How to choose good domains

Selecting Domains

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Domains

When I first entered the world of domain investing, I had a constant passion and interest, even though I didn’t have a deep knowledge of domains. After a lot of trial and error and experience, I realized that good-named domains are like finding pearls in the sand. As I spent countless hours brainstorming with a good name, I gradually gained confidence and experience in my choices. By avoiding some common mistakes that I should avoid when choosing a domain, I’m sure you’ll get a much more valuable domain.

1. Simple and memorable name

Complex names can confuse visitors and be difficult to remember. Domains such as BestGardens.com are easier to remember than BestGardensAndOutdoorSpaces.com . The goal is to create names that users can easily type and remember.

ex) O FreshBites.com – Memorable, easy to type, and concise.
✘ FreshHealthyOrganicBitesForYou.com – Too long and overwhelming, making it difficult to remember or share.

2. Easy pronunciation test

A good domain name should be easy to say and accurate in spelling. This is helpful in word-of-mouth communication. For example, CafeBuzz.com can communicate much more easily than KaffeeBuzzzzz.com . Always test for clarity by saying the domain of your choice out loud.

ex) O EasyStyle.com – Simple to pronounce and spell.
✘ EZStile.com – Confusing due to unconventional spelling.

3. Short letter selection

Short domains are easier to type and remember. Stick to 6-12 characters for the domain name, excluding the extension. Many short domains are already in use, but creativity can still lead to concise options. For example, FreshBite.com is more effective than FreshHealthyOrganicBites.com Consider acronyms or a blend of two words for an appealing short-letter domain.

ex) O VibeAI.com – A concise, modern feel with relevance to tech and innovation.
✘ VibrantArtificialIntelligence.com – Too lengthy, making it less practical for typing or branding.
O TopFX.com – Short, relevant, and clean for a financial service.
✘ TopForeignExchangeTradingPlatform.com – Overly descriptive and loses the punchy appeal.

4. Prioritize .com

.com extensions are standard for domain names. While newer extensions such as .io and .tech are gaining popularity, .com is universally acknowledged and trusted. If the .com version of the domain you want is not available, be careful if other extensions fit the purpose of the domain.

ex) O BrightTech.com – The .com extension is globally trusted and widely recognized.
✘ BrightTech.xyz – Non-standard extensions can confuse or deter visitors.

5. Avoid numbers and hyphens

Numbers and hyphens cause unnecessary complexity. For example, Go2School.com or Go-To-School.com can cause confusion. The use of numbers and hyphens causes visitors to have confusion of pronunciation and spelling, and makes it difficult for websites to remember addresses. Use plain text if possible.

ex) O HomeCarePlus.com – Clean and professional.
✘ Home-Care-4U.com – Hyphens and numbers make it hard to type and understand.

6. Align with Business Goals

Including relevant keywords for business goals can increase the visibility of websites in search engines. If it’s a business about organic skincare, domains like OrganicGlow.com immediately provide a niche. However, avoid stuffing domains with too many keywords, as it can seem like spam.

ex) O HealthyHarvest.com – Clearly communicates a health-focused business.
O SmartInvestments.com – Includes a single relevant keyword for SEO.
✘ HHHProduce.com – Ambiguous and unaligned with the business message.
✘ InvestMoneyFinanceBankSavings.com – Keyword stuffing reduces trust and professionalism.

7. Verifying Trademark and Copyright

Before you confirm your name, investigate so that you don’t infringe on existing trademarks, otherwise it could lead to legal issues, and you may need to change the domains you’ve already invested in branding and marketing.

ex) O GreenSphere.com – Original and avoids trademark conflicts.
✘ GreenPeaceServices.com – Could infringe on the well-known Greenpeace brand.

8. Brandable Name

Unique, branded domain names stand out and help build trust with visitors. Names like Snapchat.com or Dropbox.com can be creative and easily associated with each brand. Avoid common names that do not differentiate your business.

ex) O UrbanNest.com – Unique and flexible for branding opportunities.
✘ UrbanApartmentRentalsOnline.com – Generic and not easily brandable.

9. long-term thinking

Names that restrict to specific areas of a business niche market require careful consideration and choose a domain that considers the scalability of the business or its usability in various business areas. For example, names such as ChicagoPetSitters.com can be restricted to specific locations, but UrbanPetCare.com allows for broader expansion in the future.

ex) O GlobalPetCare.com – Versatile enough for future business growth.
✘ ChicagoPetSitters.com – Limits your market geographically.

10. Check social media availability

Check with the option that domain names are available on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Ideally, use the same name for domain and social media accounts. Consistency across platforms helps build a consistent brand identity.

ex) O CozyNest.com – Available on multiple social media platforms for consistency.
✘ Cozy_Nest_123.com – Fragmented branding due to unavailable handles.

Choosing a domain name isn’t just a technical decision, it’s a strategic investment in the future of your business. Following these tips will help you remember, brand, and secure a domain that fits your goals. Take the time to brainstorm extensively and prioritize customer convenience and awareness. A good domain name can be the foundation for a successful online presence.