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How to Choose a Good Business Website Domain Name – 10 Rules

August 18, 2023 | updated: February 3, 2025

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IT Monks Founder

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At IT Monks, your premier web development company, we understand the pivotal role that a well-crafted domain name plays in establishing your online presence. Elevate your brand and captivate your audience with a business website domain name that exudes allure and reinforces your identity. Embark on this journey of digital distinction with these ten indispensable guidelines for selecting the perfect domain name for your business.

Business Website Domain Name Rules

Brainstorm Top 10 Keywords

Embark on the journey of crafting your ideal domain name with the guidance of our web development services. Begin by compiling a list of ten strategic terms or phrases that best encapsulate the essence of the domain you envision. Consider the phrases potential visitors might input into search engines to discover your website – these phrases often hold more power than solitary words. Optimal domain names seamlessly interweave keywords, offering search engines an instant snapshot of your site’s purpose. For instance, if you’re launching a domain related to insurance, your list could feature terms such as “insurance, auto policy, affordable rates, agent, finance, Seattle insurance.” As you experiment with various combinations, you’ll ultimately uncover the perfect fusion. Let us guide you towards a stellar example like “Floyd Insurance Agency,” a prime illustration of a masterfully aligned domain name.

Is it easy to type?

Ensure that the business website domain name is easy to type and doesn’t require considerable attention to spell words correctly. Avoid using unmemorable words or sounds, which can diminish your branding and marketing value. Also, steer clear of letters like “q,” “z,” “x,” “c,” and “p” that can be prone to typing errors.

No hyphens and numbers

Avoid using hyphens and numbers in your domain name. These can make it tougher for people to remember and can create confusion.

Do your research

Comprehensive exploration is paramount when solidifying your domain name, particularly within web development companies. Before cementing your choice, engage in meticulous research. Verify your ability to register multiple renditions of the same name. If you unearth direct contenders boasting akin titles, it is judicious to veer away from the acquisition. Contemplate the procurement of diverse iterations of your chosen name to preempt any untapped traffic resulting from typographical errors or nuanced variations. For instance, imagine your domain is thegraystripe.com – in this scenario, ponder procuring graystripe.com and thegreystripe.com. Expanding this horizon, you might even entertain versions with transposed word orders, such as stripegray.com and stripegrey.com. By amassing this array of variations, you can seamlessly channel them to your website, harnessing the full expanse of potential traffic. This strategic maneuver ensures that no avenue remains unexplored, safeguarding your digital presence with unwavering vigilance.

Make it short and sweet

Choose a domain name that is short and easy to remember. Both word-of-mouth marketing and dominating search engine results rely on how easily your domain name can be recalled. Avoid being the company with a fantastic website that no one can remember.

DOT.COM only!

In web development services, if establishing a commanding presence and cultivating brand recognition stand as your prime objectives, then the pursuit of a .com domain should reign supreme. While acquiring .net or .org domains can serve as conduits directing traffic toward your .com hub, your ambition should not be confined solely to potential traffic.

When crafting your domain name strategy, synchronization between your domain name and website name is paramount. The optimal approach is to foster a harmonious match or striking similarity between the two. This synergy eliminates any potential confusion and firmly imprints your website name in the minds of visitors. Consider this: if your website bears the name “Pro Care,” a domain like procarewindowcleaning.com seamlessly merges the essence of your business name with a pivotal keyword phrase. This strategic union encapsulates your brand while facilitating an intuitive and memorable user experience.

Don’t pick a name based on a demographic

Avoid selecting a domain name attached to a specific demographic, like sanfranciscodesign.com. You never know if you might decide to relocate your business. Instead, focus on choosing a versatile name and not restricted to a particular location.

Don’t follow the latest trend

Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to jump on the bandwagon. Stay away from uninspiring short adjectives (e.g., best…com, top…com), odd misspellings, and excessive use of hyphens.

Avoid trademark infringement

Before investing in a domain name, ensure you’re not infringing on anyone’s trademark. Check the name on copyright.gov to ensure you’re not stepping on anyone’s toes with trademark infringements. Avoid potential legal issues by conducting proper due diligence.

It’s worth mentioning that premium domain names are available, which often come with a high asking price due to their search engine optimization (SEO) potential. However, in most cases, investing in a premium domain name is unnecessary. Standard domains can be purchased for as low as $10 and effectively serve your needs.

Web Tools for Effective Domain Name Research

To assist you in your domain name search, here are a few recommended web tools:

Domjax. This free domain name search tool offers various SEO tools, website owner information, website traffic information, HTML validation, search engine page rank, Google SEO tools, web page archive, and a list of cached and indexed pages.
KnowEm. Use this tool to check for the availability of your desired username on over 550 popular and emerging social media websites. It ensures your domain has the same username across platforms like Facebook and Twitter. This is highly recommended as part of your free marketing strategy.
DomainGroovy. This domain name generator allows you to enter any keyword and instantly receive hundreds of available and creative domain name suggestions.
NameStation. NameStation helps you find brandable, memorable, and unique domain names. It allows you to evaluate keyword variations, synonyms, affixes, and combinations in minutes.

Utilizing these tools allows you to streamline your search for the perfect domain name and increase the chances of finding a name that aligns with your branding objectives.

In the dynamic realm of web development, selecting the perfect domain name takes center stage in crafting your robust online identity. A fusion of memorability, descriptive prowess, and harmonious alignment with your business aspirations forms the cornerstone of this pivotal choice. Armed with these guiding tenets and empowered by the arsenal of supportive web tools at your disposal, you can stride forward with unwavering confidence to handpick a domain name that not only resonates but also stands as the cornerstone propelling your triumphant journey in the boundless expanse of the online world. At IT Monks, we stand ready to usher you into this realm of digital distinction.

Business Website Domain Name FAQs

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a unique address that identifies a website online. It is the web address that users type into their browsers to access a specific website. A domain name consists of two main parts: the actual name (e.g., google) and the domain extension (e.g., .com).

What makes a good business website domain name?

A good business website domain name has several key characteristics:

Relevance;
Memorability;
Brandable;
Easy to spell and type;
Concise;
Avoid numbers and hyphens;
Use a popular domain extension;
Avoid trademark infringement;
Consider future scalability.

How do I get a domain name for a website?

To get a domain name for your website, you can follow these steps:

Decide on a domain registrar. A domain registrar is a company that allows you to register and manage domain names. Popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains. Choose a reputable registrar that suits your needs.
Check domain name availability. Use the registrar’s search function to check if your desired domain name is available. Enter the name you have in mind, including the desired domain extension (such as .com, .net, .org). The search results will indicate if the domain name is already taken or available for registration.
Choose a domain name. Select a domain name that represents your website and brand effectively. It should be memorable, easy to type, and relevant to your content or business.
Select a domain extension. Consider which domain extension is most appropriate for your website. While .com is the most common and widely recognized, other extensions like .net, .org, or country-specific ones (.us, .co.uk) may be suitable depending on your target audience and purpose.
Register the domain. Once you’ve found an available domain name, proceed with the registration process through the chosen registrar. Follow the instructions provided, fill in the necessary details, and complete the payment.
Configure DNS settings. After registration, you will need to configure the Domain Name System (DNS) settings. This involves connecting your domain name to your website hosting provider’s servers. The registrar will provide instructions on how to update your DNS settings.
Secure your domain. It’s essential to protect your domain from unauthorized transfers or modifications. Enable domain lock or transfer lock features provided by the registrar to prevent any unwanted changes to your domain settings.

Remember to renew your domain registration before it expires to maintain ownership and prevent someone else from taking it.

Should you put “LLC” in your domain name?

Including “LLC” in your domain name is optional and depends on your preferences and branding strategy. Here are some factors to consider:

Legally required. If your business is a registered limited liability company (LLC), some jurisdictions may require you to include “LLC” or its equivalent in your legal business name. However, this legal requirement generally doesn’t apply to domain names.
Branding and marketing. Including “LLC” in your domain name can add credibility and professionalism. It clearly indicates that your business is registered as an LLC. However, it can also make the domain name longer and potentially harder to remember.
Domain availability. Adding “LLC” to your domain name may limit your options as it increases the length of the name. Finding an available domain name that includes “LLC” might be more challenging while still being concise and memorable.
Alternative approaches. Instead of including “LLC” in the domain name itself, you can emphasize your LLC status through other means. For example, you can prominently display your business name with the “LLC” designation on your website’s branding, logo, or legal notices.
Legal considerations. While the inclusion of “LLC” in the domain name is not mandatory, it’s important to comply with the legal requirements of your jurisdiction regarding the display of your business name. Consult with a legal professional to ensure you are meeting all necessary regulations.