A domain name is the name of a website. It is the part of the website address that comes after the “www.” A domain name can also come after the “@” in an email address. Domain names are registered in the Domain Name System (DNS).
What is the importance of a domain name? A domain name is used to identify networks, services, and computers. Domain names are used instead of numerical addresses, for example, as they are easier to remember.
What are the parts of a domain name? A domain name is made up of one or more labels. At the right of the address, is the domain, also known as the top-level domain or domain extension. A domain is the “com,” “gov,” “edu,” or “net,” to name a few. There are many other domains depending on the country or purpose of your website. If you have a business website, you may choose “biz.” If you reside in Canada, you may choose “ca.” Search engine optimization can also be considered when it comes to a domain extension.
To the left of the top-level domain is the domain name. This is known as the second-level domain. To the left of the second-level domain is the third-level domain, which is the “www” part of the website address.
Here we will focus on the domain name (second-level domain). Choosing a domain name is something that requires thought and consideration. If you own a business, you will likely want to use the business name, assuming it hasn’t been taken already. If it has been taken, you can use a part of your business name if it is memorable. It’s okay to be creative. Try adding a prefix or suffix and see what rolls off the tongue best. It’s good to avoid adding numbers or hyphens though as this complicates the domain name and makes it difficult to remember. Keeping the domain name short is also a good idea. People tend to forget longer ones.
You can also explore different top-level domains to see if your business or brand domain name is available. There are over 400 different top-level domains, so there may be an acceptable option.
The use of keywords in a domain name is acceptable, but avoid using strings of keywords. Any keywords used should work together with your brand. In fact, Google is starting to move away from partial and extact keyword matches, so you may not want to focus on this too much in terms of trying to rank higher, but if the keyword you choose is relevant and fits with your business, it’s a good option to consider. Go with what feels good to you and what will be memorable for others.
When you have decided on a domain name and have your website set up, it’s time to get your domain name known. To draw people to your website, you can guest blog for people whose websites compliment yours. You may both have websites about health or technology, so the readers will be interested in what you have to share.
A domain name is like your online identity for your business.
