How to Choose a Domain Name: 9 Tips

How thoroughly should you think about your domain name?

Is it really that important?

If you have a quality website and business, people will visit your site no matter what the domain is, right?

Well, not so fast…

You see, your domain name is the key element of your website. It can make or break you, so it’s crucial to choose a domain name that works for your business. But wait, why is your domain name so important?

Your domain name is your website’s “first impression.”

It’s often the first thing visitors notice and a well-chosen domain name can leave a strong positive impact. On the flip side, a poorly selected one can drive potential visitors away before they even explore your content. Most importantly, your domain name defines your brand. It’s a golden opportunity to establish your identity online and build recognition.

The right domain name can enhance trust, credibility and memorability. These are just a few of the many reasons why your domain name matters so much. But how do you pick the perfect domain name?

That’s exactly what we’re going to guide you through today.

How to Come Up With a Good Domain Name

1. Choose the right domain extension

When it comes to domain name extensions, one thing is clear: “.com” is still the gold standard. Research from W3Techs shows that 44% of all domains use the “.com” extension.

Why?

Because it’s the most familiar, widely recognized, and easiest to remember. People naturally associate “.com” with credibility and professionalism. While other extensions like “.net” and “.org” can work well for specific purposes, your website will likely perform better with a “.com” extension. It’s the safest and most reliable choice.

Our recommendation: Choose a “.com” domain if possible. If it’s unavailable, consider “.net” or “.org” as alternatives. If those are also taken, it’s time to brainstorm a new domain name. And a quick tip—avoid unconventional extensions like “.club,” “.space,” or “.pizza.” They might seem creative but often confuse users and lack trustworthiness.

2. Keep it brandable

A creative, brandable domain name is always better than a generic one.

Your domain name is the cornerstone of your online identity—it’s how visitors find, remember, and share your business. A strong domain sets the foundation for your brand. Brandable vs. Generic Domains The key difference lies in uniqueness: Brandable domains are distinctive and memorable, helping your business stand out. Generic domains often rely on keywords, making them bland and forgettable.

Consider this: Can you easily distinguish between Healthinsurance.net, Newhealthinsurance.com, and Healthinsurancesort.com? Likely not.

These generic names are overloaded with keywords, lack meaning, and fail to leave a lasting impression. Nobody raves about Insurance.com because it feels generic and uninspired. Adding variations of “insurance” only makes the domain blend into a crowded market. On the other hand, domains like UnitedHealthCareOnline.com or Anthem.com resonate because they represent something unique and trustworthy.

Tips for Finding a Brandable Domain Name:

• Invent new words.
• Create unique and catchy terms, just like Google, Bing, and Yahoo did.
• Use existing words. Explore a thesaurus for meaningful, interesting words that align with your brand.
• Try domain name generators.

These tools can help brainstorm creative, brandable domains based on your ideas and keywords. (We’ll share some top domain name generators later in this post.)

3. Shorter is better

When it comes to domain names, shorter is almost always better.

Research from DomainRegistration.com.au shows that the most popular domain names average around 12 characters. (In this context, “popular” refers to the amount of web traffic a site receives.)

This data highlights the importance of keeping your domain name concise.

Tips for Domain Length:

• Aim for 6-14 characters—the shorter, the better.
• Keep in mind that many shorter domains were claimed long ago and often sell for thousands of dollars. If a short name isn’t available, focus on making it brandable instead.

For example, our domain, websitesetup.org, is exactly 12 characters—right in the sweet spot.

4. Easy to spell

Think about some of the most popular websites in the world—what comes to mind? Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Yahoo, CNN… One thing they all have in common?

They’re easy to spell.

Your domain name should be simple enough for visitors to type without hesitation. If you find yourself repeatedly explaining how to spell it, it’s too complicated. A complicated domain increases the risk of potential visitors mistyping it and landing on another website—a situation you definitely want to avoid.

Here’s a quick test: Share your potential domain name with 10 people and ask them to spell it. If several of them struggle, it’s time to rethink and simplify.

5. Avoid hyphens and numbers

A good domain name should be easy to spell and pronounce—hyphens and numbers make both harder.

Imagine trying to explain Facebook if it had a hyphen: “Check out this new site, Face-Book. Don’t forget the hyphen between ‘Face’ and ‘Book.’”

Chances are, Facebook wouldn’t have taken off as quickly with that kind of confusion. The takeaway? Your domain name should be smooth, memorable, and easy to share.

Hyphens and numbers disrupt that flow. Stick to letters to keep it simple and impactful.

6. Use “niche” keywords that reflect your website

Including niche keywords in your domain name can help communicate your website’s focus and improve SEO. For example, our site is all about web development and helping people create websites. That’s why we included “website” in our name—WebsiteSetup. While domains like website.com or website.org weren’t available, we crafted a name that reflects our niche and purpose.

Be Cautious with Keywords: Avoid awkwardly stuffing keywords into your domain; this can make it sound generic and forgettable (as we discussed earlier). If you use keywords, position them at the beginning of your domain for maximum SEO impact.

Tools like Google Keyword Planner or KeywordTool.io can help you discover relevant keywords to incorporate seamlessly into your domain.

7. Think long-term, not short term

Choosing a domain name is a big commitment—it’s like marrying your brand. Your domain will define your business for years to come, so it’s important to get it right the first time. Changing your domain later can be costly, both financially and in terms of branding and SEO rankings. It’s a hassle you’ll want to avoid. Plan for the Future: When selecting your domain name, think about your long-term goals.

For instance, if your business focuses on helping companies optimize their websites for SEO, a domain like OptimizedSEO.com might seem perfect. But if you anticipate expanding into broader digital marketing services, such as email marketing or PPC, this domain could feel too limiting.

Avoid Boxing Yourself In: Don’t tie your domain too closely to a specific niche if you foresee growth into other areas. Choose a name that aligns with your current mission while leaving room for future expansion.

Pro Tip: Always keep your long-term vision in mind to ensure your domain remains relevant and flexible as your business evolves.

8. Ensure it’s not trademarked or already in use

Before finalizing your domain name, make sure it’s available on social media platforms and isn’t already trademarked.

Having the same name across your domain and social media accounts is crucial for building a consistent brand. This helps visitors, fans, and customers easily find you across the web and fosters familiarity.

Why It Matters:

• Using a name already trademarked could lead to legal issues, so it’s best to steer clear of those.
• If the name is taken on social media, it can create confusion and dilute your brand identity.

9. Use domain generators for fresh ideas

By now, you should have a general idea of some potential words for your domain name.

However, some of these ideas might already be taken, trademarked, or not quite the right fit in terms of sound or style. That’s where domain name generators come in handy.

These tools can transform your ideas into fresh, creative, and available domain names.

Here are some top domain name generators to try.