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Understanding Domain Names
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control within the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System (DNS). Any name registered in the DNS is a domain name. Famous examples include www.google.com and www.facebook.com.
Think of a domain name as your online street address. Technically, your IP address will lead a customer to you, but the domain name is how they can get to you. While the website is like your online shop, people find you with your domain name. Therefore, it is the first step to establishing your online presence and growing your brand using the internet.
Thanks to the Domain Name System (DNS), visitors won’t need to memorize your IP address. Instead, they use your domain name, making the registration process vital because it will become more than just a street address; it becomes part of your brand.
The Impact of Domain Names on SEO
There are opinions that domains don’t affect SEO. However, this is a misinterpretation. A good or dictionary word is searched more often in search engines than a random word. This makes it a brand with more searches and rankings because of its credibility. Google has more than 200 ranking factors, including domain elements. Therefore, choosing an SEO-friendly domain name is necessary and is not a meaningless job. Now, let’s move on to how to select a great domain name.
Choosing a General Top-Level Domain Name (TLD)
1. Memorable Domain Name
Make sure that your domain name is unique and easy to remember. Imagine your domain name was informed to a potential customer at a conference. Will they be able to remember it accurately in a few days? This can happen if your domain name is unforgettable. A memorable domain name is brief, simple, easy to write, read, and remember. It should reflect the topic you’re addressing, be unique, separate, and available, not contain numbers and hyphens, and be legally protected.
Ways to choose memorable domain names:
- Descriptive words: Make the domain name related to your site’s content. Describe the topic and tell customers what your website is about. Think of what you want to provide users, then write topical keywords and find synonyms and antonyms related to those keywords. Finally, put the words together.
- Brand name: Create your brand name, which is easier to remember than keyword descriptions because it is unique. Try techniques such as word mixture, blending, truncation, affixes addition, and foreign words. However, more advertisement about your services is necessary if you prefer this way.
- Yourname.com: This type is often used by bloggers.
2. Your Keyword
Using keywords in the domain name was significant in the past but is now declining. However, it is still appreciated if your domain name has natural keywords. Below are different types of keyword-rich domain names:
- EMDs (Exact Match Domains): Includes all keywords you want to rank your site. It is representative of the best SEO but doesn’t include branding.
- PMDs (Partial Match Domains): Includes some keywords that you want to rank. It benefits SEO without including the brand name.
- No Domain Matching: Doesn’t include keywords. It has little direct SEO benefit but brings long-term SEO benefits. Google recommends building by brand.
3. Domain Extension
When buying a domain name, consider Generic Top Level Domains (gTLD). These gTLDs don’t target specific countries and will be more known, helping you compete and spread your brand. Google recommends using the following gTLDs:
- .aero (for aerospace-related fields)
- .biz (for business websites)
- .cat (highlighting the Catalan language and culture)
- .com (the most popular)
- .COOP (for cooperatives)
- .edu (for education organizations)
- .gov (for government organizations)
- .info (for information websites)
- .int (for international organizations)
- .jobs (for employment-related sites)
- .mil (for military)
- .mobi (for mobile services)
- .museum (for museums)
- .name (for personal names)
- .net (for networks)
- .org (for organizations)
- .pro (for specialized fields)
- .tel (for online telephone directories)
- .travel (for the travel industry)
If you want to compete in a single country, use domain extensions specific to that country (e.g., .us, .au, .br, .ca). This helps Google understand that your goal is to rank high in that country’s Google search.
4. Hyphens
Avoid using hyphens in your domain because spam websites often use hyphenated domain names, making Google misunderstand your site as spam.
5. Trademarked Domains
If your website uses “WordPress,” do not register trademarks for a domain because it is forbidden.
6. Domain Registration Length
According to Matt Cutts from Google, no search engine has confirmed using the length of registration as a factor in scoring.
Choosing a .ccTLD Domain Name
Choosing your .ccTLD domain name can be overwhelming, but you can simplify the process by following these practices:
- Business or brand name: This method offers many SEO benefits as Google favors brands.
- Incorporate a keyword: If the brand name is unavailable, use a keyword related to your niche. Keyword domains, though less influential in SEO now, still help in marketing and conversion.
When choosing the ccTLD name, consider the following:
- Length: Keep your domain name under 15 characters. People remember short names better.
- Spelling: Register common misspellings of your business name to redirect traffic to your main site.
- Target: Register the domain name of your business location or consider generic names for your company alongside a .ccTLD.
- Legal: Avoid registering domain names similar to big brands’ trademarks to avoid legal issues.
Registration Requirements
To register a domain name, you need to provide the chosen domain name, your name, and your company name. Allowing another person to be the registrant of record can lead to losing your domain name. Provide additional details like name server list, DD record list, registrant preference, and privacy option.
Process of Registering a Domain Name
Once you have a domain name idea, ensure the registrar is ICANN accredited. Find a registrar that also provides web hosting to save time and money. After picking your domain name and registrar, pay for the domain name, using secure methods like PayPal.
Locking in Your Registration
Lock your domain name to protect it from unauthorized activity and human error. Log into your registrar account, locate the “my domains” button, and select the “lock” option. Note that once locked, a domain name cannot be transferred for 60 days, as per ICANN rules.
How Many Years Should You Register a Domain For?
You can register domain names for 1-10 years, but it is recommended to register for more than two years to avoid frequent renewals and protect your business.
40 Must-Know Facts About Domain Names
- The first domain name was registered on March 15, 1985, by Symbolics.com.
- Domain names depend on the DNS, invented by Paul Mockapetris and Jonathan Bruce Postel.
- Apple.com was the 64th registered internet domain.
- You can use emoji domains like www.😉.tld.
- The most expensive domain is LasVegas.com ($90,000,000).
- Apple did not own apple.co.uk until 2012.
- Microsoft forgot to renew hotmail.co.uk in 2003.
- Trump was a trending keyword in domain registrations in January 2017.
- The highest number of domains registered in 24 hours was 14,962 by Mike Mann.
- You can register a domain for up to 100 years with Network Solutions.
- .de domains expire before the expiration date.
- The Soviet Union’s .su domain is still available.
- Pressing Ctrl + Enter after a domain name adds the .com extension.
- The .tv extension is from Tuvalu.
- The .tm extension can be used as a trademark.
- The .dj extension is used by DJs.
- The longest gTLD is .northwesternmutual.
- The most used ngTLD is .xyz.
- Some TLDs offer free domain registrations.
- The .ng (Nigeria) ccTLD is the most expensive, at $40,000 per year.
- The first 100 domains took two years to register; now, it takes milliseconds.
- The minimum length of a .com domain is two characters.
- Domain names were free until 1995.
- ICANN manages the global domain name system.
- Domain names can be up to 63 characters long.
- All possible combinations of two-character domains are taken.
- Youtube.com was registered on February 14, 2005.
- Domain names are usually 11 characters long and start with “S.”
- Google.com was originally meant to be Googol.com.
- All three-character domains are taken.
- Incorrect registration information can lead to domain cancellation.
- GoDaddy is the leader in new domain registrations.
- 331.9 million domains were registered in Q2 2017.
- Domain registrations have increased by 2.1% annually.
- ccTLD registrations have grown by 2.6% year over year.
- China’s .cn is the second-largest TLD.
- The largest free TLD is Tokelau’s .tk.
- Some words cannot be registered as domains.
- Multiple domains for the same site don’t improve SEO rankings.
- Google once lost its Google.com domain for one minute.
Conclusion
I hope the information above helps you choose a great domain name. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me using the contact us page on this website.
