How to choose and buy your favourite domain

You see, your domain name is the key element of your website. It can make or break you, so it's crucial to choose a domain name that works for your business.

But wait, why is your domain name so important?

• It's your “first impression”. Your URL is the first thing your visitors will see. A good domain name can make a positive and lasting impression, while a bad domain name can send visitors running.
• It affects SEO. While exact match domains (EMDs) are no longer a necessity, keywords in your domain name can still help your SEO ranking.
• It defines your brand. We'll talk about this in a minute - your domain name is a branding opportunity! The right domain name can increase brand recognition. These elements are only a few of the many reasons why your domain name is so important.

How do you choose the right domain name? That's precisely what we're going to share with you today.

Why? Well, “.com” is the most familiar and easiest to remember.

While there are many successful websites with a “.net” and “.org”, your website will probably do better if it has a “.com” extension. It's the safest bet.

Creative and brandable are always better than generic.

Remember: Your domain name is how visitors will find, remember, and share your company on the web. It is the foundation of your brand.

• Create new words. You can make up your own catchy, new words. That's what Google, Bing, and Yahoo did.
• Use existing words. You can use a thesaurus to find interesting words that fit your brand.
• Use domain name generators. These tools can help you create a unique, brandable domain name from your initial domain ideas and keywords. (We’ll highlight some of our favorite domain name generators later in this post.) In general, when it comes to the length of your domain, shorter is better.

Think of some of the most popular websites in the world. What comes to mind?

Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yahoo, CNN…

One big thing they have in common is that they're all easy to spell.

Your visitors should be able to type your domain name without a problem. If you have to explain the spelling more than once for it to be understood, it's too complicated!

The last thing you want is for the potential visitors to mistype your domain and end up on a different website!

As easily as your domain name rolls off the tips of your fingers, it should roll off the tip of your tongue.

This makes it easier for visitors to share your domain name by word-of-mouth and makes it easier for you to share your site with friends and potential customers.

Write your domain name on a piece of paper and ask 10 people to pronounce it. If more than a few people struggle to pronounce it, you should simplify it.

Before you move forward with a specific domain name, check to see if the name is available on social media sites, as well as if there are any trademarks already registered to the name.

To build your brand, it's ideal to have the same name across your domain and social networks. This builds familiarity and makes it easy for your visitors, fans, and customers to find you around the web.