Choosing the right domain name is the first and perhaps the most important step in establishing your online presence. Not only does it determine the reach of your website, it also carries the identity of your brand. A well-chosen domain name helps you to be easily found, memorable and contributes to your online success in the long run. Below, I've put together some of the most important things to consider when choosing the right domain!
Be short and easy to remember
Short, simple domain names are better remembered by visitors. Try to avoid overly long or complicated terms, as these increase the chance of typos and are harder to remember. A short, good-sounding name is also much easier to spread verbally, which helps to encourage spontaneous referrals to your business.
Your domain name should be easy to pronounce and spell. If visitors have difficulty pronouncing or spelling it correctly, you could lose significant traffic. In addition, search engines may prefer domains that are easy to understand.
Avoid complicated combinations of letters or names that can be spelled in more than one way.
The role of keywords in a domain name is becoming less critical for SEO, but it can still be useful to include a term that refers to your business. However, it is important that the keyword insertion is natural and does not become forced or confusing.
Choose the right domain extension
The TLD (Top-Level Domain) is also an important aspect. The most common is ".com", which is globally recognised and accepted. If your business is mainly targeting a Hungarian audience, you should choose ".hu". For Evolve To Web, I personally use ".com" by default, but if you want to use ".com" as your main domain name, you should use ".com"..en" in the address bar of your browser, evolvetoweb.com will be loaded. This is because I bought both domains and then redirected the ".hu" ending. So if someone accidentally missypypes it, no problem, because it will reach my site.
If you are in a specific field, you might consider using a thematic extension such as ".tech", ".shop" or ".store".
Avoid numbers and hyphens
Numbers and hyphens can often lead to misunderstandings. People may not know whether a number is written with a letter or a number sign, and hyphens can often be confusing. The fewer the complicated elements, the easier it is to remember and type the domain name.
Check legal protection and availability
Before you finalise your choice, make sure the domain name is still available and does not conflict with any trademarks. This is particularly important if your business name is unique or if you plan to enter the international market. A quick search can check this in several places, such as Rackforest side.
Be timeless
When choosing a name, think about the future of your business. Try to find a name that will remain relevant in the long term and is not too tied to a particular period or trend. This way you can avoid having to look for a new domain name when your business grows or changes.
Prices for domain names
This depends mainly on which ending you use. A domain ending in ".hu" costs 1500-2000 HUF, those ending in ".com" start at around 5000 HUF per year. You should also consider these aspects when making your choice.