Techblog
How to choose a web domain name that helps your business
There's a lot more involved in domain-name hunting than simply adding www to the front of your company name. Here are some simple guidelines to follow.
Your domain name is what sets you uniquely apart from every other website on the internet. But with over 250 million names already registered and a slew of new extensions popping up all the time, how do you choose a name that is not only unique, but easy to remember?
If the process of choosing the right domain name is making you a bit flustered, here are some easy tips to help you break it down.
Brainstorm keywords
If your desired domain name is available - congratulations! For everyone else, you will need to brainstorm. Write a list of five keywords that best describe your business or brand. Think about whether you want to focus on your company name (e.g. www. thebicyclecompany .com), target the category that your product or service plays in (e.g. www. foldablebicycles .com), or create a recognisable brand for your product (e.g. www. ezfoldbike .com). Play around with different combinations of words until you find something that is catchy, emblematic and will stand the test of time.
Remember that your domain name will affect your search engine optimisation, so choose something that people may search for.
Keep it short and simple
Although it can contain up to 67 characters, the shorter your domain name the better. Shorter names are easier for people to both remember and type, making it less likely they'll enter the wrong thing. When choosing a domain name, you want to keep your URL and site name as similar as possible to avoid confusion. Avoid cryptic acronyms and ambiguous spellings. It is okay, however, to shorten certain words as long as it's not confusing, such as changing "magazine" to "mag".
But what if I really want my preferred name?
If you really want a particular name and it's already taken, consider using the same name with a single dash. For example, instead of bluebayou.com, try blue-bayou.com instead. While it may increase the chances of a misspelling, it may be preferable to a less identifiable name that customers will find even harder to remember.
Pick the right extension
Your extension is just as important as your actual domain name. Some of the more common extensions in use today are .com, .net, .org, and .info. As a general rule, always pick a .com extension for your domain name, since that is what people are familiar with.
If .com is not available, you can use .net, or add a country code, such as .com.sg or .sg for Singapore, keeping in mind that such an extension will limit your scope geographically and may require additional registration steps to satisfy local regulations. However, for Singapore-based businesses, using a country code will be an advantage when it comes to local search results. To cover all your bases, purchase both .com and .com.sg and have them redirect to one site.
Don't infringe on any copyrights
Like choosing a name for your business, be sure you're not treading on anyone else's copyright before you register. For example, never use a trademarked word as part of your domain name - it can lead to serious problems down the road.
And last but not least, if your preferred name is taken but not in use, you also have the option of trying to buy it from the owner. You can find the contact details of the owner by going to whois.com, although be prepared to pay a premium. Good luck and happy domain-name hunting.
Get your unique business domain name with Singtel Business Domain Name. Your domain name will be renewed automatically which ensures your business continuity.