Choosing the Right Domain Name

Choosing your domain name is as important as choosing your business name.

This is the name that leads to your website and so, careful consideration should be used when deciding which name or names to purchase.  A domain name is the unique URL or address of a website that defines itself from every other website on the World Wide Web. For example, we are Dmac Media Ltd and our domain names are   www.dmacmedia.com, www.dmacmedia.ie and www.ecommercewebsites.ie.

Here are some top tips to choosing and registering when buying a domain name.

• Keep it Simple: Choose a name as close to that of your business brand as possible. It is confusing if your business name is different than that of your domain name. This is especially true if running an ecommerce website. So, if you trade as Flynn the Plumbing Contractor, then flynnplumbing.ie is an obvious choice of name.  Check out availability of domain names on any number of ‘Who Is’ sites including  whois.net, whois.com and whoisdomaintools.com
• Keep it Short: The shorter the domain name the easier it is to type with less chance of misspelling. So don’t be tempted to include everything in the name.  com is not going to get you more traffic. Simple and short.
• Use Keywords: Consider who will be searching for a website such as yours. Do you offer something unique which people may Google?   For example, Buycordlessdrills.com, headphonerepairs.ie or cakedecoration.com and adding these names as ‘aliases’ on your website to increase traffic and ultimately, business.
• Don’t use slang, text-speak, numbers or dashes: Referring back to the keeping it simple motto, do not be tempted to use anything too complicated and remember that not everyone searching for your business is an up to speed techie millennial. Some people still struggle to navigate, so make it easy for them to find you.
• Consider your Geographical Area: This is a Ronseal moment. It does exactly what it says on the tin. Donegalpharmacy.ie, thisiscavan.ie, strandhillsurf.eu. You can see how easily these web addresses will pop up for potential clients with a simple search.
• Do your Homework: Check that you are not inadvertently using a registered trademark, copyrighted or being used by another company.
• Buy a few options: If you can afford to, buy a number of computations of your domain name, including mis-spellings. Dogwalking.ie, dogwalkers.ie, dogwalkers.com, dogwalker.ie etc… This will reduce the competition and increase the number of website hits.

Finally, if you’re ideal domain name is already registered to another business, do not despair.  There are domain auction services that can help you get the domain name you’re interested in — even if it is already in use.  It is likely that it will cost more than the regular domain registration, but if you really feel that it will enhance your business, you may consider it a worthy outlay.