4 Simple Steps to Choosing a Suitable Domain Name

4 Simple Steps to Choosing a Suitable Domain Name

by | Blogging, Choosing a Domain Name, How To Choose The Best Domain Name | 4 comments

When I started blogging in 2012, I struggled to settle on the right domain name. I spent way too much time worrying about making a mistake and choosing the wrong one.

It felt like a big decision because my domain name would represent my brand, but I wasn’t sure where to start.  I decided to go with my name—but my last name was already taken. Instead, I opted for coriwriter.com, and that choice has worked well for me over the years.

If you’re launching a self-hosted blog, one of the first steps is to choose the right domain name. Your domain name is your online address and plays a significant role in defining your brand.

It should reflect your blog’s message, be easy to remember, and help you stand out in a crowded digital space.

In this post, I’ll guide you through four simple steps to help you discover a domain name that’s both relevant to your blog topic and easy to find.

1. Decide on your Blog Niche

 

The first and most crucial step in choosing a domain name is determining what your blog will be about. Without a clear direction, selecting a domain name becomes challenging. The topic of your blog should guide your decision.

Know Your Audience: Understanding who you’re writing for can help you choose a domain that resonates with your target audience. Think about the topics you’ll cover and the value you want to provide to your readers.

Using Your Name: One option is using your own name or a variation of it. This gives you more flexibility in the future, as your topics can evolve over time while still keeping your domain relevant. For example, if you start with a personal blog and later shift to a niche topic like parenting or wellness, your domain name can remain consistent.

Narrow Niche Consideration: On the other hand, if you’re focusing on a specific niche, such as vegetarian cooking, using your name might not be the best approach. A more targeted domain name will help convey your focus clearly to potential readers.

 

2. Keep it short and memorable.

 

When choosing a domain name, simplicity is key. The ideal domain name is typically short and easy to remember. In an ideal world, you would secure a two-word domain name, but given the sheer number of websites online today, this is a rare find.

Challenges with Short Domain Names: It can be difficult to find a short, memorable domain name that’s still available. However, don’t get discouraged if you can’t snag a two-word domain. Many successful blogs today have three-word domain names. For example, a combination of your niche and a creative twist can still work well.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to get creative with abbreviations or word combinations. As a mentor once advised me, enjoy the process and have fun with it.

Your domain name is the first step in building your blog’s brand,
so make sure it feels right for you.

3. Create a Domain and Working Title Combo

 

If you’re struggling to come up with the perfect domain name, consider creating a working title that complements your domain. This is exactly what I did when choosing my domain.

Example: I went with “coriwriter.com,” a shortened version of my first name, and paired it with the title “Blogging With Purpose.”

The combination of a simple domain name with a longer, descriptive title worked well for my blog.

Finding the Right Combination for Your Blog Topic:

Let’s say you want to blog about vegetarian cooking. You could have a long, descriptive title like “The Best Vegetarian Cooking Recipes from Around the World.”

While this title is clear, it’s too long for a domain name. Instead, shorten it to something like “Vegetarian Cooking.” If that’s already taken, you can personalize it by adding your first name or another unique twist. For example: “Cori’s Vegetarian Cooking.”

The title could be: 

  • Title: Cori’s Vegetarian Cooking

  • Tagline: The Best Vegetarian Cooking Recipes From Around the World

  • Domain Name: corisvegetariancooking.com

This way, you’ve got a unique domain name, a descriptive title, and a tagline that communicates what your blog is all about.

4. Choosing the Right Domain Extension: .com, .org, or .net?

 

Once you’ve decided on your domain name, it’s time to choose a domain extension, or “top-level domain” (TLD). The most popular TLDs are .com, .net, and .org. Here’s a breakdown of each:

  • .com: Originally intended for commercial businesses, this is the most widely used and recognized TLD. It’s still the preferred choice for most bloggers, as it’s familiar and easy to remember.

  • .net: This was initially used for networking-related domains but has since become a popular alternative to .com. However, it’s not as universally recognized as .com.

  • .org: This was originally intended for nonprofit organizations. While you can certainly use it for your blog, .org isn’t as commonly used for personal blogs.

What’s the Best Choice? In most cases, .com is still the most popular and recognizable choice. If your desired domain name is already taken with a .com extension, you can consider .net or .org, but always prioritize .com when possible.

Join the conversation

What challenges have you faced if any in selecting your domain name? How did you finally choose the right one for you?