Creating a website is one of the first 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 you have to make is to choose 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 that is left on visitors. So, how to choose the domain name 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 reality in question.
1. Considerations on online identity
Initially, you need to think about 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 are going to create a personal travel blog, you might want to consider including your personal name in the domain, in order to give more customization.
2. How to choose a domain name: simplicity and eligibility
The domain name should be simple and easy to store. Complex or difficult to type terms should be avoided. A short and clear domain name is often the most effective choice. In addition, you should avoid special characters or hyphens that could cause confusion among users.
3. Verification of the availability
Before committing to a final choice, you must check the availability of the desired domain name. Several online services allow this verification. However, you must be ready to be creative if your preferred domain name is not available with the extension ".com". Other extensions such as ".net", ". org", or regional extensions may represent valid alternatives, although it is better, at this point, to opt for a change of the name itself. This way the brand won’t be confused with others.
4. Avoid legal issues
Care must be taken that the selected domain name does not infringe the copyrights or trademarks of others. Avoid using names that could lead to confusion or future legal disputes. Careful research is essential to avoid complications later.
There are several notable cases about it, 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 fast food, which had decided to update itself. McDonald’s managed to buy it by pouring, at the request of the journalist, $3,500 to a school in Brooklyn so they could buy computers with internet access.
5. Ease of pronunciation
If you imagine that you have to communicate your domain name to a third party, it is important to ensure that it can be pronounced easily and unambiguously. Complex or uncertain pronunciation domain names should be avoided. It is easier to use musical names, or well-defined pronunciation, so that they remain even more in the minds of users.
6. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) bonus
If possible, you can consider search engine optimization (SEO) in the process of choosing the domain name. The inclusion of keywords relevant to the content of the site can encourage better indexing in search results. However, it is advisable to maintain a balance between search engine optimization and clarity for users.
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 Internet database containing detailed information on registered domain names. The WHOIS registry is mainly used for transparency purposes and to enable individuals or organisations to identify and contact domain name holders, 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 should also be noted that information may vary depending on local privacy laws.
8. Future planning
A well-chosen domain name should be able to adapt and grow along with your online project. You have to consider how the name might look and work in the future, to avoid costly long-term changes, which happened to Facebook. In fact, initially the company name was "Thefacebook".
In short: how to choose the perfect domain name?
The selection of the domain name for a website is one of the most relevant decisions being made. This web address will be the virtual business card of the site and should be chosen carefully. It is important to carry out a thorough research and to consider all the relevant considerations before making a final decision. A well-selected domain name can make the difference in the success of your website.
If you want to find the perfect domain name and create a site that fully reflects your reality, contact us at Ekeria. Book now a free call to talk about your project.