How can choose the right domain name?

 

Now that you know the essentials about domain names , now comes the hard decision time: which domain name will you register? Before you start looking for domain names to register without a specific direction, read some tips we have gathered below to choose the most suitable domain name for your site.

1. Choose a domain name that is easy to type

It is very important for the domain name - and by extension your site - to be easy for the user to type. Choose clear words and avoid greekish (Greek words written in Latin characters), as it is very likely that when listening to them, each user interprets how they are written differently.

2. Choose a short domain name

It stands to reason that a short domain name is easier for a user to remember (as long as it makes some sense of course!), so registering short domain names is recommended. It is said that the ideal is for a domain name not to exceed 6 characters, which is difficult, but not impossible! An average is 12-13 characters that usually make up 2 words.

3. Make sure it's clear in pronunciation

The domain name you will register is not enough to be short, but also clear. If, for example, you plan to trademark something like fjwsdp.com, you'll probably never be able to verbally convey it to a user! Once you have settled on the domain names that express you the most, do the phone test: call your friends or colleagues and tell them the domain name. The goal is to get it right the first time.

4. Use keywords

Keywords are very important in choosing a domain name, since they describe to search engines the subject of a site. A well-maintained site - in terms of design and UX - can rise significantly in the Google search results, if it has the right keywords in its domain name.

Get creative and try to combine words that describe your business or site, but be careful not to overdo it on the character count. Remember that a domain name should be short and easy for the user to remember!

5. Avoid numbers and dashes

Numbers and dashes are very likely to confuse a user hearing a domain name for the first time, as it may not be clear whether a number is written with its number (4) or in full letters (tessera), while dashes are likely to not placed in the right places.

At the same time, hyphens are likely to be perceived by search engines as spam, so it's best to avoid them at all costs.

6. Choose a domain name that the user will easily remember

To stand out today in the ocean of registered domain names, your domain must be special and easy to remember for a user who will hear it for the first time. When you come up with some alternatives, again be sure to share them with people you trust to get the necessary feedback before finalizing.

7. Use the help of a generator

The truth is that with so many hundreds of millions of registered domain names, finding one that suits you can be a challenge! In case you get stuck and can't think of something interesting, use a domain name generator, which will help you find the right domain based on certain keywords. One suggestion from us is Nameboy.

8. Select the appropriate TLD

As we saw above, TLDs are the endings that follow the main body of the domain name (.gr, .com, etc.). The ending you choose for your domain name depends on many factors, such as the availability of the particular domain in that ending, the sector it operates in, the country your audience is in, etc.

If you are having trouble finding your domain name in one of the most well-known endings, such as .com or .gr in Greece, you can also search for one of the latest generic TLDs, which offer specialization and many opportunities to find the domain of your choice available. Some of the ones you can find on Top.Host are .photography, .club, .party etc.

9. If necessary, register the domain name in more than one TLDs

To protect your brand, it's a good idea to register your domain name in more than one ending, as well as some forms of typos. This way you achieve two things: you prevent your competitors from registering the same or a similar domain name and at the same time you direct users to your site, even if they typed the domain name incorrectly. A good example is gogle.com, which Google itself chose to trademark.

10. Register the domain name in your name

One last tip, but perhaps the most important first, is to always register your domain names in your own name. The user who has been declared as the owner of a domain name has absolute authority over it, which is why you should make sure that you own all domain names. Even if you don't feel you have the technical knowledge to do it yourself, ask the person who will register it for you to enter your details and ideally do it in your presence.