To succeed in today’s world, what’s something your business needs? A solid, well-established presence online.
One way to do that is by setting up a domain. While it’s true there are many other ways, such as social media, to build an online presence, establishing your brand identity on the internet begins with registering your own domain.
If you’re ready to set up your own website or transition away from using a third party publishing platform, the first step is choosing a domain name.
Don’t know where to start? In today’s article, we’ll be discussing why your business needs a domain name, what it contains and how you can choose yours.
Why Do You Need A Domain Name?
To have a presence on the web, you don’t necessarily need to have a domain name.
You can, however, have more power over how you’re perceived online if you have one. Are you building a brand or a business? A domain name of your own is a must if you want to gain credibility, create brand recognition and build trust with your customers.
What exactly is a domain name? When people want to visit your website, this is what they type into their browser. It’s how people find you. Think of it as giving someone the address to your office or shop.
You can also think of it as the first impression that a potential customer will have of your company. Just like a storefront gives shoppers a glimpse of what’s inside, a URL does the same. In order to make that good first impression, your domain name should be distinctive.
What Does A Domain Name Contain?
A domain name is made of two main parts:
- Second-level domains (SLDs)
When people think of a website’s name, they typically think of a second-level domain. Found on the left side of the extension, or top-level domain, this is the name of your business.
- Top-level domains (TLDs)
Also known as domain extensions, this is the small set of letters that can be found after the dot or to the right of your SLD.
A few of the most common are:
- .com: “commercial” – the first TLD to be introduced, initially intended for commercial and business activities
- .org: “organization” – originally created for non-profits, today it’s also used by communities and schools
- .gov: “government” – this is used exclusively by government agencies
- .edu: “education” – reserved for educational institutions, it’s mainly used by American schools
- .net: “network” – originally intended for technology organizations, it’s now used by all kinds of businesses
How to Choose A Domain Name
Since your domain name can have an effect on your website’s success and your brand identity, choosing yours carefully is essential. Remember that search engines, especially Google, assign higher rankings to domain names that are straightforward and simple.
When choosing your domain name:
Make sure that it’s easy to remember, pronounce and spell: Avoid using special characters such as hyphens or too many numbers. Doing so can make it harder to remember and pronounce.
Don’t choose a generic one: Even if you haven’t established your brand yet, choosing an relevant, brand-appropriate domain name can help.
Use a domain extension that makes sense for your business: Although it will depend on the kind of business you have, in general, “.com” is the best option.
Consider the length: Ideally, your domain name should be between 6 and 14 characters long. The shorter you make it, the better.
Verify it’s not already taken: Checking this is important to avoid trademark infringement.
Include your keywords: In particular the ones that best represent your business and the products or services you offer. Your SEO ranking can be improved by having keywords in your domain name.
If You Need a Consulting Regarding Selecting a Domain Name, Sanchelima & Associates Can Help
Sanchelima & Associates, P.A. is one of the leading intellectual property law firms in South Florida. With over 40 years of experience, we have represented the IP interests of a wide array of businesses in the US and abroad, including Fortune 500 companies. Whether you need a consultation or prosecution of a patent, trademark, or copyright, we can protect your business’s interests.
Contact us to book your consultation!
