How To Pick A Domain Name For Your WordPress Website In 2024

Selecting the right domain name is crucial when you create a WordPress website. Your domain name plays a significant role in informing people about the nature of your site and assists search engines in understanding the content you offer. If you're uncertain about how to pick a domain name, there are a few things you can do to ease the process. For example, you can search for suitable keywords to add to your domain name, use a blog name generator for inspiration, and consider what's vital to you in a domain name. 

We'll present simple steps and helpful tools to help you choose a great domain name. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect domain name for your website.

Tips And Ways To Pick A Domain Name

The most stressful thing you may encounter while creating a WordPress website is to choose a suitable domain name. A domain name is the address of your website, which helps the visitors to find the website without going through trouble. It is essential to choose a domain name that represents your website.

Confused between web hosting and domain name? Know in detail in our previous blog.

To help you, we created a complete guide on how to pick a domain name. To fully understand the process, we recommend you should read the article until the end.

1. Domain Name Extensions That Fit Your Business

When choosing a domain name for your business, it's essential to select a suitable extension. The domain extension is the part of your URL that appears after the name of your site. 

The .com extension is considered the most established and credible domain name extension. It is a good fit for every target niche and is recognized globally. Many users will automatically type .com at the end of every website they type, and our smartphone keyboards even have a .com button built-in for easier and quicker typing. For these reasons, it's worth sticking with .com.

Other options are available if you don't want to use a .com extension. Extensions such as .io, .org, .net, .shop, and .online are becoming more popular. Industry-related extensions like .marketer and .technology are also worth considering. You could even use country code top-level domains such as .us (United States of America) or .uk (United Kingdom) if you're targeting a specific location or want your business to be associated with a particular country.

Choosing the right domain extension is a big decision that can impact your website's credibility and relevance. Choose an extension that is trustworthy and relevant to the content of your website.

2. Domain Names Should Contain Target Keywords

Your WordPress custom domain should include keywords relevant to your website and audience. Search engines such as Google and Bing use domain names to identify the purpose of a website. Although URLs only account for a small portion of ranking factors, they can improve search engine rankings when combined with high-quality content and a good user experience.

To choose the right keywords for your WordPress website URL, you can use online tools like Google Keyword Planner to get keyword ideas. It is important to note that the keywords you select for your URL should be relevant to your website and target audience.

Finding an effective domain name that includes your target keyword and is not already in use can be challenging. You will need to be creative in combining your keyword with other words to make your URL stand out. Sometimes, you can find attractive domain names that are up for sale, so consider this option. Investing in a good website name may pay off in the long run.

3. Keep The Domain Name Short

When selecting a domain name for your WordPress website, the users must choose a name that's brief and easy to remember. Lengthy domain names can be hard to recall, and they may cause visitors to make more typing errors. We suggest limiting domain names to under 15 characters to prevent traffic loss. It's important to prioritize a domain name that's easy to spell and remember rather than one full of keywords but difficult to recall.

4. Make The Domain Name Easy To Remember

It's crucial to know how to pick a domain name that's easy to remember. Avoid complicated URLs that could potentially confuse your audience. Instead, opt for a name that's memorable and easy to pronounce. It will help spread the word about your website through word-of-mouth advertising. 

Your domain name doesn't necessarily have to match your business name. The latter is used for identification, branding, and legal purposes, while the former is your website address and can be your DBA name (Doing Business As name). If you use your new domain name to promote your business, it's recommended that you file for a DBA. If your business name is too long, contains special characters or foreign words or is difficult to recall, you should consider using a DBA name.

5. Don't Use Hyphens Or Numbers 

It's advisable to avoid using hyphens while creating a domain name, as it can hurt your reputation. Hyphens can make the domain name appear like spam and cause typos. If the domain name you want was taken -- it's best not to use hyphens as people may forget to include it while typing, ultimately leading them to your competitor's website instead. When creating a domain name, avoid using hyphens.

6. Avoid Double Letters

Avoid using double letters when choosing a domain name. Doing so makes your domain name more exposed to typos, which could lead to a traffic drop. By avoiding double letters, you simplify your domain name but make it more memorable and user-friendly.

7. Get Clever Ideas From Domain Name Generators

Knowing about how to pick a domain name can be a daunting task, especially when you consider there are already over 400 million registered domain names. However, you don't have to spend countless hours searching for that ideal domain name. Several domain name generators can do the heavy lifting for you. These free online tools use your specific keywords to come up with hundreds of creative domain name ideas. One of the oldest and most popular domain name generators is Nameboy, which we highly recommend. Additionally, you can try Godaddy's free Domain Name Generator to expand your options. With these tools, finding a great domain name has never been easier!

8. Act Fast Before Someone Else Grabs It

Every day, people all around the world register numerous new domain names. If you find a domain name, it is essential to act quickly. Think of domain names like real estate properties because many people are looking for good, memorable ones they can buy at a low price now and sell later for a higher price. If you wait too long, someone else might take your idea. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you act fast, especially since domain names are generally affordable. If you change your mind later, you can let the domain name expire.

Where To Pick a Domain Name For Your Website? 

When choosing a domain name for your website, there are various domain registrars where you can purchase and manage your domain. Some popular and reputable domain registrars include:

1. Namecheap: Known for its affordability and user-friendly interface, Namecheap is a popular choice among individuals and businesses for domain registration.
2. GoDaddy: One of the largest and most well-known domain registrars, GoDaddy offers a wide range of services, including domain registration, hosting, and website building tools.
3. Bluehost: While primarily a hosting provider, Bluehost also offers domain registration services. They are known for their reliable hosting and customer support.
4. Google Domains: Google provides a straightforward domain registration service with transparent pricing. It's easy to integrate with other Google services.
5. Domain.com: Offering a variety of domain extensions, Domain.com is a user-friendly registrar with additional services like web hosting and website builders.
6. Name.com: Known for its competitive pricing and user-friendly interface, Name.com provides a range of domain management tools.
7. Hover: Hover focuses on simplicity and transparency in domain registration. They offer a clean interface and excellent customer support.
8. IONOS by 1&1: This hosting and domain registration service provides a variety of services for businesses, including domain registration and website hosting in WordPress.

When picking a domain registrar, consider factors such as pricing, customer support, ease of use, and additional services offered. It's also a good idea to read reviews and check for any hidden fees before making a decision. Once you've chosen a registrar, you can search for available domain names and proceed with the registration process.

Conclusion

Careful consideration of a few essential factors for understanding how to pick a domain name is a must. Firstly, it is advisable to go for a .com extension as it is widely recognized and considered reliable. However, if you need a more specific extension, you may want to consider .io or .org. Another aspect is to include keywords in your domain name to make it easier for people to find your website. While it's essential to be creative and unique, it's equally necessary to keep the name short and memorable so visitors can recall it effortlessly. Avoid using hyphens, numbers, or double letters, as they can make it difficult to read and remember. By following these guidelines and utilizing online tools to brainstorm ideas, you can come up with a perfect domain name that aligns with your website's purpose and appeals to your target audience.

Once you've chosen the perfect domain name, complement it with a premium WordPress theme from reputable providers like VW Themes. With their wide range of beautifully designed and feature-rich themes, you can enhance your website's aesthetics and functionality, making it a truly standout presence on the web.