Yes, you read it right! We did a small mistake in choosing the domain name while launching our design service. If you have followed us from the time you’ll know about the change. We started the name with StudioWordpress and later changed it to Blog Design Studio.
Although, after few days, We got an email from Matt Mullenweg (founder of WordPress) and he requested us to change the domain name – I’ve to say that it was one polite email although, I never expected one. So, I’ll say that don’t make the mistake which we did and here are some other pointers on choosing the right domain name.
Choose the domain wisely -
1. Avoid use of Trademarks – This is the mistake which we did and was even done by ProfitBlogger (earlier it used to be easywordpress). WordPress is a trademark and we should have avoided it, however when I noticed few blogs using WordPress in their Top Level domain, we thought that Automattic (company behind WordPress) is fine with use of their trademark in the top level domains. Anyway, the only suggestion I can give you is that while choosing a domain, if you decide to use any TradeMark, then simply send a polite email to the Trademark owner and ask them if they are fine with the use of their TM in your domain.
2. Try to keep it short – I know it’s difficult these days however, try to get a smaller name and a name which can be easily pronounced. A short domain name will be always easy to remember. You will have to be just plain lucky, if you get any word from dictionary as your domain name.
3. Make use of Dash – In case you are finding it difficult to find the domain name, feel free to use Dashes in middle of the two words. blogging-tips is one of the nicer example. Although many people will say that they are not good (they are correct in their own sense), however I believe that till the time a domain name has good keywords, it shouldn’t really matter and Blogging-Tips.com can be easily remembered as well.
4. Try to get keywords in domain name – The name of our brand is Blog Design Studio and blog design is a very important keyword and on an avg. 30,000 people search for this term on Google itself (use Google Adwords tool for finding such kind of information). Our blog doesn’t rank anywhere in Google for this term, however it will surely rank better in search results for the keyword blog design as it has both the words in the domain name itself (I know there are many other factors around this, keywords in domain is always useful.)
Brand name or Keywords ?
It really depends on the purpose of the website! If you are starting new (new business/venture) then you can always mould your business name according to the availability of domain name. We changed the name of our service to Blog Design Studio because we could afford it as we are still new in the market. So, if you are lucky as are, then I’m sure you won’t face issue like this.
What I will suggest is that one should have a domain name which matches your brand name and may be host the blog on other domain which has good keywords in it. For e.g. if you are reseller of cars and have build name in market with the name as Auto Bros then you should have a domain which is autobros.com and another domain name where you can host the domain can be cheapcars.com (just an example).
Share the tips with us on what can be avoided while choosing the domain and I’m sure you’ll save someone from making these stupid mistakes.
