How do you choose domain name?

[SeoIsArt]

So you want to choose a domain name for your website, how would you go about it?
Suppose there is a website (brand) which doesn't exist anymore, but it has many brand mentions across internet and some branded searches already coming. Or there is an Instagram account, that gets brand searches.

You register a domain name with that brand and later when you manage to rank 1st for that brand name you will receive additional bonus, because now all those brand mentions will be associated with your website. This is a smart way to choose domain names.

 

[Loree]

Obviously the domain name should match / fit at least broadly to what you are about to offer on the new site.
Meaning "fit" to what those mentions / links meant when placed on the other sites. (Apart from that, obviously a phantasy brand name that is not an existing word could be used for anything.)

But generally speaking, with Google's recently once again increased favoritism towards Brands , I would make sure to have a nice brandable domain, no matter what, and not a domain with keywords

 

[Mutual]

I don't think the brand association will be that influential after a domain has dropped. When a domain drops you're basically hitting the reset button. Google knows based on a variety of factors that its not the original owner/site, so from a SEO perspective it wont be of much value

 

[Perb]

Obviously the domain name should match / fit at least broadly to what you are about to offer on the new site.
Meaning "fit" to what those mentions / links meant when placed on the other sites. (Apart from that, obviously a phantasy brand name that is not an existing word could be used for anything.)

But generally speaking, with Google's recently once again increased favoritism towards Brands , I would make sure to have a nice brandable domain, no matter what, and not a domain with keywords

Not sure that is true

Keywords in the domain are for relevancy for the person searching - plenty of examples in google searches where EMD is popular and highly ranked

Brandable domains are a divisive topic as no one really knows how to appraise those domains - yes you can use Atom etc but I have never had a sale though Atom.

Having said that my biggest sale this month was app02.com ($2750) which everyone on another forum told me was worthless because of the 02!

If you are going to start a company do not get an SEO domain but create a new one.
If you are just after rankings then SEO domains work

 

[Perb]

I don't think the brand association will be that influential after a domain has dropped. When a domain drops you're basically hitting the reset button. Google knows based on a variety of factors that its not the original owner/site, so from a SEO perspective it wont be of much value

Not entirely - Google knows it has dropped but the SEO around it doesn't just disappear as the backlinks are still there sending trust flow

 

[Loree]

Not sure that is true

Keywords in the domain are for relevancy for the person searching - plenty of examples in google searches where EMD is popular and highly ranked

Brandable domains are a divisive topic as no one really knows how to appraise those domains - yes you can use Atom etc but I have never had a sale though Atom.

Having said that my biggest sale this month was app02.com ($2750) which everyone on another forum told me was worthless because of the 02!

If you are going to start a company do not get an SEO domain but create a new one.
If you are just after rankings then SEO domains work

I concur and want to add:

Keywords in the domain have the advantage that all your naked URL backlinks contain keywords by default.

All this without anybody actively "stuffing" those keywords into backlinks, so this should be a somewhat less dangerous way to increase keyword count in anchors

Many backlink opportunities provide (only) a naked URL. The keyword-domain has the advantage that it gets its keywords into the anchors at these places, where others, e.g. a brand domain don't get the keyword anchor text.

Short and mid term it is probably beneficial in that regard but I am not sure about the holistic long term worth of brand vs keywords, for something serious that is supposed to get non-Google marketing, too, I would prefer the brand

I also imagine that Google will rather demote this keyword-anchor advantage of naked URL backlinks, further decreasing the value of keyword domains.

Also, somewhat successful sites that you recognise tend to have a rather brandable domain I think

 

[Perb]

I concur and want to add:

Keywords in the domain have the advantage that all your naked URL backlinks contain keywords by default.

All this without anybody actively "stuffing" those keywords into backlinks, so this should be a somewhat less dangerous way to increase keyword count in anchors

Many backlink opportunities provide (only) a naked URL. The keyword-domain has the advantage that it gets its keywords into the anchors at these places, where others, e.g. a brand domain don't get the keyword anchor text.

Short and mid term it is probably beneficial in that regard but I am not sure about the holistic long term worth of brand vs keywords, for something serious that is supposed to get non-Google marketing, too, I would prefer the brand

I also imagine that Google will rather demote this keyword-anchor advantage of naked URL backlinks, further decreasing the value of keyword domains.

Also, somewhat successful sites that you recognise tend to have a rather brandable domain I think

Yup I think we are saying the same thing.
That must be a first!

 

[lamplinkwhite]

Registering a domain can be challenging if it doesn't use unique words. If your first choice isn't available, try using a different TLD or pair your brand name with another relevant keyword.

 

[LeonidKRR]

I don't like "brands". I would prefer a direct description of my product or service in the URL.
Something like WineForDogs or DeepKeyWordReseach...

 

[Perb]

I don't like "brands". I would prefer a direct description of my product or service in the URL.
Something like WineForDogs or DeepKeyWordReseach...

And that is why domain valuations are so difficult. Everyone’s tastes are different.

 

[ijasbirkaur]

When choosing a domain name, ensure it reflects your brand and aligns with your business identity. Keep it simple and short, as straightforward names are easier to remember and type. Incorporate relevant keywords for better SEO, and avoid using numbers and hyphens to maintain clarity. Choose something catchy and memorable to help people recall your brand easily. Check availability using domain registrars, and consider different extensions, with .com being the most preferred. Think long-term by avoiding trendy names that might not remain relevant. Conduct a legal check to ensure the name doesn’t infringe on trademarks. Finally, test the name by getting feedback to make sure it’s easy to understand and pronounce.

 

[Perb]

When choosing a domain name, ensure it reflects your brand and aligns with your business identity. Keep it simple and short, as straightforward names are easier to remember and type. Incorporate relevant keywords for better SEO, and avoid using numbers and hyphens to maintain clarity. Choose something catchy and memorable to help people recall your brand easily. Check availability using domain registrars, and consider different extensions, with .com being the most preferred. Think long-term by avoiding trendy names that might not remain relevant. Conduct a legal check to ensure the name doesn’t infringe on trademarks. Finally, test the name by getting feedback to make sure it’s easy to understand and pronounce.

Thanks ChatGPT

 

[Marco69]

I'm struggle a little bit which strategy is better; design a new category name and use that fo rthe domain and your services or use personal name branding (include domain name) ?

Example
Jsmith(com) = personal branding and domain name/ Jsmith copywriting

Or design a new category like this;
whizzyup(com) and name your domain + your services with that name like whizzy seo, whizzy copywriting, etc,etc... ?
whizzyup copywriting .....

What do you think is better in terms of people memorize your name and seo ?
Problem I see with whizzyup is when your goal is getitng multiple listings in google, (intend s3arch) that will work only when people type in google whizzyup seo, when they type in whizzyup then only your home page comes up in the serps?

With personal branding people type in google; jsmith then all your jsmith pages/categories will showing up in the serps.

 

[nicenic]

So you want to choose a domain name for your website, how would you go about it?
Suppose there is a website (brand) which doesn't exist anymore, but it has many brand mentions across internet and some branded searches already coming. Or there is an Instagram account, that gets brand searches.

You register a domain name with that brand and later when you manage to rank 1st for that brand name you will receive additional bonus, because now all those brand mentions will be associated with your website. This is a smart way to choose domain names.

I think you can choose a similar domain name to leverage the search volume of the existing brand and help attract previous visitors. You also want to avoid confusion with the original brand and avoid trademark infringement. You can also direct traffic on social media to the new domain name. This can also help increase traffic through SEO.

 

[LONELY HEARTS ADS]

Try to copy what has been done is one way, but mocking it also works. For example: there is a platform where people can sell scond hand clothes, and translated it is called "find it". We now have a similar project under constuction named (also translated) "search for it". People respond to it very well.

My tip: don't just focus on the name. We studied what 'find it' did not do very well and where it was weak. In "search for it" we now have eliminated the weak spots. And that hits home more than just a name.