You probably never thought choosing a domain name was such a big deal. I mean, why not slap a .com at the end of any catchy word or phrase and get on with it?
Well, you can do that, but only if you want to build a brand that is eventually swallowed up in the crowd. Listen, we are in the digital world where a lot of the marketing and brand building efforts happen online.
So, your domain name is more than a URL. Data from Google shows that 82% of smartphone users find local businesses through online search.
In other words, your customers will likely discover your brand on search results before anywhere else. Your domain name will be one of the first things they see on these pages.
As such, you want to leave a good first impression with something that matches your brand identity and resonates with your audience. In this blog post, I will share tips for picking a domain name that makes your local brand stand out online.
1. Consider Your Brand Image and Business Goals
Your domain name should not be separate from your brand. At first glance, it should give people a hint of what your business is all about.
So, if you want something that really resonates with your online audience, think of your website’s purpose and goals. An online platform focused on helping entrepreneurs with SEO marketing will probably have words like digital, strategy, and optimize in the domain name.
These terms instantly tell your audience that your website has the solutions they need.
You also want to consider your brand image. How do you want people to perceive your brand? Playful and goofy, or inspirational and friendly? You could infuse terms that reflect these personalities in your domain name.
Of course, some creativity can come in here, but do not overdo it. Keep it simple enough to make sense to your audience.
2. Include Location-based Terms
Tons of websites exist on the internet. In the US alone, there are more than 147 million domains. Many of these websites exist in your niche, so you’re up against some stiff competition.
That is why your marketing efforts must be super-targeted to place you in front of your customers. When it comes to choosing a domain name, one way to do this is by adding location-based terms to the URL.
For instance, if you are building a platform that reviews restaurants in Florida, you could opt for a domain like floridacafes.com or floridarestaurantshub.com.
Florida-based Internet users searching for the best spots to grab lunch in the city can instantly tell that your website can offer insights to help them. Country-specific top-level domains can also help here.
If you live in the UK, for instance, using a .uk extension ensures your website only shows up for search results around that region. It also tells your target audience that you are an online platform with resources for UK residents.
3. Carry Out Some Keyword Research
Keyword research is one of the most powerful digital marketing strategies. People find businesses and brands online using keywords.
So, if popping up on search results and attracting organic traffic is a priority for you, then pick a domain name with keywords related to your brand and niche.
You can use a keyword and SEO research tool like Google Keyword Planner to find phrases relevant to your industry and products to include in your domain name and make it more relatable.
4. Keep It Simple and Memorable
You want everything about your brand to stick in the minds of your customers, including your domain name. But that is not possible if the domain is difficult to spell or too long to remember in the first place.
Internet users have short attention spans. They want to solve their problems as quickly as possible. Anyone who spends more than some seconds trying to figure out your website’s URL will move on to the next brand that makes their lives easier.
So, when it comes to picking a domain name, keep it short, simple, and easy to recollect. You can start by ditching numbers, special characters, or any weird spellings. Stick with two-word phrases your audience can relate to and remember.
5. Check for Availability
So, you have used the tips in this blog post to craft the perfect domain name. But you cannot use it yet. It os important to check if the name is not already in use by another brand. Also, do some research on social media to find out if there are profiles or pages with this title.
I would recommend checking for trademarks or copyrights attached to your domain name, as well. These checks will save you from any potential legal battles in the future.
You do not want to go from launching a website to looking for a lawyer to defend you in court. Usually, it is best to craft numerous domain names so you can have alternatives if your preferred option is not available.
Conclusion
You can hastily put together any two or three-word phrase with a .com at the end to create your domain name. However, you woll probably come up with something basic that won’t connect with your local audience.
If you really want something unique, you need to put a bit more effort into crafting your domain name. The tips I have shared here can help you discover a domain name that fits your brand image and attracts your target audience.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
