How to Choose a Brandable Domain Name?

So you have decided to take the plunge and bring your business online by creating a website.

Perhaps you will only be using the site for purely informational purposes – or maybe you are planning to create an online storefront.

Whatever the case, you need a domain name for your business and you want to be sure that it is a brandable one.

What is a brandable domain?

A brandable domain is a vanity url or web address that is synonymous with your company's image or brand. It may contain keywords or it may be something totally unrelated to the brand, but memorable just the same.

For example, someone who sells things for children may choose StuffForKids.gdn for their domain name. It tells people what your business is about and it is easy for them to remember, which makes it easier for them to find you.

Alternately, it may just be a single word company name that stands out in people's minds – even if it has nothing to do with what your company is about, such as Yahoo!, Google or Expedia.

So, how do you choose a brandable domain for your business?

Regardless of whether you plan to go the keyword route or the single word logo, the process for choosing a brandable domain name is pretty much the same.

Pick your approach.  – Before you can choose a brandable domain name, you need to decide which approach to take in regards to bringing in traffic. If you want most of your traffic to come from search engines, opt for the keyword route. However, if you want your traffic to come from organic searches just because people remember your name and URL, go for the single word option.

Are you staying local or going global? - If you intent to target a specific geographic market with your brand, you should incorporate that into the domain name you choose. For instance, www.TexasGolf.gdn is an example of a location-targeted brandable domain name. However, if you plan to serve the global market and want to attract global business, leave out the location bit when deciding on your domain name, as it isn't necessary and would have the opposite effect with search engines.

Strive for simplicity. – You want people to be able to find you when they are in the market to buy what you are selling. So keep that in mind when choosing your domain name. No one is going to remember a domain name that is long, creatively spelled, irrelevant, boring or just plain hard to remember. Consumers want simplicity. Give it to them by keeping your domain name short, simple, to the point – but memorable!

Play with your words. – If you are looking for a single word domain name for your brand, chances are you will be disappointed. Those tend to sell as quickly as they become available so you may not find the exact match you are looking for. That is when you have to become creative. Blend two or three words together to create a new word, shorten lengthy ones or use simple acronyms and abbreviations instead.