How to buy a website name

Picking a name and registering a domain is a mandatory step when launching your own site. We have selected recommendations that will help you not to make a mistake with the identifier and attract more traffic. We will also tell you how to buy a website name. The tips are universal, they will suit both owners of business platforms, information resources or online shops.

Every site has its IP, which indicates the actual location of the server. This information is needed for devices to locate and retrieve information (from images to HTML files) and further display a particular page. But IP is represented as a numeric identifier, which is difficult for the user to remember. In addition, it can be not only static but also dynamic. Therefore, each site is assigned a domain, which is the name of the platform.

It can be compared to an address, while IP can be analogously called coordinates. The user enters a domain into the browser bar to get to a particular site, DNS translates it into an IP address and then a request is generated to the server to display the page in the browser.
You can buy a domain yourself or through Web Development services.

To understand the classification, first of all, we need to understand the structure of domains. A website address consists of two parts: Top-level & Second-level. For example, on the site “qqqqq.com” “qqqqq” is an SLD and “com” is a TLD. Each of these parts comes in different types. These are important criteria when choosing your domain.

Top-level domains

TLDs are necessary to classify and standardise Internet resources. Depending on the type, it is possible to locate the site or understand whether it belongs to a commercial organisation or not. There are already more than 1,500+ variants. The main types are considered in the table.

Second-level domains

SLD is a distinct website name that belongs to a specific domain zone. Second-level domains are registered through special companies, for example:

• GoDaddy;
• Bluehost.

SLDs are unique and can have different structures. You make up that part yourself. SLDs can reflect the type of organisation, a particular site topic, or its country of origin.

Choosing a domain is an important step, as it is the one that visitors will see in the address bar of the site. It should correspond to the theme of the platform. Also, it should also be easy to remember. Below are the main recommendations for choosing a name.

Make it brandable

A domain name can help promote your brand and create a certain image. A personalised approach is important. Then it will be easier for the visitor to find and remember your site. After all, its SLD will be associated with the brand. For example, Nike’s website is nike.com. Users often choose the sites of shops of well-known brands that have a good reputation.

Choose the right domain extension

The most popular are variants of domains with well-known TLDs. So in the TOP:

• com;
• org;
• net.

First of all, it is better to consider these domains, as they cause more trust among visitors. Whereas little-known TLDs are often associated with low-quality sites. But the disadvantage of such TLDs – they are often busy. Before buying a domain you need to see what your competitors are with the same SLD, but a different TLD. Since some of the potential customers may confuse the sites.

Domain length

Choosing long titles is not a good decision. We recommend sticking to the principle of brevity. For example, up to 13-15 characters. But this does not directly affect the ranking of the site. Only indirectly. Let’s look at the main reasons for the impact:

• Easier to remember. So it’s user-friendly;
• There’s less risk of typos when users search for the platform;
• According to statistics, short names have a higher click-through rate (CTR). This affects the ranking of the site by search engines;
• Easier to use for advertising purposes. For example, it’s simpler to use on banners;
• More clearly reflect the brand;
• That looks more credible.

Make it memorable

Recommendations from friends and users online, and mentions in advertisements are one of the main sources of attracting traffic to the site. Therefore, the name should be simple to remember. This will reduce the risk that a potential client will confuse the site and go to a competitor. The most memorable domains usually combine such attributes:

• Simplicity and brevity;
• Unique and different from other names;
• Association with the theme of the site or a specific brand.

Therefore, names that are difficult to pronounce are a bad option. Before choosing, it is also worth pronouncing the name to assess its ease of pronunciation and perception.

Don’t use numbers and hyphens

It is not recommended to use additional symbols and numbers. This makes names less memorable and perceive. It also increases the risk that the visitor will make a mistake when searching for the site. This will reduce potential traffic to the site.

Check for trademark infringement

Using someone else’s trademark in a domain name will lead to legal and reputational problems. The owner of the website may be sued and fined. Also in court, the owner of the brand whose trademark was used can demand compensation and transfer of the site to him. In order not to make a mistake, you need to check already existing trademarks. Sites such as:

• WIPO – database of international trademarks;
• EUIPO & USPTO – registered trademarks in Europe and the USA.

Another handy tool is the Trademark Electronic Search System, which can be used on the USPTO website.

Protect your domain name for the future

When choosing an SLD, it is worth considering that this name will be used for a long time. Therefore, it is not recommended to use a specific year, for example, the launch of the site. It is also necessary to assess at once, whether the functionality will be expanded. If a specific business niche is used in the name, and other services are added in the future, it may negatively affect the perception of your domain.

Use a domain name generator

Special programmes can help you come up with a good name. You need to enter keywords or features of your brand into the generator. It offers several options. Popular programmes:

• Panabee;
• NameMesh;
• Bust a Name;
• Nameboy.

These generators can also check the database of already existing domains. This will help to avoid matches.

The next step after choosing a name is to purchase it. This can be done through a registrar. Below we will tell you how to buy website name quickly and safely.

Choose a reliable domain registrar

There are several factors to consider when choosing a registrar. It should have a good reputation, so it is better to study reviews. Reliability and safety are confirmed in these ways:

• Accreditation with the international organisation ICANN;
• WHOIS protection support. This will ensure confidentiality.

The terms and conditions should be clearly and simply stated on the website. Also, good registrars immediately inform you how much does it cost to buy a website name.

Check domain availability

You need to make sure that the domain name is not taken. There are various tools for this purpose. See the table for details.

Pre-checking on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter is important too. If you use services such as Namecheckr, Namechk or KnowEm, you will avoid future claims/fines for using other people’s brands and you won’t have a traffic churn due to such a mistake.

Select a domain name

It’s time to make a decision. We hope our recommendations have been helpful. But at the same time bear in mind these nuances:

• Do not stop exclusively on 1 option. This is not always possible. Your best variant may be occupied. We recommend thinking of 5-10 options;
• A busy option doesn’t always mean you are obliged to give up your choice. If this site is not active, you can try emailing the owner. A re-buy is possible;
• Sometimes you can also look up the terms and conditions of subscribing someone else’s name on your own. If it is about to expire and the site is inactive, you can wait it out;
• If the name is not free, then try different extensions: “org”, “com”, “net” and others. Sometimes it’s better to leave the main part (SLD) unchanged if it fits your brand exactly but take a less common extension.

Buy a domain name and finalize its registration

Purchase the selected name at set prices. If you do this through the Digital Marketing Agency Voll our consultants will answer your questions in detail and help you make your purchase.

Check the ownership of your new domain

This step is necessary to get full access to the domain settings. Also, once ownership is confirmed, you can integrate your domain with analytics services and other platforms. After that, you can create a corporate email that will be associated with the domain. Overall, this step increases security and allows you to obtain SSL certificates.