A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website on the Internet. Domain names are used to make it easier for people to remember and access websites. Often businesses choose the name of their business as their domain, or website address (i.e., websterdigitalmarketing.com).
Picking the right domain name is an important decision for any business or individual looking to establish an online presence. Here are some things to consider when choosing a domain name:
- A domain name should be as short as possible
- It should be easy to spell and remember
- It should reflect your brand or business
- It should be relevant and descriptive of what you do
- Choose a domain name that is unique and memorable to stand out in a crowded marketplace
- Use keywords for the work your company does, if you are still able to keep the domain name succinct
- Avoid words that are commonly misspelled (or also purchase common misspellings)
Once you have chosen your primary domain name, you should really consider purchasing the rights to alternate domain names as well. These domain names can all point to the same primary domain – so the consumers will not know the difference. However, it is important to take this step to protect your business identity online. There are several reasons why you might want to have more than one domain name, including:
1. Brand protection:
Having multiple domain names can help protect your brand from competitors or cyber squatters who might try to register a similar domain name and capitalize on your brand’s success. A competitor may try to own a domain name that is so similar to yours that customers could be directed to the wrong website. By owning multiple domain names, you can prevent others from using them and redirect traffic to your primary website.
2. Geotargeting:
If you have a global presence or want to target specific regions or countries, having multiple domain names can be useful. For example, if you have a business in the United States but also want to target customers in Canada, you could register a .ca domain name and redirect traffic to a localized version of your website.
3. SEO optimization:
Using multiple domain names can also help improve your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. By targeting specific keywords or geographic locations with different domain names, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). For example, if you have a website that sells shoes, you might have one domain name that focuses on running shoes and another that focuses on dress shoes. By doing this, you can create more targeted content and improve your chances of ranking well for those specific keywords.
4. Online Marketing:
If you’re running a specific marketing campaign or promoting a new product or service, having a separate domain name can help create a focused landing page for that campaign. A landing page is designed to be a single, focused page that is optimized for a specific goal or conversion. By having a separate domain for your landing page, you can further emphasize this focus. You may also want to use a new domain name to point to a particular product or service on your existing website or to a contact form or other page on your site that is for a particular event, product, or service.
5. Offline Marketing:
If you are engaging in offline marketing efforts, like coupons or magazine ads, a domain name specifically for each campaign, possibly paired with a landing page, makes it easier to track the results and success of these marketing efforts. Landing pages can also help increase conversions and make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
6. Brand expansion:
If you’re expanding your brand into new markets or product lines, having additional domain names can help you establish a presence in those areas. For example, if you’re a clothing brand that’s expanding into home decor, you could register a domain name that’s specific to that category.
Just Starting a Business?
If you are in the process of starting a business, we recommend that you search for and choose a domain name for your business before you finalize the business name legally (by filing with the government). This way, you can secure the domain name right away. You do not want to wait and risk not being able to obtain the domain name that matches your brand. And this search might inform your choice about what to call your business.
Domain names are relatively inexpensive (usually less than $10 a year), which makes obtaining multiple domain names to protect your brand a low risk investment, even if you don’t end up using it later.
Let Webster Help You Establish Your Online Identity
As a part of our website building services, Webster Digital Marketing will assist you in obtaining the domain names you need for your website. We design professional, mobile-friendly websites that won’t break the bank. Check out our portfolioorcontact Webster todayfor a quote.
