Choosing The Perfect Company Domain: Tips and Tricks

Choosing and registering the perfect company domain sets the tone for your brand’s web identity and can help attract traffic and keep them returning. It has the potential to be very memorable or mediocre. However, with millions of registered domains, finding one can feel like navigating a minefield. In this blog post, we’ll give you tips and tricks to help you select a domain name that resonates with your audience, stands out from the competition, and helps lay the foundation for a successful online business.

What is a Domain Name?

Domain names act as human-readable identifiers for websites. They are substitutes for a website’s actual address on the Internet, known as its Internet Protocol (IP) address. These are the unique numerical labels assigned to every device connected to a network, including web servers. These addresses, like 192.168.1.1, allow devices to identify and communicate with each other. While essential for computers to communicate, they’re not very user-friendly.

A domain name typically consists of three main components:

Second-Level Domain (SLD): This is the primary part of the domain name that typically represents the name of the website and company as in “yoursite” in “yoursite.com”.

Top-Level Domain (TLD): This is the suffix at the end of the domain name, indicating the type or category of the website e.g., “.com” used for most types of business sites, “.org” for non-profit organizations.

Subdomain (optional): This is the prefix that precedes the main domain name, often used to designate specific sections or subdomains of a website (e.g., “store.yoursite.com”).

Types of Domain Extension Explained

When registering a domain for your business, an important thing to consider is the TLD (the suffix mentioned previously) you use. Here are a few examples and how they can help give you an ideal company domain.

The .com extension is considered the most recognizable and trusted globally. It is usually the default choice for most businesses with a broad target audience. This is due to it being associated with established, professional companies.

However, due to its immense popularity, many desirable .com web addresses are already registered. This high demand can also lead to expensive domain name registration prices, especially if the SLD is a common word or phrase.

The “.net” TLD can be a strong alternative to the highly popular .com. Originally intended for network-related companies; it’s now widely used for various websites. This broader adoption means a higher chance of finding your desired domain name.

However, it’s important to consider that “.net” doesn’t hold the same level of global recognition as .com. This might be a factor for businesses outside the tech space, where a broader audience familiarity is desired.

New gTLDs like the increasingly popular “.io”, along with “.store”, and “.ai” can offer more creativity and specificity for your company domain. They can also potentially provide a clearer message about your website and business. With less competition compared to established TLDs like “.com,” you’re more likely to find a well-suited domain using a newer gTLD.

However, it’s important to consider that newer gTLDs might not have the same level of global recognition as “.com.”  While they offer advantages in branding and availability, reaching a broader audience might be easier with a more established TLD.

ccTLDs offer a unique way to tailor your web address to a certain country. Using a ccTLD instantly signals your connection to a location, which can increase trust if you are targeting a local audience.

Some search engines prioritize websites with ccTLDs when users conduct localized searches. This can be particularly advantageous if your target market resides within a specific country.

Ultimately, the right TLD for your business’s domain depends on your specific goals and target audience.

What Makes a Good Company Domain Name

First, your domain name should accurately reflect the nature of your business, products, or services. This helps potential customers understand your website’s content and can also improve your search engine visibility.

Brandable

A good domain name should be brandable, meaning it should be unique, distinctive, and easily recognizable. It can help to make your business more memorable to potential customers.

Memorable

The ideal company domain name should be easy to remember. This increases the chances of people recalling and revisiting your website. Memorable domains are often short and simple. Avoid complicated or overly long domain names that can easily be forgotten or confused with other websites.

Short and Simple

Shorter domain names are preferable as they are easier to type, remember, and share. Aim for a domain length of around 6-14 characters if possible. Longer domains can be confusing and may increase the likelihood of typos or mistakes when entered into a browser.

Easy to Spell and Pronounce

Choose a domain name that is easy to spell and pronounce, especially if you plan to advertise it offline or through audio channels. Avoid using uncommon words, complex abbreviations, or combinations of letters that could be confusing or ambiguous when spoken aloud.

Tips and Tricks

Keyword Research

This involves finding search terms people use to find information or products related to yours. Brainstorm and start with broad terms about your niche and delve deeper into specific topics.

Next, see what keywords your competitors are using. You can use free and paid keyword research tools to discover search volume, competition level, and related keywords.

While keywords in your domain might be a minor SEO (Search Engine Optimization) factor, it doesn’t have much of an impact on overall rankings. Domain names with relevant keywords can be more noticeable in search results, especially if the user’s search query exactly matches the keywords in the domain.

Brand Identity

Your domain name is an important part of your brand. Here’s how to ensure it reflects your company’s core values:

List your company’s core principles and choose a domain that resonates with those values. 

Understand the established language and visual cues within your industry. This can provide a foundation for your domain name, but don’t be afraid to add a unique twist to stand out.

Choose keywords that will remain relevant over time. Analyze your competitors’ domain names and branding to see what’s working and identify opportunities to differentiate yourself.

Protect Your Domain

Register Additional Domains: Registering additional domains related to your business or brand can help protect your online presence. This includes variations of your primary domain (e.g., yourbrand.com, yourbrands.com, yourbrand.net) and misspellings that users might accidentally type. Owning these additional domains prevents others from acquiring them and reduces the risk of brand confusion or cybersquatting.

Trademark Search: Research existing trademarks to ensure your desired domain name doesn’t infringe on someone else’s registered trademark. This process helps avoid legal disputes and potential infringement claims down the line.

Domain Privacy and Protection: Domain protection and privacy help conceal your personal or business contact information from the public WHOIS database, where domain registration details are typically displayed.

This helps prevent spam, identity theft, and unwanted solicitations. Additionally, some domain registrars offer protection services that monitor for potential domain hijacking or unauthorized transfers, providing an extra layer of security for your valuable online assets.

Use Hyphens

When your preferred domain name is unavailable, adding hyphens can create a variation that may still be available for registration. For example, if “yourwebsite.com” is taken, you could try alternatives like “your-website.com”.

Using hyphens can increase your chances of finding an available domain name that is still closely related to your first choice, helping maintain recognition and memorability.

However, it’s important to note that overusing hyphens can make a domain name look spammy or unprofessional. It’s recommended to use hyphens sparingly and have one or two hyphens at the most.

Register Your Company Domain with Hosted.com

We make registering your domain quick and effortless. Just follow these steps and you’ll have your new domain up and running in no time.

Step 1: Head over to Hosted.com’s Domain Search tool. Enter your desired domain name and choose the TLD that best suits your needs. The tool will show you if your dream domain is available. We’ll also suggest alternatives and additional domains to register with it.

Step 2: If your desired domain is available, add it to your cart and click “Next.”  Here, you’ll choose your registration and renewal period, typically ranging from 1 to 10 years. Select the option that aligns with your long-term plans.

Step 3: Proceed to checkout. Existing Hosted.com customers can log in with their credentials. New customers will need to create a new account by providing basic information.

Step 4: On the secure form, enter your company’s domain registrant information, including name, email address, and phone number. Ensure the details are accurate for future communication.

Step 5: Follow the prompts to complete the secure payment process. We offer various payment options and methods to suit your needs.

Step 6: Keep an eye on your inbox! You’ll receive an email from us with instructions to verify your domain registration and finalize the process.

Step 7: Once your domain is successfully registered, you can easily manage it through our secure Client Portal. It allows you to update settings, manage DNS records, and access all your Hosted.com products such as Web Hosting and email accounts all in one place.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. A domain name is a unique address that identifies your website online, allowing users to find and access your site.
2. A good company domain name should be brandable, memorable, short, easy to spell and pronounce, and relevant to your business or industry.
3. Different domain extensions convey different meanings and serve different purposes. Choose the one that best aligns with your business goals and target audience.
4. While .com remains the most popular and recognizable choice, consider newer gTLDs or ccTLDs that align with your industry or business type.
5. Incorporating relevant keywords into your domain can improve your search engine visibility but be sure to balance keyword usage and memorability.
6. Simple, short, and easy-to-remember domain names attract and retain visitors more effectively.
7. Your company domain should accurately represent your brand’s values, industry, and long-term vision. Thoroughly research domain availability, and potential trademark conflicts, and implement measures to protect your brand’s online identity.
8. Registering your domain with Hosted.com is a straightforward process involving checking availability, setting up an account with your registrant info, selecting your registration period, completing the secure checkout, and verifying ownership.

FAQs

Other Blogs of Interest:

– Exploring AI Domains: The Future of Web Addresses

– .com vs .co: A Complete Guide to Two Popular Domain Extensions

– Can You Buy a Domain Name Forever? What You Need to Know

– Domain Name Search Tips: How to Find a Domain Name

– Domain Security: Best Practices