Domain names are important to establish your online presence with a website that fits your business. Buying and registering a domain name does not have to be complicated, but there can be some challenges when it comes to deciding what is the best choice to name your domain and what if that domain name is already taken.
There are a bunch of smaller moving parts when it comes to purchasing and registering a domain name, but in this guide, we will show you a variety of possibilities so you and your business can be successful in starting your online presence.
How Can I Buy a Domain Name?
Unfortunately, buying a domain name isn’t as easy as ordering from Amazon, mainly because people might have already registered a domain name that you want. Take some time in researching keywords related to your company or business and keep a list of potential favorites, then search for your desired name to see if it is available.
If the exact name you want is already registered, websites like GoDaddy are good at suggesting similar names that are available. However, if there is a name you absolutely want and it is already registered, there are some possibilities for obtaining it. Through searching, you might find that the domain name you want is available via a domain aftermarket. This is a place in which you can bid on already registered domain names. If it is not available on the domain aftermarket, then your only option is to reach out to the current domain owner and make them an offer.
You can also search for domains that are about to expire, websites like Flippa, eBay, and GoDaddy auction off expired domain names. There are some limitations when it comes to domain names, mainly copyright limitations. If someone registers a website with your company name and you can prove you are the legal copyright owner to that brand name, then there are steps and rules in place to make sure if someone else has your copyrighted name registered, that it can be released back into its copyright owner’s hands.
How Can I Make My Domain Stand Out Amongst Competitors?
It is important for a business to be unique from its competitors and having a unique domain name can assure of this. One of the best things to keep in mind when registering a domain name is to have something that is simple and easy to remember. You want your future clients to be able to recall your brand name, so try not to make a name that is overtly complex. The shorter you can make it, the better! Short, simple, and sweet always is the winner when it comes to making a name people can recall.
Another way you can stand out is if you look beyond the common .com, especially since the average length of a .com is 15 characters. The internet has grown to have many more domain extensions that can stand out from the typical .com that has been around since 1985. Plus, there are a lot of fun domain extensions that can add more to your branding and marketing.
From fun extensions like .cat to .Vegas, there is something out there for everyone. Who wouldn’t want to add the iconic Las Vegas branding to your domain name? There are many ways a domain name can help with branding or marketing, but it ultimately comes down to what works best for your company or business.
Checking Domain History
If you are registering a domain name that has been previously registered, it may be a smart idea to check the history of that domain. Sometimes domain names may be associated with a shady history, and it can affect your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) results.
Use internet archives to ensure that your domain does not have any negative history that Google could penalize you for. This is something to be conscious of if you’re bidding on domain aftermarkets because it’s safer to register a brand-new domain than an older one that has a bad history.
How Will My Domain Name Affect My SEO Rank?
Having a good and keyword-rich domain name can highly impact your SEO Ranking. A domain name isn’t supposed to directly impact SEO Ranking, but if your domain name is short and eye-catching enough, then more people are likely to click on it and the users’ choices impact a website’s ranking.
Do not forget having keyword-rich content within your website will also help it rank higher but having a user-friendly domain name will most likely garner more clicks and traffic to your site. So, the previous tips still apply, keep it short, simple, keyword-friendly, and unique enough to make people want to click on your link.
Using Domain Names to Grow My Business
If you already have an established business, but maybe want to grow or expand upon it, then you most certainly can keep that relevant in your domain name. If you for instance own a candy store but want to expand into selling pastries, you could keep your domain name broader than a name such as tastysweets.com.
The best part of registering a domain name is having creative liberties and being in control of your branding. There are thousands of unique combinations out there that can stand out amongst the crowd, but it is up to you to find one you want to register and identify with.
.Vegas is here to be a domain extension that adds the exciting branding of Las Vegas to your domain name. Interested in having a .Vegas for yourself? Connect with us today and turn on the excitement of being a part of the Las Vegas branding. Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at support@the.vegas and we will gladly assist you with any questions, comments, or concerns.