Both your domain name and URL are important factors when it comes to search, especially if you want your business name to stay in the ranks. More than being just a destination where visitors find you, your domain also has an impact on search engine results – your online visibility. There is a multitude of domain options available for your business, but by using some of the best practices when choosing a domain name, you can achieve optimal results. Check these out.

Keywords are your best friend. Before you proceed to your chosen domain registrar, it’s wise to do some brainstorming session first. At least think of three to five keywords when doing this exercise. The best practice is that these phrases must clearly define what your business does. Converge them and see what looks right and makes sense. Just let it flow, don’t force the process.

Let’s say you are starting a local salon. Some terms you want to include would be your city, parlor, haircut, salon and so on. You can make use of prefixes and suffixes to create a good domain that will work. For example, you may end up with a domain like expertcutsalon.com.

Make it unique. Your domain forms a part of your brand so make sure that it stands out to get maximum results for you and your users. A domain that resembles another popular brand closely is rarely a good idea since it can lead to confusion.

Be careful when creating a domain name that’s too unique. It can lead to big trouble if you force an alternative spelling of a common word.

Prefer .COM. If you’re looking to create a long-term brand online, you can’t go wrong with a .com. Of course, you can use others like .net or .org, but having the .com or other TLD for your target market-country should be the goal.

The most crucial benefit is for your users. .com carries the most trust while there are thousands of TLDs to choose from. Many internet users are still unaware of other TLDs and may hesitate when they see one, so make it easy for your users and just choose a .com. 

KISS. Or Keep it Short and Simple. Shorter URLs are easier to type and remember. They fit easier on business cards and look better in other offline media. Difficult words to spell and long URL can be frustrating to your end-users.

If the user experience is impacted, your business will suffer even if you may be able to add a nice keyword with a long URL.

Beware trends. A trending domain naming now doesn’t mean that it will always be on top. Copying what others are doing can lead you down a bad path. Shy away from weird spellings and use of hyphens or numbers. Just keep it focused, simple and easy to remember.

Your domain name is your online activity, it’s where you do business online. Just like a physical address, location matters. Choosing a domain that easily tells your user and search engines who you are and what your business is can help establish your brand online. Choose a domain wisely; take your time and pick the one you’ll stick with.

By Eddy

Eddy is the editorial columnist in Business Fundas, and oversees partner relationships. He posts articles of partners on various topics related to strategy, marketing, supply chain, technology management, social media, e-business, finance, economics and operations management. The articles posted are copyrighted under a Creative Commons unported license 4.0. To contact him, please direct your emails to [email protected].