The Best Way To Choose A Domain Name For Your Blog In 2023

Let’s say you want to start a blog about kids wear, and you choose the domain kidswear.com. 

Pretty awesome, right? 

Your domain perfectly aligns with your niche, and it’s easy to remember. But what if, in the future, you decide to expand your blog’s categories to include other things like toys, books, food, and more.

In that case, does the domain name kidswear.com still make sense?

The answer is no. 

Your domain name should reflect the broader scope of your blog. So, in this post, we’ll explore what to consider when choosing a domain name for your blog.

Additionally, I’ll share a couple of helpful tools to kickstart your domain name selection process. 

Let’s jump right in

What is a domain name

Think of a domain name as the street address of your website, allowing visitors to locate and access it easily. 

It typically consists of two main parts: the actual domain name (e.g., “shakeworldonline”) and the domain extension (e.g., “.com”). Together, they form a complete web address like “shakeworldonline.com.”

Domain names play a crucial role in branding, as they represent your business or blog name and help establish credibility and recognition. They can also impact your search engine rankings, user experience, and overall online presence.

What you should know before choosing a domain name

When selecting a domain name, it’s important to choose something relevant, memorable, and easy to spell and pronounce. It should reflect your brand identity and resonate with your target audience. 

Additionally, opting for a popular domain extension like “.com” can help instill trust and familiarity among users.

It’s worth noting that domain names are unique, meaning no two websites can have the exact same domain name. 

To secure a domain name, you must register it with a domain registrar, such as Bluehost or Namecheap, for a specified period (usually one to ten years). 

Once registered, the domain name becomes exclusively yours, and you can start building your online presence around it.

Element of a good domain name

Let me talk about some of the elements that define a good domain. Note that these elements are not a general rule, but they will help you make the right decision when choosing domain name for your blog.

1. Descriptive domain name

A descriptive domain name provides your visitors with a glimpse of what the blog is all about before they visit it. While it’s acceptable to include relevant keywords, don’t overstuff your domain name with keywords.

For instance, if your blog centers around web hosting, a domain name like “webhostingtips.com” would indeed contain the exact keywords. Yet, from an SEO standpoint, it doesn’t provide significant advantages. Avoid lengthy domain names like “bestwebhostingproviderforwordpress.com”. 

Instead, I encourage you to consider a more impactful domain name like “webhostingguide.com” This name not only describes the essence of your blog but also leaves room for potential branding opportunities. 

You might be wondering, “What about iconic brands like Amazon, Microsoft, or Apple? Should I follow their example?” The answer lies in striking a balance between descriptiveness and brandability. 

Remember, these brands have invested years and significant resources to build brand recognition. As a newcomer to the digital space, prioritizing descriptiveness can greatly aid your SEO efforts and attract organic traffic.

2. Brandable domain name

A brandable domain name is undoubtedly appealing. It evokes uniqueness and sparks curiosity. However, unless you have money for extensive advertising, it’s crucial to infuse some descriptive elements into your domain name. 

Think of it this way: if a global giant like Amazon didn’t spend millions on advertising and solely existed as a blog, would you instantly know it was an eCommerce website?

Therefore, while a brandable domain name can be captivating, it should still provide some insight into your blog’s focus.

For instance, suppose your blog revolves around promoting healthy food. In that case, you could go for domain names like “foodies.com”, “eathealthy.com”, or “foodify.com” These names include both brandability and a descriptive element, instantly telling people your blog is talking about healthy food.

3. Make sure it is short

In an increasingly crowded digital space, short domain names have become highly sought after. While many short domain names may already be taken.

With a little creativity and strategic thinking, you can discover unique and memorable ones. Aim for a domain name with fewer than nine characters, excluding the extension. 

Shorter domain names are easier to remember, type, and share, enhancing your blog’s accessibility and reach.

4. Keeping it below 4 syllables is better

Domain names with too many syllables are hard to pronounce and remember. Take for example this domain”adventurouswanderlust.com”

Now, let’s break it down and count the syllabus: “Ad-ven-tur-ous” and “Wan-der-lust.” That’s a total of six syllables, which can prove quite a challenge to remember accurately.

Studies have shown that human beings are more likely to recall names that are unique and easy to pronounce. That’s why it’s crucial to keep the number of syllables in your domain name to a minimum.

Take, for example, the domain name “ExpressFitnessTips.com.” With four syllables, it strikes a balance between being informative and easy to remember.

5. Beware of unintended double meanings

While creativity is encouraged, it’s crucial to avoid domain names that could be misunderstood or have negative connotations. 

Let’s say you’re starting a blog about gourmet cooking. Steer clear of names like “TastyBits” or “DelectableDelights” that could be misread as something else entirely. 

Instead, go for a name like “CulinaryCrave” or “FlavorfulFeast” that leaves no room for ambiguity. 

6. Avoid hyphens and numbers

While it may be tempting to use hyphens or numbers to create a unique domain name. You need to do it with caution. 

Hyphens and numbers can introduce unnecessary complexity and confusion. They make it harder for users to remember and type in your domain in their browser, hindering the accessibility and discoverability of your blog. 

Moreover, it can make it look unprofessional and less credible, as spammers and scammers often use such a domain in their dubious work.

7. Engagement

To build a successful blog, you must establish a deep connection with your target audience. Your domain name can be a powerful tool in achieving this. When selecting a name, consider your audience’s preferences, interests, and aspirations. 

What kind of language resonates with them? What tone or style will captivate their attention?

Let’s say you want to create a blog aimed at young professionals seeking personal growth and career advice. A domain name like careerignite.com or growthpathfinder.com exudes enthusiasm, motivation, and ambition.

8. Choose .com extension

When you think of a website, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? For most of us, it’s the trusty old “.com.” This three-letter extension has become synonymous with the internet itself. 

It’s the go-to choice for countless websites across various industries, and for a good reason—it’s recognizable, trustworthy, and carries a certain level of legitimacy.

The first time I heard about Jasper AI, the popular AI copywriter I typed in “jasper.com” into my browser, expecting to land directly on their official site. 

But to my surprise, I ended up somewhere else entirely. I had to go to Google to find what I was looking for. Frustrating, right?

I’m sure many of you can relate to this. It just goes to show that even for well-known brands or products, not having a “.com” extension can lead to confusion and inconvenience for users. So, if you want to make it easy for your visitors to find you, go for that trusted “.com” extension.

We’ve all heard of those phishing campaigns where scammers create fake web pages that look like facebook or gmail login pages. Or banks and government websites. These scammers often go for a domain name that is identical to the real one but with a different extension.

But we all know that banks normally go for .com while the government uses the .gov extension.

I must acknowledge that there are successful businesses and blogs out there that have used extensions other than “.com.” They have managed to carve their own unique online identities and thrive in their respective niches. 

However, for the majority of websites and brands, especially those targeting a broader audience, a “.com” domain remains the gold standard.

9. Check for conflicts with other brands

You’ve been dreaming of starting a technology blog, and you’ve come up with the brilliant name “TechMastermind.com.” You’re ready to buy the domain.

But you quickly discover that a prominent technology company already owns the trademark for “TechMastermind”. If you proceed with that domain, you might find yourself entangled in a legal battle that could drain your resources and jeopardize your blog’s future.

To avoid such a headache, I recommend utilizing a fantastic tool provided by the United States government called the Trademark Electronic Search System. It’s a simple, user-friendly platform that allows you to check if your chosen domain name conflicts with existing trademarks.

How to choose a domain name for your blog

You are going to learn how to choose a domain name for your blog using Namelix name generator. These remarkable AI-powered tool will shower you with brilliant domain ideas and suggestions. Additionally, we will use NameCheap to check domain availability.

Namelix name generator

Let’s imagine we’re starting a blog in the beauty niche. We’ll head over to Namelix and enter a few niche-related keywords like beauty, stylist, skin care, make up, and more.

Click on “Generate”.

Now, I personally prefer the “Auto” Name style, but feel free to explore other styles that resonate with you. 

Click “Next,” and for a well-rounded domain.

Let’s select the “medium” option to strike a balance between niche relevance and brandability. 

Hit “Next” again, and go ahead and write a few words to describe the essence of your blog. 

Ready? Hit that “Generate” button.

Namelix will generate domain name ideas. So from the list you can choose any preferred name of your choice.

Let’s say you choose “Beautytalks”. You can check if the domain is available on Namecheap.

Namecheap

Namecheap is a popular domain registrar that houses millions of domains. So click here to head over to Namecheap to check if the domain is available or already taken by someone else.

Once you’re on the Namecheap homepage, you’ll notice a search bar prominently displayed at the top. 

This is where you can enter your desired domain name to check its availability. In our case, type in “beautytalks.com” (without the quotation marks) into the search bar.

Hit the Enter key or click on the search button.

Namecheap will now display the search results for the domain name you entered. If “beautytalks.com” is available, you will see a message stating “Your Domain Is Available!” along with the price for registration.

However, if the domain is already taken or unavailable, Namecheap will provide alternative suggestions or offer the domain for sale through their premium marketplace.

In such cases, you may need to brainstorm other domain name options or explore the suggested alternatives.

Use of thesaurus 

Use a thesaurus to search for words that could pair well with your niche. Words like “hub” and “community” often work wonders. 

Mix and match them with your niche words, and you’ll be surprised by the creative combinations that emerge.

By using these same method, we found success with words like “beautyhub” “beautycenter” and “beautyfocus”.

These domain names fit our criteria perfectly. While “beautyhub” may not be the ideal match, a touch of creativity can refine it further.

Have a burning question? Ask…