Choosing the right domain name is easy if you’ve got all your ducks in a row
A domain name serves as the online identity for businesses, organisations, and individuals alike in today’s digital environment. Users use domains to access websites and a domain name’s impact on branding shouldn’t be underestimated. How to choose domain names requires more than just technical considerations.
We’ll delve into the psychology of choosing a name and give you tips on creating one that will not only make sense but also be easy for your new and current customers to remember.
If you are starting a new business, this should be one of the first things you consider before finalising the name of your business.
Domain name psychology
In order to understand the psychology of domain names, we investigate how cognitive processes and associations impact user perception. Here are a few essential considerations:
- Memorability: As humans have limited working memories, memorable domain names increase chances of recall – for instance, “Amazon.com” stands out as memorable yet conveys its purpose effectively.
- Perceived Trustworthiness: Users subconsciously associate certain domain extensions with credibility; research shows that “.com” domains are more trustworthy than other extensions. However, in New Zealand .co.nz is the most trusted extension. It indicates that the company is New Zealand owned. This is particularly of interest in e-commerce websites. As New Zealand is a fair distance from the rest of the world, .co.nz or .nz indicates there are not likely to be excessive delivery or return fees. If you choose a .com extension it’s a good idea to have .co.nz for promotion within NZ. You can in fact have as many domain extensions as you’d like redirecting back to your website.
- Brand Association: Selecting an effective domain name can evoke emotions and reflect a brand’s identity in an immediate manner – for instance, “explore.com,” conveying an instantly exciting sense of adventure and outdoor exploration is just an example.
How to choose domain names
Now that we understand how psychological influences play into domain name selection, let us discover how we can apply this knowledge when choosing our own domain names:
- Consistency With Brand: Make sure the domain name aligns with your messaging, values, and target audience – for instance, if you run a sustainable fashion label, then something like EcoStyle.com might resonate well.
- Emotional Appeal: Consider how the domain name you select can evoke positive associations for individuals seeking happiness and fulfillment in life. A domain such as JoyfulLiving.com would make a powerful emotional statement about that experience!
- Language and Pronunciation: When selecting your domain name, opt for something easy for users to spell and pronounce; avoid long or difficult-to-pronounce words, as these could pose barriers for recall and accessibility purposes.
Strategies for selecting an appealing domain name
Consider these strategies when choosing an appealing domain name:
- Keyword Integration: When considering domain name options that reflect your industry or niche, include relevant keywords that describe it or reflect what expertise your offering represents – for instance, if offering yoga classes in your area, “YogaMastery.com” would convey clearly how specialised that offering is. Use Atom to incorporate your target keyword.
- Keep It Short and Succinct: For maximum effectiveness, keep your domain name short and straightforward to type, memorable and shareable – think “Nike.com” and “Apple.com” as examples for inspiration!
- Unique and Memorable Domain Names: Set yourself apart by selecting a distinctive and unforgettable domain name such as Etsy.com as an example.
What to avoid when selecting a domain name
Some things can make a domain name more difficult to remember. It’s best to avoid the following if you can.
- Numbers.
- Hyphens.
- Symbols
- Difficult to spell words.
- Homophones – this is when two or more words have the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, for example be and bee.
- Very long domain.
It’s easy to choose domain names once you know how
Generating an engaging domain name requires an in-depth knowledge of human psychology. By considering factors like memorability, perceived trustworthiness, and brand association, we can create web addresses that captivate and engage our target audiences.
Applying principles of psychology to our selection process enables us to establish strong online presences while strengthening brand perception and increasing user engagement – taking time out for research, brainstorming, and choosing domain names that reflect brand values while connecting with your target market is the key to online success!
Get all your ducks in a row before starting a new business
It’s a great idea to take your domain name into account when selecting the name of a new business. Before you decide and settle on your new name why not check to see if that domain name is able to be purchased? At Woodswork we are often asked to check on what domain names are available. It can be disappointing when a name is already taken. You can easily check out what is available by searching on any domain depository such as Crazy Domains or Freeparking.
It’s much easier to plan your business name around a secured domain name than the other way around.
If you need a hand, get in touch. Woodswork Web are always happy to help.