The first step towards establishing an online presence is choosing a domain. The right domain name for your website is critical, for both your search engines and target audience. You are advised to overlook the existing fads and trends and choose a name that makes sense for the subject matter now and the next ten years to come.
Buying a domain name can be a unique experience for people who have never owned a website. As a blogger or a business owner, the domain name you choose should be ideal for your potential target base and search engines, and most importantly, you need to find the best registrar to buy your new domain name from.
In this post, we will discuss the main factors to consider before buying a domain name.
#1 Research, Research, and Research
A little bit of homework can go a long way. Before you buy a domain, it is advised that you find similar sites of your niche and check out your competitors. Review the domain names they are using. There are plenty of online search tools that you can use to search domain names. You can search the domain name using keywords. It helps in providing the popularity of specific words in domain names.
#2 Look for Domains that are Easy to Remember and Type
Whether you are planning to optimize your site for search engines or simply want to have an online presence, you would want a domain name that people can type and remember. Avoid multiple numbers, hyphens and other characters, odd spellings of words, and so forth. People hearing your name should know how to type it, without having to say things like ‘dash-dash’ or ‘the number 7.’
#3 If Possible, Stick with .Com
Most people assume that a domain name ends with .com. Hence, if you get a domain name with one of the other extensions such as .org, .info, .net, etc. you will have some extra work to get users to remember that your site has a different extension. However, don’t automatically assume that domains ending with .com will make your site more relevant. Many websites have done quite well and are still doing with other extensions. When you are looking for a domain, you will get to know that .com extension is a bit pricier than other extensions.
#4 Avoid Trademarked Domains
Refrain from buying domains that are just a reflection of another domain name. This may help confuse people, but going for trademarked domains, you are opening yourself up to having a complaint filed against you and having to give up the domain name. Even if you are not buying a trademarked domain name to create confusion, you may face legal challenges.
#5 Watch Out for Hidden Fees
Price can be a significant factor when purchasing a domain name. It is easy to be persuaded into buying a domain at cheap price. Don’t be fooled, some of the domain registrars offer domains at meager cost as part of their promotional pricing, but then hide lots of fees in the contract.
The right domain name can improve your web presence and grow your online traffic. Hence, you would want to take your time to prepare beforehand and do your research.