The majority of startups fail early on in their existence. It’s sad, but true. To avoid becoming another negative statistic, you have to make the right moves when building up your business in those all-important early days.
One of those moves is picking the strongest possible domain name. This guide explores how it’s done.
The Importance of a Startup Domain Name
Below, we’ll dig into the details of how to choose a domain name. But, before that, let’s see why this is so important.
First, for the uninitiated, a quick definition. A domain name is, in the simplest of terms, a website address. Google.com. Amazon.com. Instagram.com. These are all examples of domain names – the pieces of text you type into a browser to visit a specific site.
They serve a simple function, but they’re also part of every brand’s image and identity. And that’s why they matter so much.
Your domain name, just like your business name, your logo, and your voice, is an integral element of your brand’s identity. It’s part of the package that people see of your brand, and it influences their all-important first impressions.
Good domain names also:
- Help with SEO, improving your rankings in Google results
- Add professionalism and authority to your company
- Aid with marketing campaigns and their effectiveness
- Give you a competitive edge over your rivals
Key Considerations When Choosing Your Startup Domain Name
Clearly, a top-notch domain name is worth the time and effort it takes to choose. It offers numerous advantages and may just be that difference-maker between success and failure for your company, especially in those all-important and tumultuous early days.
With that in mind, here are some tips and considerations to make your name the best it can be.
Brevity and Simplicity Are Essential
Brevity and simplicity. The two guiding lights to keep in mind when deciding on your domain name.
In this field, excessive length and complexity are utterly unnecessary. A name that’s overly long, hard to spell, or tricky to remember will do your brand no favours whatsoever. In fact, it could spell the end of your business before it’s had time to begin.
So, try to keep things simple. Don’t forget, people will type out your domain name over and over, on computers, laptops, phones, and other devices. Some might even speak it out loud to their voice assistants or when telling their friends and family to visit. It must, therefore, be a name that’s easy to type, say, and remember. The simpler and shorter, the better.
Keep It Relevant
Relevancy is another essential ingredient when making a quality domain name. Let’s say you’re setting up a marketing agency, for example. You won’t want to pick a domain name that has absolutely nothing to do with the marketing world, as that could cause all sorts of confusion for your future site visitors.
To keep things simple, it’s best to use a name that’s either identical to your business name or very similar to it. But you don’t have to go that route. You can also pick an alternative name, as long as it’s still relevant to your startup, the services/goods you offer, and your way of working. That way, when people first see your domain name, they’ll instantly get a feel for what you do.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
Picking a domain name may seem simple at first. But there are lots of common mistakes that people make along the way, and it may prove trickier than first imagined. Try to avoid some of those easy mistakes, like:
- Picking a name that’s hard to remember, excessively long, or complicated
- Using numbers, hyphens, or random symbols in your name
- Choosing a name that’s too similar to one already in use
- Using homophones that may cause confusion when the name is said out loud
Ensure You Choose the Right Extension
An extension, or top-level domain, is an important part of every domain name. It’s the “.com” “.net” or other ending to your name, and there are a lot of options to choose from. “.com” extensions are generally the most desirable of all due to their ubiquity across the internet, but an alternative extension might be a better fit for some particular startups.
A lot of tech startups, for example, are opting for .ai domains to capitalise on the emergence of AI technology. Meanwhile, “.io” is popular with SaaS (software as a service) brands, and “.tv” is a top pick for startups based around TV, video content, or entertainment in general. Or, if your startup only operates in one country, you may want to choose that country’s extension to attract your target audience, like “.uk” for the United Kingdom or “.us” for the States.
Think to the Future
Businesses change and evolve over time. You might have an initial vision for the early months and years of your startup, but you can’t necessarily predict how it might look in, for instance, ten years’ time. That’s why a lot of experts encourage startups to essentially “futureproof” their domain names by not making them too specific.
Imagine you’re setting up an online store selling sports goods, for instance. You might be tempted to include “sports” or sporty-themed words in the domain name, which would make sense. But, what if you start selling camping equipment a few years down the line? Suddenly, that sporty name seems far less relevant. A more generic, grounded name lets you scale up while staying relevant.
Drive Startup Success With a Strong Domain Name
It takes a lot to make a good startup. You need products and services people want, strong marketing campaigns, and a shrewd business plan. Among all that, a domain name may seem insignificant. However, as this guide shows, a strong domain name can greatly impact your startup’s longevity and eventual success (or failure).
So, don’t rush through it or settle for a name you’re not happy with. Take your time and keep these tips in mind to find the right domain.
