How to come up with a great domain name

Ready to launch an online business or website? The first thing you’ll need is a domain name—and while coming up with one may seem like a trivial matter, it actually requires a great deal of time and attention to create a memorable one. These tips can help you come up with a quality domain name.

Start by making a list of words related to your business or website

A simple way to brainstorm ideas for a domain name is to take out a piece of paper and write down some keywords that are relevant to your site. Think about what your site does, its tone and personality, and how it can help others. Once you’ve come up with 5-10 words or phrases that relate to your website, go through the list and come up with several synonyms for each. (A thesaurus is your best friend here.) Once you’re done, try putting together different combinations until you come up with something memorable.

Then, check for availability

Unfortunately, that perfect domain you have in mind may not be available—so coming up with multiple options and being flexible is in your best interest. Once you have a couple of domain ideas in mind search for them at a domain registrar to see if any are available for registration. Even if the exact URL you want isn’t available, it’s a good idea to browse the alternative suggestions your registrar may provide.

Make sure to do your due diligence

Using a domain name that is too similar to another business or brand can confuse users or, at worst, result in a trademark infringement. Do a quick search of the domain you have in mind before committing to it to ensure that your choice does not come back to bite you. You can use the U.S. trademark database to search for companies, products, and other trademarked material similar to your business or domain.

And remember, shorter is sweeter

The shorter and less complicated a domain is, the better. Try to keep your domain under 15 characters, and avoid using unusual spelling, hyphenation, and complicated words where possible. Ideally, a user should be able to type your domain into their browser correctly on their first attempt.