Choosing your domain name is a lot like choosing a company name, it requires a lot of thought and consideration. Your domain name will be your identity on the web so you want to make sure you choose a name that fits your business, and is also easy to find and promote.

Here are 10 tips for choosing the perfect domain name

1. Make sure it is easy to type.
2. Try to keep it short.
3. Use keywords your customers will be searching for.
4. Target your local area.
5. Don’t use numbers and hyphens.
6. Make it memorable.
7. Do your research first.
8. Use the correct domain name extension.
9. Protect and build your brand.
10. Act fast.

Make sure it is easy to type

Finding a domain name that’s easy to type is important to your success online. Don’t use slang or words with multiple spellings, it will only make it harder for customers to find your site.

Try to keep it short

If your domain name is too long or complex, your customers might mistype or misspell it. Keeping it short and simple is the best way to go.

Use the keywords your customers will be searching for

Try using keywords that describe your business and the services you offer (example: BasicWebsiteDesigners.com). What would a potential customer type into a search engine to find your site? if you’re a garden center business, you might try to register GardenCenter.com or GardenCenters.com. Most short domain names are already taken so you may need to get creative. Just try to make it as short and simple as possible.

Target your local area

If your business is local, consider adding your city or state to your domain name. That makes it easy for local customers to find and remember your web address. Example: ChicagoGardenCenter.com.

Don’t use numbers and hyphens

Numbers and hyphens are often misunderstood, people who hear your website address don’t know if you’re using the numeral 3 or it’s spelled out “three” or they misplace or forget the dash, and it looks more professional without the oddball characters.

Make it memorable

There are millions of registered domain names, so having a domain that’s unique and memorable is essential. Once you’ve come up with a name, share it with friends and family to make sure it sounds appealing and makes sense to others.

Do your research first

Check to see if the domain name you want isn’t trademarked, copyrighted or being used by another company. You could find yourself in a legal mess that could cost you a fortune, as well as your domain!

Use the correct domain name extension

Extensions are the suffixes, like “.com”, “.org”, “.net” at the end of a web address. They can have specific uses, so make sure to choose the one that works for your type of business. The .com domain extension is by far the most popular, but it is also the most used and it can be tough to get a short and memorable .com domain name.

Protect and build your brand

There are a host of new generic top-level domains like “.photography”, “.guru”, “.nyc”  which offer a great opportunity to register short and highly relevant names. Here are some other extensions and how they’re often used:

.info : informational sites.
.net : technical, Internet infrastructure sites.
.org : non-commercial organizations and nonprofits.
.biz : business or commercial use, like e-commerce sites.
.co : an abbreviation for company, commerce, and community.
.me : blogs, resumes or personal sites.

To protect your brand, you can register various domain extensions, as well as misspelled versions of your domain name. This prevents competitors from registering other versions of your domain name and ensures your customers are directed to your website, even if they mistype or misspell it.

Act fast

Domain names sell quickly and chances are good that the name you want may already be taken. If you’re having trouble finding an available name try GoDaddy. They can suggest alternate names during your domain search that can help you find the perfect domain name.