A domain name is essential for the creation of your website and personalized emails. A good choice of domain name can be the key to your success and should therefore be taken very seriously.
LRob will soon be offering domain name registration. In the meantime, we're here to help you set them up properly and make the right choices for your project. This is your chance to take stock and choose the right domain names!
Before delving into the heart of the matter, if you're looking for a high-performance, secure web hosting with real human supportdiscover our accommodation offers at LRob : https://www.lrob.fr/hebergement-web/.
So: which name to choose, which extension to choose, with or without hyphen, what are the pitfalls to avoid and the best practices to apply?
Answers.
Contents
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the human-readable address for a website. It's what you type into your browser, such as example.tld. It generally consists of two parts:
- Visit name (for example : example)
- L'extensionalso known as TLD (Top-Level Domain) as
.com,.en,.netetc.
Visit TLD are managed by entities called registers (or registries in English), like AFNIC for the .en or Verisign for .com. Visit registrars (registrars) are the companies from which you can purchase these domains (such as Gandi, OVH, etc.). At LRob, we don't register domains, but we can advise you objectively.
Once you've got your domain name, you can create as many sub-domains as you like. The most common sub-domain is wwwsuch that www.exemple.tld is a subdomain of example.tld. All you need to do is ensure that your hosting provider is compatible to host these sub-domains, which is the case for web hosting LRob.
1. Check that the name is not already taken by a competitor
First of all, do your research. If a major competitor is already using the name, or something very close to it, this can cause confusion, damage your credibility and even cause legal problems. A tool like whois to check availability. This should be checked as soon as you choose your brand.
Tip: Also do a Google search to see if the name is already very present or associated with another brand.
2. Choose an extension suited to your geographical target
If you're targeting France, choose a .en. For a European audience, the .eu is relevant. If your business is international, the .com remains a safe bet. Regional extensions (such as .bzh for Brittany) can also make sense depending on your audience.
3. Use the right extension for your sector
So-called extensions news or sector-specific URLs display your field of activity:
.shopfor online stores.orgfor associations.techfor tech projects.design,.art,.photo...according to your world
They may be more available than .com and add a touch of originality, while remaining professional.
4. Choose a short domain name
A shorter name is easier to remember, quicker to type, and reduces the risk of error. Try to aim for less than 15 characters if possible. Hyphens should be avoided except in special cases, as they complicate oral communication (e.g.: "mon-tres-joli-site.com").
5. Make sure it's easy to spell
A good test: say the name out loud to someone. If the person doesn't know how to spell it, or makes a mistake, it may be too complex. Avoid puns that are too subtle, numbers that replace letters, or foreign words that are difficult to spell.
6. Think strategic: brand or keyword?
If you're building a strong brand, the name needs to be original and unique. Example: lrob.fr.
If you'd like to position yourself quickly in a sector via natural search engine optimization (SEO), integrate a keyword relevant to the field can be judicious: garage-nantes.fr, photographe-lyon.cometc.
7. Avoid ambiguities and tricky characters
Some letters or combinations can be confusing:
- The uppercase "i" and the lowercase "l" (we know what we're talking about, as LRob is often mistaken for iRob... to the point where we've also reserved the variants with an "i"!).
- The "0" and the "o
- Hard-to-read double and triple letters (such as
assso.com)
Check also that the name does not form an inappropriate word when read in full (the famous "penisland.net" for "Pen Island"...).
8. Secure important domain variants
Even if you only use the .enit may be strategic to also record the .com, .net or .eu so that no one else gets hold of them. You can redirect them to your main site.
This protects your brand and reduces the risk of phishing or spoofing.
9. Inspire confidence with your name and extension
A credible, legible and well-constructed domain name gives you confidence. An extension recognized as .en, .com, .org or .net is often more reassuring than an obscure or dubious TLD.
Names that are too far-fetched, long or unrelated to the business can put off visitors and search engines alike.
10. Check availability on social networks
It's not a mandatory rule, but it's a real plus: if the name you choose is also free on social networks (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.), you ensure brand consistency across all channels. Tools like namecheckr.com are just a click away.
Bonus: test your name with real people
Before finalizing your choice, do a quick test around you or with your target audience. Do people understand the name? Can they remember it after 10 minutes? Can they type it without error? A small survey can avoid big mistakes.
In a nutshell
Choosing the right domain name isn't easy, but it's absolutely essential if you're to lay a solid foundation for your online presence. It's a strategic choice, at once technical, marketing and sometimes emotional.
At LRobwe'll help you with the rest, so just choose secure, fast web hosting designed for WordPress, with real human support.
Need a hand finding the perfect name? Ask us your questionsthat's what we're here for.
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