FAQ Guide: How to Secure the Right Domain For Your Business

FAQ Guide: How to Secure the Right Domain For Your Business

Choosing a domain name is one of the first steps to establish a digital presence for your brand. Because your domain name is a core element of your brand identity, you must be strategic and thoughtful about your chosen name. 

Read on to gain insight into the most common questions and answers about selecting and setting up a domain name to pick the right domain for your brand’s online presence. 

What makes a good domain name?

Your domain name is a valuable asset that your customers will use to access your website, so it should be memorable and representative of your brand. Additionally, it’s crucial to select a domain name that is: 

• Unique
• Descriptive
• Succinct

In particular, short, succinct domain names are often easier to remember. In fact, the average domain name length of the top 10,000 most popular websites is only eight characters before the dot. 

Impactful domain names also incorporate thoughtful keywords or memorable brand references while still being easy for customers to recall.

Should I use hyphens in my domain?

While hyphens can help break up long domains that have multiple words, they are far less effective for non-visual mediums such as word of mouth marketing and radio advertising. Hyphens will also make a long URL even longer, presenting challenges when including your URL on printed materials such as business cards and billboards.

If you find yourself trying to make a long URL work using hyphens, consider instead an alternate TLD, like in this example:

Instead of: Wash-Park-Apartments.com

Consider: WashPark.Apartments

Should I use misspelled words in my URL?

For small and emerging businesses without strong brand recognition, URLs with purposely misspelled words can complicate offline advertising and create unnecessary confusion within the marketplace. Some of the world’s leading brands – i.e. Lyft.com – utilize misspelled words successfully to support their brand but they back it up with massive investments in brand awareness. Lyft.com is also an app-based business and doesn’t require users to remember a url. 

Is it bad to use numbers in a domain?

Using numbers in URLs can be tricky. Numbers can reduce characters in a URL and make it stand out on a search page but, similar to hyphens, numbers can complicate offline advertising and word of mouth referrals; to prospects who are unfamiliar with your brand, not knowing whether a number is spelled out or not can make recall harder. Companies like Motel 6, who use numbers successfully in their URL, have strong brand recognition and ubiquitous signage reinforcing the use of the number ‘6’.

Should my domain name be my business name?

Your domain name can be your business name, but it’s not essential. The most obvious benefit of using your business name for your domain name is that it may be easier for your customers to find your website. 

However, you can achieve a similar effect with any domain name that clarifies what your business does. For example, a florist called My Garden could use the domain name mygarden.florist

Should I use domain extensions other than .com?

A domain extension refers to the keyword after the dot in your digital address. Common domain extensions include .COM, .ORG, and .NET, though you can take advantage of various descriptive domain extensions, such as .AI, .BIO, or .PHOTO.

While no domain extension is necessarily better than another, there are some unique benefits to choosing a descriptive domain. For instance, a descriptive domain extension can: 

• Help your brand stand out from competitors
• Position your brand as an expert in your industry 
• Present your brand as innovative and forward-thinking 
• Enhance your domain name memorability

Depending on the availability of your ideal domain name, consider securing both a .COM extension and a descriptive extension for enhanced branding. Securing your domain name under multiple extensions can also help you claim full ownership of your digital identity and prevent competitors from securing a similar domain name. 

For example, a clothing boutique may register domain names with .COM, .BOUTIQUE, and .SHOP extensions. In this case, you could set up each domain to redirect to the same website, helping you capture as much traffic as possible.

How do you check domain name availability?

You can check the availability of a domain name by using domain name search tools. For instance, Name.com’s Domain Name Checker lets you know if your desired domain name is taken or available. If it’s taken, Name.com will go a step further, offering other relevant, available domain name options 

What should I do if my domain name is taken?

If your domain name is taken, there are several avenues to pursue. Sometimes, the domain name’s owner may be interested in selling it. You can search the WHOIS database to find the contact information of the registrant and reach out. 

You can also look for the same domain name with a different extension. For instance, if the .COMoption isn’t available, consider using a domain extension relevant to your industry. For example, an attorney could opt for a .LAWYER a realtor could adopt .REALTY, and a travel planner could use .TRAVEL. 

Another strategy is localizing your domain name by adding in your location. For example, a Texas ballet instructor might select txballet.dance if the ballet.dance domain name that they initially wanted is already taken.

How do I buy a domain name?

Once you choose a domain name and confirm its availability, you can purchase it through an accredited registrar like Name.com. 

Remember that you can register domain names for different periods, typically one to 10 years. Once you make your purchase, you can use that domain name and connect it to a website.

How do I keep my domain name secure?

You can keep your domain name safe and secure by working with a reputable registrar who offers advanced security features. Start by creating a strong password for your account to manage your domain name and website. Then, consider engaging the domain lock feature with your registrar, which helps prevent unauthorized individuals from hijacking your domain name. 

Keep your contact information up-to-date in your registrar’s system to ensure you can always access your domain’s administrative settings. It’s also helpful to set your domain to renew automatically to ensure your registration stays active and prevent your website from becoming disabled.

Find your ideal domain name with Name.com

With some planning, brainstorming, and know-how, you can secure a custom domain name that enhances your brand identity and drives traffic to your website. 

Start by exploring domain names with Name.com’s Domain Name Checker. Once you find the right fit, take the first step toward creating a memorable and unique online presence by registering your domain with Name.com.

Sources

Business.com. Business Domain Names: Everything You Need to Know. https://www.business.com/articles/the-perfect-domain-11-important-facts-about-domain-names/

ICANN. About WHOIS. https://whois.icann.org/en/about-whois
 Name.com. Registering a domain. https://www.name.com/support/articles/205188678-registering-a-domain#:~:text=Registering%20a%20domain%20name%20means,a%20max%20of%2010%20years.