10 Tips for Buying Domain Names

Oct 27, 2013 on Tech

 

 10 tips for buying domain names

 

Buying a domain name is the first step to creating your own website. However, you should take some time to carefully consider your domain name, as it could mean the difference between the success and failure of your website.

 

Don't Hesitate

If a domain name that you really want is available, don't hesitate to buy it. There might be other interested buyers who might be looking at the same domain. It can also be a good idea to buy domains you might be interested in with the possibility of selling them later to interested buyers. This is common practice and very profitable if you do it right.

 

Try to Get a .com Address

A .com address is the best for SEO and also the least confusing when typed into the browser. While it can be incredibly hard to find a .com address that suits you, try your best to register an available .com domain.

 

Keep it Short

Keeping your domain name short makes it easy to remember and easy to type. If you have a really long business name you can try abbreviations to keep your domain name short.

 

Keep it Simple

Don't overcomplicate things, keep your domain name nice and simple. A simple domain is much easier to remember than one that is trying too hard to be clever or original. If your domain sounds like it makes sense, it will be much more logical and easier to remember.

 

Buy From a Trusted Reseller

Always buy your domain name from a trusted source. Domain name registrars and resellers such as GoDaddy have been offering their services for over a decade and have become a trusted name. Buying from an unknown company will only cause you more problems in the future, or they might even scam you. Don't take the risk of being ripped off just to save a couple dollars.

 

Check Your Spelling

Nothing is worse than being stuck with a misspelt domain name. Also, purposefully using misspelt words as your domain name can be risky, it usually works against you but you can still try it. A misspelt business name comes off as unprofessional, so please make sure you have the right spelling.

 

If the Domain Name is Taken, Try to Contact the Owners

If a domain name that you REALLY want is taken, you can try to contact the owners to negotiate a deal. This only works if the domain name has been bought but isn't being used (meaning there is no website there). A lot of people buy domain names to later sell them at for profit, so contact these owners and try to negotiate a deal for the domain name.

 

Avoid Trademarked Names

Many companies use to buy similar domains from owners, but now resort to more drastic measures when trying to reclaim their trademarked property. Avoid using any trademarked or register phrases or names in your domain or you run the risk of being the target of law suits from corporations and companies.

 

Avoid Dashes and Other Connectors

Using dashes in your domain info is bad for SEO and leaves a lot of room for error when typing in your web address. Users will most probably forget to type the dash and end up at someone else's website. Dashes don't look good, they're bad for SEO and leave more room for errors. It is best to forget dashes and try for a different domain name.

 

Include a Keyword or Location if Possible

Domains with a keyword or location will be incredibly hard to find. Most of them will already be bought because they are great for SEO. However, if you can find a relevant domain that includes either a location or popular keyword, then don't hesitate to purchase that domain. Simply having a SEO friendly domain name can place you ahead of your competitors.

Coming up with a great domain name can be a hard task. A domain name can make or break your website and it is necessary to come up with the best idea and name possible. For domain registrar services try GoDaddy, a trusted web host and domain name reseller. Use one of our GoDaddy coupons for possible discounts and savings on your next domain name purchase.