how do I pick my website domain name?

18 replies
I am in the process of starting my first site but am not sure how to pick a domain, I don't want to spend much and am unsure about a few things.

Should I get a new domain, expired domain, and how do I pick a name as I want it too be a good name for SEO purposes. I'm also not sure how to get a good keyword domain, is it simply a name that contains a high search volume on it.


Danny
#domain #pick #website
  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Go to namecheap.com or godaddy.com and look for expiring domains. If you can't find one, use google keyword tool to find keyword then check if the domain of your choice is available.
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  • Profile picture of the author ckbank
    Originally Posted by dannyboy30 View Post

    I am in the process of starting my first site but am not sure how to pick a domain, I don't want to spend much and am unsure about a few things.

    Should I get a new domain, expired domain, and how do I pick a name as I want it too be a good name for SEO purposes. I'm also not sure how to get a good keyword domain, is it simply a name that contains a high search volume on it.


    Danny
    Personally, I use Market Samurai to do keyword research. Simplest rule in picking a domain name is that it has to contain keywords related to your niche. So if you are talking about cucumbers, that word has to be somewhere in the domain name. If you can't find an available domain name, go to DomainsBot.com and it will give you ideas once you write your keyword.
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  • Profile picture of the author cpa-money
    expired domains might be risky if they are black listed...
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  • Profile picture of the author walkin
    Domain name with keyword that you want to target is very important to consider before you purchase. Name cheap is a good place or you can buy at auction for good names, some people sell nice domain name at domain auctions.
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  • Profile picture of the author Griffin Smith
    Originally Posted by dannyboy30 View Post

    I am in the process of starting my first site but am not sure how to pick a domain, I don't want to spend much and am unsure about a few things.

    Should I get a new domain, expired domain, and how do I pick a name as I want it too be a good name for SEO purposes. I'm also not sure how to get a good keyword domain, is it simply a name that contains a high search volume on it.


    Danny
    After fumbling through buying a couple of my own domains, here's a good method:

    • Always make sure you have a keyword matching domain name..ex. your niche is "dog training" if it's available I'd use something like "dogtrainingbydanny.com"
    • Go to Google keyword tool and click the advanced options and filters tab, then select "filter ideas" and "local monthly searches >=" type in 300, after that select competition and click the low box and then click search. You'll get ideas on your domain name that have at least 300 monthly searches with low competition.
    • Once you've got some good ideas, I'd check them out at instant domain name checker and find one that's available
    • Then I'll usually register the domain name at a godaddy or namecheap and then let hostgator do the rest.
    ~Griffin Smith
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  • Profile picture of the author TimGray
    Originally Posted by dannyboy30 View Post

    I am in the process of starting my first site but am not sure how to pick a domain, I don't want to spend much and am unsure about a few things.

    Should I get a new domain, expired domain, and how do I pick a name as I want it too be a good name for SEO purposes. I'm also not sure how to get a good keyword domain, is it simply a name that contains a high search volume on it.


    Danny
    Hi Danny

    when it comes to domain names I personally find it best to follow these simple guide lines.

    1: Make it catchy
    2: Make it easy to remember
    3: keep it below 26 charactors long
    4: if you are doing keyword research then try to have your main keyword in the domain name.

    hope this helps

    Tim
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  • Profile picture of the author gpwilson
    While choosing the name of domain, it is always a better idea to choose such a name which reflects the purpose of your site. Choose your domain name according to the purpose of your site.
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  • Profile picture of the author RenderTheWeb
    It all depends on what I'm doing, sometimes I can find a good domain name for sale. I also use Domai.nr to help me spicy a few things up.
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    • Profile picture of the author dannyboy30
      Hi guys, thanks for the answers, does it matter if I get a new domain or is it not good for SEO puposes to buy a new domain?

      Danny
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      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by dannyboy30 View Post

        Hi guys, thanks for the answers, does it matter if I get a new domain or is it not good for SEO puposes to buy a new domain?

        Danny
        If you dont know anything about how to check a domain for SEO attributes, I would suggest just getting a new domain.

        For us to explain it to you here, would take a month of Sundays.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Forget about building your site around search volume - especially for the domain.

    EMD's are pretty much done. You'd be far better off building something brandable.
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    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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  • Profile picture of the author vcd0304
    Domain name is important, I agree with Tim, something catchy, but domain name is not as important as what your website is offering. Having keywords in your domain is good and bad, really depends on whats your niche. Just make sure it doesn't sounds like trying to rely on domain name alone for seo ranking. Branded domain will work in long term over EMD as google is slow penalizing these type of domains.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by vcd0304 View Post

      google is slow penalizing these type of domains.
      Google isn't penalizing exact match domains - they're penalizing stupidity. Which, in most cases ties in with clueless marketers blasting the crap out of EMD's.

      Been there, done that - forget about it.
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      BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

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  • Profile picture of the author IulianP
    I say you should decide first what your niche is going to be about and do some keyword research before buying anything.
    I found myself in your same position some time ago and before really starting to create a blog I had 3 domains that had nothing to do about with the first blog I created.
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  • Profile picture of the author dannyboy30
    what do you mean by penalizing stupidity, I didn't know google were penalizing EMD's?
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  • Profile picture of the author DerekGann
    You can take a domain name that focus your business, also keep it short and eye catchy that people can remember it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marcus Rockey
    Don't be controlled by having the keyword in your domain name.

    Google is a bit more advanced than that and the gains are minimal. Brand and personality are the crucial elements.

    you could have: howtocoloryourhair.com (boring)

    or: curlupanddye.com

    what do you think is best?

    I hope you say the second one.

    Offer quality content and lots of it. Use different platforms for your message. Connect with your audience and know exactly what they are looking for.
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  • Profile picture of the author garveyonweb
    Id Niche > Brainstorming & Google Keywords > online domain name tool to ID availability > done.

    but avoid those horrible hypthens and punctuation etc.
    Develop a brand, I think the best ones are brands tangibly linked to the product/service e.g lendingtree (dot) com. You know instantly what it is.
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