from authoritative sites, and constantly monitor your site's performance through analytics tools. Finally, it is also important to keep the site updated with fresh and quality content to keep the audience engaged and increase engagement.
