“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare wrote in his famous play Romeo and Juliet to express the idea that although people place a lot of importance on names, they are merely social conventions devoid of any merit or meaning. While we dare not contradict the great dramatist, we can’t help but notice that the adage doesn’t apply in the business world where names and designations not only hold a lot of value but can even make the difference between failure and success.
In fact, Shakespeare’s play itself proves that names have power given that the tragic fate of its main characters is decided by their family names, or better said by the importance they carry. Nowhere is the link between names and outcomes more obvious than in the online space.
Here, domain names dictate the fate of businesses, serving as valuable digital assets that can support the growth and development of a company, when chosen correctly.
What is a Domain Name?
A domain name is a unique text-based name used to identify and access specific websites and other resources on the internet, so it basically functions like a web address. When people type the domain name into their browsers to find a site, the text is converted into a string of numbers (the site’s IP address) connected to the server where the website is hosted which then sends the content of the site to the inquirer.
A common analogy describes the domain name as the equivalent of real estate in the online space. Just like in the real estate world, the location of the property is one of the most important factors influencing a property’s value, in the digital landscape, the domain name determines the value of a website.
From a technical perspective, a domain name usually consists of two main parts:
- Top-level domains (TLD) – these are the extensions that appear at the right end of the URL, after a period. TLDs can be generic (.com, .net, .org), sponsored (.gov, .edu, .post), or country-code TLDs which indicate specific geographic locations (.us, .uk, .ca, etc.)
- Second-level domains – this is the name of the domain which appears on the left side of the URL.
While many tend to conflate domain names with uniform resource locators or URLs, they are not quite the same thing. The domain name is a user-friendly name assigned to a website, whereas the URL is comprised of a string of characters, including the protocol (e.g., http://) and other components, that represent the complete address of a particular web page.
The Importance of Having a Strong Domain Name
As an integral part of the Internet infrastructure, domain names serve a definite and practical purpose. But why do they matter so much and how exactly can they influence a business’ trajectory? According to recent studies, 77% of consumers have more trust in companies whose brand and domain name match. This consistency not only makes it easier for people to remember and find your business website but also reinforces your brand’s identity and fosters familiarity and recognition, which translates into increased traffic and revenue.
Similarly, a well-chosen domain name that is memorable and has a nice ring to it will boost your brand’s visibility and help you differentiate yourself from your competitors, which is an especially crucial aspect in crowded markets.
Domain names also play a key role in your SEO strategy. Search engines like Google tend to favor websites with domain names that incorporate relevant keywords referencing the nature of the business. Getting on Google’s good side can help you improve your website’s ranking and therefore attract more customers to your business.
A common practice that many savvy entrepreneurs employ in this respect is purchasing expired domain names since older domains usually have a stronger backlink profile and higher authority which makes them rank higher in search results. Online tools like Servya can help you search for expired domains that contain your desired keywords, so you can choose one that suits your business requirements.
Furthermore, domain names can support your mobile optimization efforts as well. With the increased use of mobile devices, you should prioritize choosing a domain name that is short, impactful, and easy to spell and type. This will make users’ lives a lot easier and drive more traffic to your website.
How to Choose The Best Domain Name for your Business
If you want to choose a domain name that can put your business in the spotlight and help you boost your online presence, here are a few basic rules you should follow.
First, you have to think of a name that is related to your business endeavors. Choosing a name that has nothing to do with your business operations can confuse and push away consumers, so it’s best to demonstrate consistency by selecting keywords that are specific to your industry or niche and reflect your brand’s identity and vision.
Function matters just as much as form when trying to come up with a powerful domain name for your business website. So, you have to make sure that the domain name is unique and catchy but is also simple and easy to remember. Go for shorter names that are memorable and user-friendly and avoid complex terms that are hard to pronounce, acronyms, numbers, underlines, and hyphens.
The domain name extension is also an important aspect to keep in mind. It’s generally recommended to opt for the .com extension as it’s the most widely used and can improve the credibility and reach of your website.
It’s also worth studying the domain names of successful businesses in your niche and trying to emulate their strategies. Look for inspiration from giants like Amazon, Google, or YouTube and grab a page from their book.
Final Remarks
Domain names are not just a way to help customers reach your website but also a valuable asset that can unlock significant benefits for your business. From brand recognition to SEO optimization, the power of a strong domain name is undeniable, so choosing a great web address should be a priority for every business out there.