News article posted on: 24-06-2019
Tips for buying the right domain name
Sometimes the simplest things in life are a lot more complicated than they first appear. While buying a domain name isn’t going to take weeks to work out, it does need careful research and planning. Choosing the right domain name is vital—get it wrong, and it could be a financial disaster. The tradeoff, however, is, get a domain name right, and the possibilities are endless.
CHOOSE A DOMAIN NAME THAT WORKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
With significant importance placed on getting a domain name that fits your company image, and attracts customers, we have collated some essential advice to consider when picking your domain.
1. Use keywords that are easy to type
Although fancy words and the clever use of numbers and letters are all the rage, they may not be suitable as a domain name. Not only should your domain include keywords related to the industry or sector you operate within, but they should be easy to recognize. Substituting letters for numbers may be part of your companies original branding, but make sure that translates to a domain name that people will be able to type.
2. Where possible, always pick .com
Unless your website is being built for a particular purpose (informational, technical, or nonprofit), then .com reigns supreme when it comes to domain name extensions. Instinctively, most users will try .com at the end of a domain name when putting it in a browsers search bar. However, don’t just take our word for it. Data suggest over 45% of domain names are registered with the .com suffix.
3. Check your domain name is available
Sounds obvious, but it is unlikely you are the first company to want a specific domain name. If the perfect domain is taken, you have can always contact the owner to see whether they would consider selling. Domain names range in price from several pounds to millions, so it is a gamble. In most cases, the process shouldn’t be too costly, and if the domain name is perfect, it may be your only choice. If there is wriggle room in how your domain name is formatted, head to tip number 5.
4. Check to see if your domain name is available on social media platforms
Your domain name should be an extension of your company identity. Depending on whether your business is an existing one, or just starting for the first time, it is definitely worth syncing your domain with your digital presence on social media. Either find a domain name that you like first, and create handles that are similar, or vice versa. Having a consistent brand image will make it easier for customers to find you no matter where you are on the internet.
5. If in doubt, buy several similar domains
If your ideal domain name is taken, and buying it from the owner is too expensive, then look at alternatives. Sometimes changing a letter or two can not only make the original domain cheaper to buy, but you might get accidental traffic as a result. This isn’t a proven strategy, though, so it's always best to purchase several similar domains. That way, when you finally settle on the right one, it is ready to go.
6. Check an existing domain names history before committing
Choosing an existing domain name can either be a help or a hindrance. Domains in good standing with Google will already have a presence with the search engine, and this supports organic traffic—should you decide to take it over. However, if the domain name was initially used for illicit activities, it could be prohibited from appearing in search results.
7. Choose a domain registrar you can trust
You don’t want to risk finding the right domain, only for it to be claimed several months down the line because it was transferred to you illegally. At Versio, not only do we provide legitimate domain names, but you decide the renewal period, and we let you move the domain name to other Versio users for free.
Follow these simple steps, and the right domain name is only a few clicks away!
