Choosing a Domain Name

One of the first steps when we’re setting up a site is also one of the most important – choosing the right domain name.

The domain name affects how our site will rank in search engines, and how easy it is for customers to get to our site by entering the URL.

The ideal domain name will have just the right combination of memorability and simplicity.

The wrong domain name will be so forgettable that our clients can’t remember it or so complicated that they don’t want to bother typing it in the first place.

So, how can we choose and purchase the right domain name? There are a few key factors we need to keep in mind.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Domain Name

The best domain names are simple to type. Slang and words with alternate spellings only make mistakes more likely when our clients are trying to find us.

For example, let’s say we’re considering the domain name “XpressHomeInspection.com.” Every time we tell a client our URL, we’ll need to clarify that we used “xpress” instead of “express,” and then hope our clients remember.

How much easier would it have been if we just used the traditional spelling?

For this same reason, we should avoid putting numbers or hyphens in our domain name, as both will only make the name more complicated.

With numbers, clients won’t know if the number is spelled out or not.

Hyphens are easy to forget, and it’s always better to simply choose a new domain name instead of adding hyphens because our first choice is already taken.

We want to keep the domain name short and to the point. Longer domain names just provide more potential for typos.

Keywords

Adding keywords into our domain name improves our ranking on search engines, which is crucial for getting traffic. Most people don’t look past the first page or two or their internet search results, so a high ranking can make all the difference in terms of web traffic.

For a home inspector website, “home inspector” and “home inspection” would be two of the most common keyword choices.

One way to get a good ranking is to target our specific area. We may not be able to get on the first page of the search results for either of those keywords mentioned above, but that’s not a big deal, because that search traffic will be coming from all over the country.

But what about the people searching for home inspectors in our specific city, town, or metro area?

It will be much easier to rank for a keyword like “West Hollywood home inspector,” and that way we’ll be getting search traffic that is actually in our area and could use our services.

Consider Purchasing Two Domain Names

Here’s one way we can have the best of both worlds when it comes to domain names: get two that both go to our website. That way, we can snag one domain name that uses keywords, and one that has our actual business name or a memorable play on that name.

Using our example above, we could purchase the domain name “WestHollywoodHomeInspector.com” to achieve a high ranking in the search results for that keyword.

Then, we could also purchase our business name as a domain, or a play on it. If our name was King Home Inspections, we could choose something like “ChooseKHI.com” or “KingHome.com” for a domain name that’s both easy to type and remember.

How to Purchase a Domain Name

The process for obtaining a domain name is fairly simple. Everyone must register their domains with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and can do so through a domain name registrar.

There are many domain name registrar options available, with Go Daddy being one of the most well-known. Other options include eNom, Tucows, and Melbourne IT.

We can also register our domain name through whichever web host we use, such as Stable Host, BlueHost, or HostGator.

While this option works fine for most people, there is the risk of a disreputable web host registering the domain name with themselves as the owner instead of us.

This would make it difficult if we decide to go with another web host in the future.

The registration fee for a domain name is usually around $10 to $15, although it can be more. This is an annual fee that we need to pay every year.

It’s important to register domain names as soon as possible, because they get taken quickly. For this reason, we should have a few domain name options in mind, so we have flexibility if our first few choices are taken.

The Importance of a Good Domain Name

The domain name may seem like a relatively minor consideration in comparison to our site’s design, but it’s a huge part of the site’s success.

We have to make it as easy as possible for clients to find us on the web. Otherwise, a site with a more memorable domain name or a domain name that ranks higher in the search rankings will get the bulk of the clients.

The right domain name creates a professional vibe from the very beginning. The difference a domain name makes is apparent when comparing “KingHomeInspections.com” with “King-Home-Inspections1.com.”

The first option looks like a professional business that clients can trust.

The second looks like something that was thrown together because the site’s owner couldn’t get their first domain name choice.

Our domain, above all else, is a part of our brand. When our domain name matches our brand, it reinforces our brand and presents a consistent image of our home inspection company.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a domain name doesn’t need to be difficult, but it also isn’t something that we should take lightly.

By taking the time now to find the right domain name, we give our home inspection business a better chance at long-term success.