Can you name your favourite websites? If so, why? Could you do the same if the website was named only using numbers? Without domain names, that’s unfortunately what you’d have to do. When you enter a website’s name into your browser, you are using its domain name. Domain names are a very coveted resource on the internet. Creating, securing or choosing the best one is paramount for any website. It can be the difference between success or failure in your online endeavours. So how do you create the best one?
One thing to consider (arguably the golden rule) is that less is more. Every person using the internet wants to quickly and easily access the content they want; the fewer keys or taps on the screen they have to do, the better. Nobody wants to have to enter a whole paragraph into the search bar to find your website; you won’t be doing yourself any favours. Following a less is more strategy has more benefits than being easy to access; it also enables your website to be memorable. Memorability is very beneficial for a website. You don’t want to have a website that comes to people as an afterthought or is forgotten about after the first visit. You want your website to be the one on the tip of everyone’s tongue, getting regular repeat visits and a constant flow of traffic.
Including your brand in your domain name is something that you think about doing. Not only is it a great way to advertise your brand and spread your name, but a fantastic way to develop your brand so people can see what you’re about. This is a very common practice, seen in very successful companies: Amazon.com, Youtube.com, Google.com and StylisticDesign.com. When you think about the names of these websites, you always know exactly what type of service or product you’re going to get.
Simplicity is also a factor you want to consider. When you create your domain, you do not want to include any special characters or numbers. Doing this will make your website very difficult for people to search for, as well as reduce its credibility. No one enjoys stretching their fingers to reach the shift key plus another key to enter a symbol, so they will probably avoid visiting your website. Symbols are a bad idea simply because it makes your website look sketchy. I’m certain everyone reading this has received an email from a cunning scammer saying you’ve missed your delivery with a link to Am@z0n.com; or a link to L0yd$ bank to save your bank account from scammers by entering all your account info. Avoiding symbols in your domain is a good idea, you do not want to be associated with websites like that.
One domain is great, but two are even better. After you have decided on the perfect domain name, you may want to consider buying more than one. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go through the whole creative process again, spending countless hours trying to create another masterpiece. It is a good idea to buy domains that are similar to your domain. This will improve your searchability as it can include common spelling mistakes so that your website is still shown and protect your website from sketchy imitations.
Hopefully, you will consider this advice when creating your masterpiece of a domain name.