How to choose the right domain name for your business. A good name could be the difference between becoming a known brand online or being lost in the vast ocean of websites on the internet.
A Guest Article from IE Domain Registry
Not only is it your online address, but it also reflects who you are as a business and your brand.
A domain name is your address on the internet and a crucial part of your brand identity online. You own that space and as a business, use it to promote and/or sell your services and products to customers. Your domain name tells people where to find you online, so they can search for your goods and services.
Establish Trust With Your Customers
People buy from people, and from businesses that they trust. Having a domain name consistent with your business name is central to that trust. It denotes stability and authenticity, core elements when attracting customers to buy from you online.
Facts:
- Consumers have four times more trust in a company that has a website (65 %) versus one that does not (17%).
- 63% of consumers said they had low trust in companies that do not have a website but use social media only.
Alongside an authentic space online, having a business email address – and not one from a free email provider (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo) – is crucial. Customers will feel more confident dealing with peter@abcflowers .ie than abcflowers@hotmail .com because they will associate @abcflowers .ie with a business that has more substance.
Some useful tips in choosing a domain
- Keep your domain name short, simple, and easy to remember. The longer it is, the more likely people are to make spelling errors when typing it in.
- Make sure your domain name is easy to say and that you do not have to explain any part of it. For instance, if you chose ABC1 Flowers as the name of your business and www .abc1flowers.ie as your domain name, you would always have to explain that your domain name contains the numeral 1 and not the spelling ‘one’. Confused? So will your customers and browsers on the internet!
- Using keywords in your domain name tells Google and your customers exactly what your website is about. There is no confusion what the website www .abcflowers.ie is about. Make sure that the content on your website matches your domain name – that will show customers and, importantly, Google, your expertise in flowers. Match that up with a site that is easy to navigate and these elements can help your website get a higher Google ranking.
- Research your proposed name – there are many domain name generators on the internet that can help you brainstorm. PS, you can now also register a domain name with a fada, particularly useful if that is central to your brand!
- Make sure your domain name is available and not in use by anyone else. You can check www.iedr.ie to see if the name you want is available. It will suggest some alternatives if your preferred name is not available. It is also a good idea to check that the domain name you choose is not already patented or trademarked. You can check this information at the Patents Office.
- If your domain name is not available, you still have options. You may be able to abbreviate your business name or add your location – www .wexfordflowers.ie.
Further Reading -
Read this guide from IE domain Registry - 'How To Choose A Domain Name'
The guide takes you through the process of choosing your domain name. It outlines why it is important to secure the domain name that best fits and describes your business