One of the first decisions you’ll make when starting a new site is what domain name to use.
Your domain name is simply your URL. For example:
- fourpillarfreedom.com
- wandercincinnati.com
- statology.org
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a domain name for your site:
1. Stick with .com, .org, or .net if possible.
A study by website.com showed that your domain extension has no effect on your search results ranking.
That’s good news.
But you should still try to pick a domain name that ends with .com, .org, or .net if possible, simply because readers are more familiar with seeing these domain extensions compared to other extensions like .biz or .info that tend to be used by spammy sites.
2. Shorter is better.
In general, shorter domain names are better simply because they’re easier for readers to remember and recognize.
For example, suppose your site is all about how to maintain a healthy yard. Now consider the following potential domain names for this site:
- yardhero.com
- yourdreamyardmadeeasy.com
Which one is more appealing? More-so, which one are you more likely to click on in the search results?
You probably picked the first domain name. That’s because it’s simple and to the point.
3. Make it obvious.
If possible, pick a domain name that makes your niche obvious to the reader.
For example, when some reader finds wandercincinnati.com in the Google search results it’s pretty obvious what the site is about.
If instead I chose something like exploringqueenofthewest.com, most readers wouldn’t have a clue that “Queen of the West” is a nickname for Cincinnati.
Your domain name should help the reader understand what your site is about, not confuse them.
Examples
Based on the three tips above, let’s walk through a few examples of how to pick a domain name in different niches.
Example 1: Alaska-based travel website.
Domain Name Ideas:
- wanderalaska.com
- alaskaguide.com
- alaskaguru.com
- simplyalaska.com
- visitingalaska.com
Example 2: Chemistry educational website.
Domain Name Ideas:
- learnchem.com
- chemwizard.com
- simplychemistry.com
- easychemistry.com
Example 3: Dirt bike website.
Domain Name Ideas:
- dirtbikelegend.com
- dirtbikeworld.com
- easydirtbikes.com
Conclusion
Don’t spend an ungodly amount of time deciding on a domain name. Pick one that’s short and to the point, register it, then move on to the important work of setting up a content plan and writing articles.
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