There are about 33,000 domain name registrations every day! That figure alone proves two facts – the competition in every industry and the importance of marking your unique presence on the web.
A domain name is like a digital visiting card for a business. It gives the world an idea about your company while piquing someone’s interest to learn more based on that one phrase. Hence, first impressions do matter here!
Choosing a domain name for your website can seem simple. You simply write your company’s name, choose a .com or your specific country’s extension, and call it a day, right? Sadly, no. A few rights and wrongs can make or break the integrity of your website and your business’s future online.
Listed below are 10 common errors businesses tend to make when registering domain names. Use this as a guide or a checklist to ensure your chosen domain name is devoid of these so your website can flourish as you envisioned in your business plan.
Table of Contents
- 1. Using numbers
- 2. Using double letters
- 3. Using hyphenated names
- 4. Using long names OR broken words
- 5. Using SLULRS
- 6. Not checking trademarks
- 7. Using homophones
- 8. Not check the domain’s registration history
- 9. Considering just one domain extension
- 10. Forgetting social media handles
- Decide, lock, and register!
1. Using numbers
While using numbers might seem a clever way to stand out, it can backfire. Imagine explaining “goods4you.com” over the phone. Not exactly user-friendly. Numbers can also appear spammy in search results. Think about it: how many reputable businesses include their phone numbers in their domain names?
2. Using double letters
If you’re choosing a domain name with 2 or more words, having the same alphabet at the end of one word and the beginning of the next makes things as confusing as this sentence. Fact check: does this sound easy to type from a user’s perspective – www.samsstore.co? Not really. So, keep it simple in the domain and get creative in other content.
3. Using hyphenated names
For individuals who’ve decided on a multiple-word domain name, hyphenating it might seem logical, especially to avoid mistake #2. But it can backfire just as quickly. Imagine verbally telling someone your domain name as they type; what is most natural – writing a continuous sentence in the URL bar or like so: this-domainname.com or this-domain-name.com? This is where you can lose your audience. So, avoid it.
4. Using long names OR broken words
Combined advice: both are bad. As clever and memorable a domain name like “dogsandcatsfunnyvideos.com” might sound, it is not a good marketing practice in the long run. Same goes for broken spellings like “kristieskandles.com”. Think of your audience and how simply you can present your website URL to them and do that.
5. Using SLULRS
A slurl is a blending of the words “slur” and “URL” (well, a word and an acronym – Uniform Resource Locator). A domain name becomes a slurl if it means entirely different from what the phrase would actually mean when written with spacing. Here’s a simple example to ward you off this error for good: “childrenswear.com.”
6. Not checking trademarks
Before getting too attached to a domain name, ensure it doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks. A quick online search can save you legal headaches down the road. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers a free trademark search tool (https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search) to help you ensure your chosen name is clear for use.
7. Using homophones
How good is your grammar? Do you know the difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re”? Yes? Amazing! Then, you’ll see why avoiding homophones is recommended, if possible. An alternative is to register two domain names with each word or each word spelled differently. Then, you can redirect one of those domains to the other. For example, if someone types “www.writesright.com,” they may be redirected to “www.rightwrites.com.” And if someone types “www.breakbrakes.com,” they may be redirected automatically to “www.brakebreaks.com.”
8. Not check the domain’s registration history
As you wouldn’t start a business without a proper market analysis, don’t register a domain name without checking its registration history. A simple way is to use a WHOIS lookup tool to see if the domain name you’re considering has been used for spammy or malicious purposes. Services like DomainIQ can also provide detailed historical information on domain ownership, so you don’t end up inviting unsolicited issues.
9. Considering just one domain extension
If you are a local business, choosing a region-specific domain name & extension can seem logical. But only if you’re never planning on expanding nationally or globally. Do your research for both – your options AND your competition so you don’t end up choosing a .com domain extension when there is an identical domain name with a .net or .org domain extension active!
A domain name is just one home for your business; you shouldn’t solely focus on that. Craft a detailed plan that also considers your company’s online presence across social media platforms. Perform a thorough check to ensure your chosen domain name is available for social media handles so your users can intuitively switch from one platform to the next.
Decide, lock, and register!
Registering a domain name is an investment and the beginning of your association with your audience. Make sure it’s well-thought-out, researched, and fact-checked so there are no issues as you grow your business.
