Creative Business Names - Finding Your Perfect Match
Do you have an offline business and want to expand your audience reach with a website, or do you want to start your business online from scratch?
The first thing you need to do is to find the right domain. It should be a unique name relevant to your brand and products and also one that gives you a good chance of competing successfully in your niche.
The best thing you can do is to perform an instant domain search at Namecheap, one of the best domain name registrars in the world. However, there are plenty of tips and ideas in this article on choosing a name for your online business - so keep reading on.
Interesting Facts and Statistics about Domains
Did you know that by 2027, the number of registered domains will reach an impressive 510 million? Although the first domain name was registered back in 1985, the biggest growth has been in the last several years due to the rapid growth of internet technology.
If you are just planning to launch a website in any niche, chances are pretty high that the most suitable name for your online resource is already taken by someone. Thus, according to Domain Name Stat, every year there are more than 1 million new domain names in the world.
Here are some more impressive facts about domains that you should know about before choosing the right one for your website:
In the days when the internet was in its infancy, domains were provided for free. Notably, voice.com was sold for $30 million in 2019 making it one of the most expensive domains.
Buying a good domain name can be a kind of investment. For example, business.com was purchased in 1999 and sold 8 years later for 46 times its original price.
The top-level domain ‘.com’ remains one of the most popular. However, recently there has been an increase in the popularity of ‘.io’, especially among tech companies.
When coming up with a domain, you can only use letters, numbers and hyphens. The use of any other characters is prohibited, which significantly narrows the creative opportunities.
If you want to use a specific word in the name - but such a domain is already occupied - you can use a non-standard extension such as ‘.xyz’. Such domains are popular today because of their novelty and originality.
Already want to buy a domain but you do not yet have a website (or it is at the stage of development)? You can use a domain parking service enabling you to secure the domain and ownership of it while you are not actually using it.
There are also domain marketplaces where you can sell the domain if you don't need it.
Helpful Tips and Ideas for Selecting a Domain for Your Business
Domain is the address by which customers will find your online project and return to it again and again. That's why you need to choose this address as responsibly as possible.
Below you will find both small business name ideas and tips on choosing domains for large companies. Use them to come up with an impressive, memorable and concise name that will ensure the success of your business.
Try to be Concise and Precise
Imagine you meet your friend and you want to tell him about your new business. He is probably more likely to remember a shorter and more succinct version than a complex and wordy phrase describing your online venture.
A short domain has a lot of advantages: it looks simple and concise, is easier to type in the address bar of the browser, and is better remembered. According to general recommendations, the length of the address should be no more than 15 characters.
There are many examples of simple and memorable names on the global network, such as Google, Twitter or Amazon. Each of them sounds short, memorable and convincing, which is the secret of success.
Important: avoid hyphens and numbers, if possible, as they make it difficult to verbally explain your website name. In addition, Internet users can make mistakes when spelling such domains.
It Should Reflect Your Brand
Does your company name reflect what your company does? If so, include that in the domain name.
For example, freshflowers.com is perfect for a flower delivery company website. People just need to read the name of the website to understand what services you provide.
Some companies combine the descriptive word of their business with the name. With this approach, they emphasise their brand, the line of business and also add personality to their online address.
Add Keywords for SEO
Research the niche your business operates in and make a list of keywords that potential customers find you for. Having keywords in your domain is a good foundation for future SEO efforts.
However, don't overdo the keywords. By not keeping balance, you will end up with a domain that looks spammy in the eyes of your audience.
Choose the Extension Wisely
It's no surprise that many businesses are chasing the very popular - and very expensive - ‘.com’ extension. However, there are many more affordable alternatives available today.
If your site is aimed at a global audience, you could try ‘.net’ or ‘.co’ which have performed well in recent times too. You can also emphasise your industry by choosing an option like ‘.tech’ or ‘.shop’ depending on the type of business you are in.
Find Out What Your Family and Friends Think About Your Domain
What seems perfect and appropriate to you may be difficult and confusing to others. Talk about your chosen name to others to find out if it sounds easy and understandable.
Ask your family and friends to be honest as much as possible. Remember that the best firm names were thought up by brainstorming.
Bottom Line
A domain is essentially the first words that start customers getting to know your business. Truly creative business names can provide authenticity to companies in the vast online space.
Make your domain easy to remember and pleasant to pronounce. By using time-tested online domain selection solutions and relying on feedback from friends and family, you can come up with something that will ensure the long-term success of your online venture.