Choosing a website name is thought-provoking. Opening a brand new site and you're hoping to work on it for many years to come, hopefully. But choosing a good domain name is another thing because it depends on the availability. Your site is your brand, therefore you want a name that you can connect to. Here's how to choose a website name without regret.
Choosing the Right Vibe for Your Website Name
Melinda Pappardelle famously said quite a few useful things to do when you're stuck with a website name. Based on her words, here are the way to choose the "right vibe" to start with.
Reflecting Your Content
Your website name should be a mirror of your content, don't you think? If you're running a travel blog, "ScenicJourneys" sounds about right. It paints a picture of what to expect. For a tech blog, something like "TechTrendz" could be spot on. It's catchy and tells visitors you're all about the latest in tech.
- Travel Blogs: Names like "WanderlustWay" or "GlobeTrotterTips"
- Tech Blogs: Think "GizmoGeeks" or "InnovateTech"
- Food Blogs: Maybe "DelishBites" or "SavoryTrails"
Matching Your Tone
The name sets the tone, right? If your site's vibe is upbeat, choose something energetic. "DanceBeatCentral" for a music blog, perhaps? But if you're going for a more serious, thoughtful vibe, maybe "DeepThoughtsDiary" for a personal blog. Your name should give a hint of your site's personality.
- Upbeat Sites: Names like "GrooveVibes" or "JoyfulJourney"
- Serious Sites: Consider "ReflectiveMinds" or "QuietThoughts"
Easy to Remember and Spell
Let's be real, if people can't remember or spell your site's name, they're not coming back. Simple, catchy, and easy to type names stick in the mind. "TechTalk" is easier to remember than "TechnologicalConversations," right?
- Keep it short: "BrightBites" over "GastronomicAdventuresInCooking"
- Easy to spell: "TravelTales" instead of "WanderlustChronicles"
The Emotional Impact
Your website name can evoke emotions. "HappyHomeBakes" sounds warm and inviting, doesn't it? But a name like "MelancholyMusic" sets a different mood. Think about the emotional response you want to trigger.
- Positive emotions: "JoyfulYoga" or "HappyHealthTips"
- Reflective or deeper emotions: "SoulfulStories" or "MindfulMusings"
SEO and Keywords
Can't ignore SEO, can we? Including a keyword in your website name can boost your search engine presence. "FitnessFreaks" or "BudgetTraveler" not only describe your content but also help with rankings.
- Fitness sites: "FitZone" or "WorkoutWarriors"
- Budget travel: "CheapTrips" or "BudgetBackpacker"
Unique and Memorable
A unique name stands out. "ZestyZebra" for a lifestyle blog? It's different and memorable. But beware of being too quirky. You want to be remembered for the right reasons.
- Aim for unique: "QuirkyQuokka" instead of "TheLifestyleBlog"
- Memorable but relevant: "NiftyKnits" rather than "JustAnotherCraftBlog"
“If you cannot think of a website name, eat. And when you can, eat.” (Melinda Pappardelle)
Website Name and Relevancy
For SEO purposes, it's good if your website name and domain name reflect the content and the nature of your business. It does help improve rank on search engines. For example, if your site is about repairing electric toothbrushes, you name the site title "Best Electric Toothbrush Repair" and the domain name www.bestelectrictoothbrushrepair.com. It makes more sense to your customers, too.
There are two downsides.
One is its length (www.bestelectrictoothbrushrepair.com as the example above). The name might make sense to your customers but it's too long and not exactly easiest to remember.
The other one is, frankly, it's boring. OK, the name says it all. Every visitor will know what your website is all about. But there's no personality or whatsoever in it.
One way to make it a little more exciting, you name the website, say, "Fat Papa's Toothbrush Repair" (just made it up - don't read too much into it!) and shorten the domain name such as www.fatpapasrepair.com or www.toothbrushrepair.com.
Instead, you can choose a name that's shorter but completely irrelevant. For example Amazon. The site has nothing to do with the rainforest in South America, and we all know it is the most successful retail site in the world.
Your name can be your website name, as if to indicate that you were already a brand before your website's created. Like McDonald's, just someone's surname, have never called themselves "McDonald's Burger Restaurant" and we all know it's a chain of burger restaurants. There are Pros and cons to this.
Pro's:
- It's unique. The uniqueness provides your website as a brand.
- In case your business changes its direction, you can continue to use the name. For example your business starts to repair electric shavers in addition to toothbrushes. Or even start a completely different business.
Con's:
- That kind of short domain name (Amazon, Smith, James) are never available.
- No one will know what your site is about by the name.
What a boringly basic how-to guide is this?
Site Title and URL
If you choose a name that describes the services you offer, it's better if your domain name (URL) is the same as your website name (site title) to avoid confusion.
Using the electric toothbrush repair example, you name the site title "Electric Toothbrush Repair" but the domain name www.electrictoothbrushrepair.com may already be taken by someone else. So you decide to swap the words around and name it www.repairelectrictoothbrush.com. This could confuse your customers too!
Dot Com
In addition to usual domain name extensions such as .com, .net, .org, there are hundreds of other extensions assigned by ICANN available, such as .xyz, .domains, .love etc etc.
Unless your target audience is country specific, such as .co.uk for United Kingdom, I always suggest that you should go for .com.
".com" is the most used domain extension. If www.electrictoothbrushrepair.com is not available, it may mean your competitor is out there, already using the name that you wanted to use. Check the URL and see who's using it, and what the site is like before deciding to go for another extension such as www.electrictoothbrushrepair.org. Which I wouldn't. Any extensions rather than .com can give a "secondary" impression to visitors, and your website may always be shadowed by your competitor's .com site.
If a domain name with .com is taken, I would personally think twice and search for a different domain name instead. This is up to you.
Check Domain Name Availability
You can check if your domain name is available or not from Namecheap.com. It's free to check, of course.
Avoid Trademark Infringement
I have mentioned Amazon and McDonald's above, but the last thing you want to do is to choose a domain name that already commercially exists. For example www.amazon.love (it's already protected and unavailable). Not only the exact name but choosing a very similar name that's confusing such as "amazzon" or "faceboookk" is a bad idea. It will only give your site a spammy impression with zero credibility, it will do no favor to your business, so avoid going for anything silly like that.
How To Choose Website Name Without Regret
I must admit I have done it many times in the past myself - chosen a domain name, paid for it, and regretted it. By the time I got everything else going such as site design, blog posts, and advertisements, the website had already started building up as a brand and it was too late for me to change the site name.
So how to choose a website name without regret is definitely to take your time to search for a name that's unique, memorable, and most importantly, a name that you really love.
Subdomain
My best suggestion is to use a free subdomain name in the beginning. A subdomain is part of a larger domain, therefore the hosting company's name follows after your chosen name. For example Siterubix below. It allows you to use it for free as long as you like.
With Siterubix, you can start building your website without paying a dime. When you've found your perfect domain name, you pay for it (around $10-$14 per year), and the name can easily be transferred to your site.
Try any name in the box below and see if it's available. That'll be the perfect start.
Facing Regret with Your Website Name
Been there, done that. You pick a website name, thinking it's perfect, and then bam, regret hits you like a truck. It's like naming a pet and realizing too late it sounds silly, right? But unlike a pet, with a website, you've got options.
Rebranding: A Fresh Start
Rebranding is a thing - if the name doesn't fit anymore, you can totally change it. Of course it's a bit of work, but it's doable. You'd need a new domain name, and to update your branding across the board. It's like giving your website a new haircut and wardrobe.
Keep in mind that you could lose some of your audience if they can't find you or don't connect with the new name. And Google, oh boy, it might take a while to catch up with your new identity. SEO implications, you know?
Redirecting: Keep the Old, Embrace the New
You don't have to ditch your old name entirely. You can keep it and redirect it to your new domain. It's like leaving breadcrumbs for your audience to find you. This way, you won't lose traffic and can gradually move to your new name. Clever, right?
Communicating the Change
Communication is key. You've got to tell your audience what's happening. Update them via email, social media, your website, maybe even a press release if you're feeling fancy. It's like telling your friends you've changed your phone number.
SEO Considerations
Changing your website name can mess with your search rankings. It's a bit of a setback, but not the end of the world. Update your SEO strategy, focus on new keywords, and be patient. It's like starting a new workout routine. Results take time, don't they?
Keeping the Old Name as a Lesson
Here's a thought. Maybe keep the old name as a lesson learned. You could start a new site with your new, awesome name and keep the old one running too. It's a bit more work, but it's like having two shots at success. Who doesn't like a backup plan?
Since Nobody's Reading...
Right, this post was written in 2016. No longer indexed by Google, nobody's reading it, and perhaps not worth reading it because the content is so freaking boringly common sense. By now millions of other bloggers have said exactly the same thing.
When what do I do? Get AI to say whatever it wants to say.
Website names are like those random thoughts you have in the shower – sometimes brilliant, often bizarre, and always a reflection of that weird and wonderful brain of yours. Imagine if website names were like the dreams you have. One day, you’re visiting “FlyingPenguinsParade.com”, and the next, you stumble upon “DancingTacosInSushiBar.org”. Wouldn’t the internet be a surreal wonderland?
Let’s drift into the realm of the absurd. What if website names were assigned like weird nicknames at a summer camp? You don’t get to choose. You just show up one day, and you’re handed “GlitteringBananaPeel.com” or “MysteriousSofaJourney.net”. It's like the internet’s own quirky rite of passage.
Now, consider a world where website names are fleeting, changing daily like the special at your favorite café. Monday, it’s “RainyDayMusings.com”; by Tuesday, it has morphed into “SunshineSerenades.net”. It’d be chaos, but the kind that makes you laugh because what else can you do?
What if website names had to rhyme? “FightPhatChildObesity.com”, “WhereItsAtMatatini.net”, “ChitChatCatInTheHat.org”. It’s silly, sure, but imagine trying to explain your favorite site without breaking into a smile. It's like a secret language, a linguistic handshake known only to those in the know.
Picture this: website names based on your current mood. Feeling happy? You’re redirected to “JoyfulBubbles.com”. In a funk? Welcome to “GloomyRoomy.net”. The internet becomes your mood ring, a digital mirror to your soul. It's a bit unnerving but fascinating, like a book that changes its story every time you read it.
Now, let's daydream about website names being like a box of chocolates – you never know what you're going to get. One click could take you to “VelvetSunsetWhispers.com” and the next to “ThunderousLaughterEchoes.net”. Each visit, a surprise, each name, a story untold.
What if website names aged like fine wine? “NewbieShite.com” slowly matures into “VintageInternetGem.org”. The name gains layers, textures, a history that newcomers can only wonder at. It's a digital archaeology, layers of the web's history etched in its name.
In a world less serious, less bound by the rules of SEO and branding, website names could be the internet’s wild garden – unpredictable, a little nonsensical, and teeming with the unexpected. They could be conversation starters, the beginning of a joke, or the start of a story you never knew you wanted to hear.
In this whimsical wonderland, website names are not just a digital address; they are tiny windows into alternate realities, glimpses into what could be if we let our imaginations roam free. It's a reminder that the internet, at its core, is a playground of ideas, and what better way to celebrate that than with names that make you pause, ponder, or even burst into laughter?
Your Website Name and the Challenge of Creativity
When you're stressed, it feels like a thick fog has settled over your brain. It's not just about feeling sad; it's like your mind's ability to light up with ideas gets dampened. Coming up with happy, cheerful names for things? That can feel like trying to run a marathon with weights tied to your feet.
Brain Chemistry and Creativity
Depression messes with your brain's chemistry, you know? It's like a chemical cocktail that's gone a bit wrong.
- Serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good chemicals, are often in short supply in depression.
- This imbalance can dull creativity, making it harder to think of positive or happy things.
- The brain's prefrontal cortex, which is like the command center for creativity, gets affected too.
So, when you try to think of something upbeat like "SunshineCafe.com" or "HappyHikers.net", your brain might just not cooperate. It's like asking a car to run without fuel, isn't it?
Depression's Effect on Thought Patterns
Depression often leads to negative thought patterns. It's like a record that's stuck on a sad song.
- Negative thinking becomes a loop, making it hard to think of positive or happy things.
- The mental energy required for creativity gets used up in this loop of negative thoughts.
- It's tough to break free from this cycle and think of something joyful or uplifting.
The Role of Motivation
Let's talk about motivation. When you're depressed, motivation often takes a nosedive. It's not just about feeling too sad to do things; it's like your brain's get-up-and-go has got-up-and-left.
- Lack of motivation affects the ability to engage in creative thinking.
- Simple tasks can feel overwhelming, let alone something creative like naming something.
- You might have a happy name on the tip of your tongue, but the energy to articulate it seems missing.
Creativity in Spite of Hideous Ideas
But here's something interesting. Sometimes, even in the depths of your state, creativity can find a way. It's like a tiny spark in a hideous ideas.
- Moments of clarity can occur, where happy or creative thoughts bubble up.
- It's unpredictable but not impossible. Like catching a glimpse of sunlight on a cloudy day, isn't it?
- Some people find that their creative expression changes, becoming deeper, more reflective.
The Silver Lining
Silver Lining
And you know what? Sometimes, the struggle with that kind of thing can lead to a unique kind of creativity. It's not all doom and gloom.
- Some of the greatest artists and writers produced profound work while battling stress.
- This doesn't mean depression is good, but it shows that creativity can still exist in dark times.
- Happy names might be hard to come by, but names with depth and meaning might emerge.
So, can you come up with happy names when you're down? It's tough, for sure. Your brain's not really on your side in this battle. But creativity is a strange beast; it can show up when you least expect it, in ways you might not anticipate. You might not be churning out "RainbowSmiles.com", but "DeepThoughts.org"? That could just be your brain's way of finding light in the darkness, does that sound about right?
Hello, Ray.
This is an interesting article. Picking up a good and most importantly the right domain name for your new born site is somewhat critical to its success. Or at least, that I like to think and I spent hours thinking of one for my website in the past.
A .com a is my first choice, and always no hyphens. Relevancy is always key and I prefer brand names to keyword domain names. Personal choice because I think that you will have more room for many topics on your site.
Hi Imad, thanks for your comment. I personally prefer brand names to keyword domain names too, I think the opinions towards hyphens have changed over the years, it’s generally said better without hyphens in recent years, but I personally prefer with. When two words are put together they’re hard to read and people often misspell, whilst separating words with a hyphen clarifies better. But that doesn’t seem to be the norm these days.
Hi Ray,
That was a great article in explaining to the newbie all that should be thought about in choosing the proper website name and domain for their business.
For a fact I personally had a difficult time coming up with the proper name for one of my online businesses. It required a lot of thought and a bit of frustration finding out that names that I wanted were already taken.
And, as I was told and emphasized in your article one should never go with .org, .net, .edu instead of .com when choosing the domain even though the latter usually costs more $$.
Unless your website ends in .com in any other situation it just looks cheesy and actually less than professional as an online business otherwise.
Thank you for writing this article, Raymundo!
Jeff
Hi Jeff, thanks for your comment! Like you, I have spent days trying to come up with the right domain name for my websites and have never been perfectly happy with any of them. Yes as you say, some domain extensions are cheesier than cheesy, some sound quite embarrassing. But that’s the owners’ choice. Unless it’s something clever such as goo.gl (country code for Greenland). Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.