Domain Name Do’s and Don’ts: Best Practices for Securing Your Brand Online
Choosing the right domain name for your business is crucial for establishing a strong online presence and securing your brand identity. Your domain name serves as the digital address for your website, making it essential to follow best practices to ensure it effectively represents your brand. Here are some dos and don’ts to consider when selecting and managing your domain name:
Tips To Secure a Great Domain for Your Business
1. Use Keywords When Possible:
Domains with keywords instantly describe the business. Good examples of keyword domains are “Hotels.com” and “Crypto.com“. Their branding advantage is that they are easy to remember and communicate. This creates a marketing edge for businesses leveraging descriptive domains. Incorporating relevant keywords into your domain can also improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.
If your preferred keyword is unavailable, consider adding location modifiers or creative prefixes/suffixes to create a unique yet descriptive domain name.
Popular prefixes include “My” and “Best“. Consider the brands “MyPlumber.com” and “BestLawyers.com” for inspiration.
Geographic indicators like the name of your city are often a good idea. For example, if you practice law in Houston, a domain like “HoustonLaw.com” could be fitting your business.
Finally, let’s say you want to create a classified website for boats. You can combine two relevant keywords; “YachtMart.com” would be a fitting example.
2. Avoid Using Numbers (there are exceptions):
Numbers in a domain name can lead to confusion and make it harder for users to remember. That being said, there are exceptions. For instance, the numbers “24“, “247“, and “365” make for great suffixes as they indicate that the business is available around the clock. Furthermore, it could also be an interesting idea to brand a business with a number. The world’s most famous spy, an iconic brand in cinematography and beyond uses the catchy and short domain 007.com.
3. Avoid Hyphens:
It just looks awful! Hyphens can disrupt the flow of your domain name and make it appear less professional. Aim for a seamless, easy-to-read domain name without any special characters.
4. Avoid Typos:
Double-check your domain name to ensure there are no spelling errors that could lead users to a different website. There are cases where typos are interesting, but make sure that the typo is super obvious. For example, the famous ride-sharing app “Lyft” is a typo of “Lift“.
5. Stick to .com or .org Extensions:
While there are more than 1600 domain extensions available, such as .build, .guitar, .store, .shop, and .coffee, it’s best to prioritize .com for business websites and .org for non-profit organizations. The .com and .org extensions are widely recognized and trusted by users, enhancing your brand credibility.
6. Short is Usually Better:
Short domain names are easier to remember, type, and share with others. Aim for brevity when selecting your domain name to maximize its impact. 4-letter .com domains make great brands and are still affordable to this day.
7. Easy to Pronounce:
Your domain name should pass the “radio test” – it should be easy to pronounce and understand, even when heard verbally without visual aid.
8. Easy Spelling:
Choose a domain name with straightforward spelling to minimize the risk of users misspelling it when typing into their browsers.
9. Consider Investing in a Premium Domain:
If no suitable domain is available for registration, consider investing in a premium domain name. While it may require a higher initial investment, a premium domain can offer significant long-term benefits for your brand. A tip for premium domain buyers: Did you know that premium domains can be financed? Domain resellers often offer payment plans to facilitate a domain transactions.
10. Think Long-Term:
View your domain name as an asset that represents a long-term commitment to your business. Choose a domain name that aligns with your brand identity and goals for future growth.
Tips Once You’ve Purchased a Domain Name
Once you have registered or purchased the perfect domain from an accredited domain registrar, it’s key to secure the asset. The following 3 steps are nearly a must for every domain owner.
1. Enable WHOIS Privacy:
Protect your personal information by enabling WHOIS privacy, which prevents your contact details from being publicly accessible in the domain registry database. Most domain registrars offer this service for free, however, some charge a small yearly fee.
2. Enable 2FA:
Enhance the security of your domain account by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access. Some domain registrars also allow you to set security questions. Security questions in combination with 2FA add significant protection to your account.
3. Prepay for Several Years:
The last thing you want is to forget to renew your domain! Secure your domain name for an extended period by prepaying for multiple years of registration. Additionally, ensure you have a valid payment method and backup payment method on file to prevent accidental domain expiration.
Conclusion:
Choosing the perfect domain name for your business is a vital step in building your online presence. By following these simple dos and don’ts, you can secure a domain name that not only reflects your brand but also helps customers find you easily on the web. Remember, your domain name is the digital face of your business, so take the time to select one that will stand the test of time and contribute to the success of your business.
