Buying a domain is an exciting initial step for many business owners, bloggers, and owners of eCommerce websites to enter the world of online marketing. An attractive domain name is more than just the address for a business website; it usually serves as your client’s first impression of your brand.
However, for many people, the question of what they should do next can be intimidating. Let’s cover how you can drive traffic to your new domain hassle-free.
Why Are Domain Names So Important?
Your primary objective when you market and advertise your business will be to increase online traffic to your online shop. Your domain name needs to correctly describe what you sell while also being appealing to your target audience.
Here are just a few advantages you may expect when you select the appropriate domain name:
- Improved search engine ranking
- Higher credibility
- Increased numbers of new and returning consumers
- Better branding
Fortunately or not, people on the web can easily discover who is the owner of a domain, information about the hosting company, the web host’s IP address, registration data, contact, and more. You can learn more about the hosting checker on HostAdvice. And if you want to protect your domain data, it would be best to get WHOIS protection for your domain.
What Makes For An Effective Domain Name?
Now that you understand its importance, the next point is choosing an effective domain name. Here are a few of the characteristics that make for the best domain.
#1: It’s Simple
Make sure to choose a name for your domain that is as simple as possible. You need something easy to say and remember for potential constituents.
Businesses and non-profit organizations typically choose the name of the organization, but if your name is particularly complicated or long, you could wish to shorten it for your domain name.
#2: Includes An Extension
A top-level domain (TLD), such as .com or .org, comes after the name of your website and forms the last part of your URL. Approximately one-third of all domains registered today have the dot-com extension, making it, without a doubt, the most widespread.
Finding an available.com extension for a short domain name can be difficult due to the high volume. As a result, you might also benefit from combining keywords targeted to your business to come up with a distinctive domain name that you can pair with the.com extension.
#3: It’s Unique
if you want to stand out and be recognized, your domain name must only represent your brand and, most importantly, should not be mistaken with any other websites.
As a result, thorough web research is strongly advised before registering your domain name to avoid choosing one similar to what other companies in your market are already using and eventually avoid unwanted trademark infringement or other legal difficulties.
#4: Has No Repeated Letters
Your domain name should not contain letters that are repeated at the start or end of words. For instance, Nonprofit Today wouldn’t want nonprofittoday.org as the domain for their site. Visitors searching for your website become confused when letters like “t” are repeated. In turn, they find it difficult to remember these specific details, negatively affecting your brand.
The organization may select a unique name and something similar, like todaysnonprofit.org or nonprofitoftoday.org, rather than nonprofittoday.org. To maintain focus on the brand identity and objectives, make the domain name as straightforward as possible.
#5: Avoids Using Numbers
If your domain name contains numbers, visitors to your website may find it confusing. Is the number written out or in numerical form? This becomes especially challenging for numbers like 2 and 4. Two? Too? To?
Keep your domain name simple for website visitors, and avoid using any digits completely. The absence of numbers reduces uncertainty and increases website traffic.
#6: Includes Your Keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases that consumers will probably use to search for your goods or services on Google. Your domain name should concisely state the essence of your company and the products you offer.
For example, if your online store provides kitchen equipment, you’ll obviously want to use words like kitchen, cook, bake, supplies, equipment, etc.
#7: It is Trademarked
Legal ownership of a domain name is yours once you purchase it. This title is beneficial because no other owner may “take away” your domain name.
However, a business that wishes to register a trademark on that name may sue you. How is that even possible? You didn’t declare the domain to be your intellectual property, so another business may now do so.
Remember that trademarking your domain is a far more difficult procedure than purchasing a domain name, but it protects you legally.
#8: Has A Clear History
Why is this so important? Since domain owners occasionally abandon their websites. This indicates that although the name is registered, it hasn’t been used recently. These domain names may serve as a magnet for cybercriminals looking to steal website and email data.
A domain name with clear history will save you from being blacklisted or penalized by Google.
The Bottom Line
A domain name is important for creating a website for your business and establishing a strong online presence. You can stay one step ahead of the competition by following the traits of an effective domain name that encourages engagement and traffic to your website.
