Creating A URL And Domain Name That Is Unforgettable
By: Sandi Krakowski
When you make the choice to start your own company website one of the first things you'll need to do is create a URL for your business. This is where you'll send people and how you will be found through the search engines.
The goal is simple. Come up with something that is easy to remember, easy to spell and easy to find. It can be keyword rich but it doesn't necessarily have to be. Better to be simple to spell and easy to remember than something that is keyword rich that most people can't remember and always forget how in the world it is spelled.
There are a few secret tips for selecting a good URL name that are very significant when it comes to creating a domain. This will help you to be sure that you make the best choice possible.
1. Pick a name that reflects you, your message or your product. Many times people pick their name. My personal opinion on this is that if you are not a household name, are not in several magazines simultaneously and people aren't seeing your name all over the place on multiple channels it's not likely that starting out with your name is the best choice.
When I built a business that generated over a million dollars in Network Marketing and Direct Sales I eventually did use my name as my domain URL. But this was only after my face was plastered on the cover of several magazines, was on a radio show, was being spread throughout the industry and had created some serious ripples. Prior to that it wasn't as significant.
A Real Change is what I desired in my life. It became my mission and passion for everyone I encountered. It stuck. We're using it today. 
It's easy to remember, easy to spell and works well on all channels.
It's easy to remember, easy to spell and works well on all channels.2. Pick a URL that is easy to spell. Years ago mis-spellings of names was used quite often to swipe traffic away from other sites. While I'm not saying this is ethical I am saying if you build a business that has enormous potential you don't want to lose customers or give your business clients away simply because of a mis-spelling.
For example, anything with a "Double Vowel" could be hazardous to your business. Unless it's super unique, don't use it. People will most likely mis-spell it. Even the word misspell would be a challenge as a URL because people would forget an "s" or add an extra one by accident.
Don't choose hyphens. This is an outdated practice and it's not looked upon favorably by Google or other search engines. Just because you put a – between two words, your name or a double vowel, this isn't going to help. Stay away from hyphenated URL's.
My point of reference is looking at some of the best brands online. They aren't using hyphens so neither should we.
3. Don't use a word that is uncommon. Inner Resistance might seem unique to you but it's not the common term for Endurance. Fortitude or Forthright might be in your vocabulary but when you do a keyword research they're not common words used in searches.
To sustain is to be long lasting and to endure. The words "lasts forever" or "long lasting" or "sustenance" are not going to make good URL's. Even if they are words you use allot in your writing and in your Tag Line. MakeThingsLast.com would be remembered longer than "ThingsThatLastForever.com. Say the URL out loud when you're considering it. If it takes a few seconds or you even hear a slight tongue twist, forget it.
Say the URL out loud and then begin to spell the beginning. Does this work? For example when we tell people we can be found at www dot a real change dot com, we'll oftentimes say that it's www dot a r e a l change dot com. Spelling out real. How does the URL you've come up with sound when spelled out or said aloud?
4. DO NOT take a big brand and think you'll create a spawn off without trouble. You have no time for lawsuits, headaches and legal battles. Just because you like the word Zappos doesn't mean you should create a website that is wezappo.com or even Zappola.com. Sure, this is a silly example but you get what I mean. The Best Selling Book "Delivering Happiness" could inspire you but don't go using the words MyDeliveringHappinessStory.com as your URL. That's a trademarked name. Don't mess with it.
Stay clear of trademarks. Stay on the look out for copyrighted material. Neither make good domain names.
Pick a domain name that reflects you but don't be so overly descriptive that someone would easily misunderstand what you do. If you work at home that doesn't mean that the words 'at home' have to be in your URL. You might be misinterpreted and show up on searches that don't have anything to do with what you do or offer.
Be sure that your domain reflects your company name. Ideally, they should be the same.
Avoid .org if you are a business. This is used by non-profit organizations. Don't use .biz and preferably not even .net. When using .net this is typically used by sites that are techie or internet related. The most common extension today is still .com. Unless there is something very unique in your branding and your company name don't try to be cute, unique or different. It will backfire.
Shorter is better. Remember that people need to be able to remember you. This is why for many of our names won't work as our URL. If it's easy to find you, spell your URL and get to your site this can go a long way towards bringing in organic traffic.
Choose the right domain. One you'll be proud of for years to come. Choose one that reflects you well. Your results in marketing yourself online will get off to the best start with a domain name that is easy to remember and easy to spell.
Sandi Krakowski is a Mompreneur, Coach, Strategist & Mentor, Online Marketing Expert, Speaker, Writer, Copywriter. Mindset & Marketing For Small Biz Owners. Her unique talent is as a "Back To Basics Step By Step Business" expert who currently serves more than 150,000 clients in over 136 countries. Her systems help the average business owner as well as big corporations get extra-ordinary results quickly.
Get your FREE copy of Sandi's NEW BOOK-"Read Their Mind: How To Hear What The Marketplace Wants & Build A Huge Business" to discover the secrets that will help you get to your idea clients, build amazing relationships and learn to sell anything quickly! Click here to order your copy NOW!
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmm. I wanted dailyabundance.com but Trump owns it. Yes, that Trump. So, I chose .net. I didn't know .net was techie. I don't think I can change now. :-/
I just love this stuff…
I like that part about not using difficult to spell names. Sometime you have to say your website over the phone and the easier to spell the better.
Don
http://donhillonline.com
I already own http://www.melaniehevel.com and http://www.coachhevel.com. Should I purchase yet another domain, or just move forward with one of these two? I’d appreciate anybody’s thoughts on the matter.
This is some amazing information. Thanks Sandi!!!!
Great post Sandi. Wish I would have read it before choosing my URL. But will definitely be helpful when getting clients setup.
Hi.
I hope I am off to a good start. I used my name and my interest. I hope it is not too long. I am Canadian so I used .ca Will this be a problem. Should I change it. I tell many many people about the good work you do. Being happy and fit is my goal everyday.
Vince Nash
“Happiness comes into our lives through doors we open”.
Vince Nash
I wonder about using geographical terms along with the term you want, to get a domain name. For instance, a lot of great & simple domain names were taken many years ago, such as money.com, fitness.com, health.com… pretty much anything like that. But if you add something to it like “headwaters” or “threerivers” or “biglake” or “bigpine” or “threecities”… you get the idea – then usually you end up with kind of a neat domain name that nobody has taken yet such as headwatersmoney.com. Is this sort of thing a good or bad idea?
I purchased a new domain name just about two weeks ago and there is a hyphen in it. It is http://www.Back-Link-ing.com. Well there is not much I can do about that situation now.
However I sure don’t have to make the same mistake again in the future. Thank you so much Sandie. I had no idea that using a hyphen in a domain name had any sort of significance.
All the best,
Shana Jahsinta Walters.
Wow… This is free info? Thank you Sandi for your expertise and your generosity. This is deep stuff and yet you make it so simple. Thank you. This is going to help revolutionize my year! Just in time for my domain renewal!
Thanks for going more in depth about how to choose a url name. I just used my first and last name because that is what I have heard from others before about branding yourself. Using your name is easier for people to remember and locate. I didn’t think about how some names are harder to spell or too long, though. I guess that would be something to think about.
Only if you are focusing on local business only. Google has some amazing free tools for that you might want to check into.
Sandi
Hi!
I’d keep one of these and move forward
Sandi
Okay Sandi! Great! Thank you so much!
Even though I just bought a new domain name [www.ActivateYourSpiritRichLife.com], I’ll make the change to [.aSpiritRichLife.com]. It felt so right after reading this lesson. I think it fits the criteria that Sandy listed above.
It’s short [check]
Easy to spell [check] … Easy to remember [check]… Easy to pronounce [check]… Easy to find[check] and… it speaks to the body of my work[check].
Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.
AG
What about numbers in a domain name? Will that affect google rankings? Thanks Sandi
So I am launching a new marketing campaign, bringing my businesses under one roof and having a website that better serves my client base better and alerts people to the fact that I am more than a home-based business, I have many services I would love to offer. Also, I wanted to produce more curiosity and inspire people without giving away all the intrigue. So I chose the theme of “Curious?” and named my website http://www.get-curious.com because I really didn’t like the other available options and getcurious.com was already taken. Sandi, is the hyphen thing a make it or break it? Do I need to change it now? Thank you so much, I jumped the gun a little I guess, but I swear I’m teachable! Teach me to walk, run, fly!
Hello Sandi
This is the website that I have been using. It was given to me by the company, do you thing I need to change it and get another domain.
I wouldn’t use the hyphen, no.
Sandi
Off to a very slow start, had to take care of my sick family. Going back to Day #1 and so on to get myself back on track and focus. The free information is wonderful and very detailed oriented but with having two young children still at home (three gown and away), a military spouse and a two hour commute, I have to make time at night and working on advising my family this is my business time and not just I am in the office come on in and start talking and I need your attention yesterday.
Hi Sandi Thank you for this very helpful email. I am about to purchase a new domain and this have been most helpful. Thank you again!!!
I am debating on what to use for a name…I had thought about using my name. I am relatively new in the writing market (just over a year). I have varied interests, so a niche site most likely wouldn’t work well for me. I self-published my first book recently, and would like to showcase it. I also have Book #2 in the works, but it is not in the same field as the first. Would using my name in this case be the better route?
One step forward is a journey to SUCCESS.
this is Derek Hill former NFL football player now starting my own business REAL FITNESS professional Sports and Fitness Trainer you helped me greatly and when im back on top of the throne youll be the first to know. thank you
WOO HOO!!!!! That’s awesome Derek!
Keep up the good work and let me know if I can help with anything at all!
Sandi
Such great information delivered in an easy to read fashion and most importantly with alot of joy. Thanks Sandi, its the joy of what you do that draws me. I have two sites now @www.joaniemcmahon.com and @www.naturalhealthbusiness.com.
I am just about to launch another site called “understandlawofattraction” because I am a psychologist/buisness woman/teacher and writer with a passion for understanding and fine tuning law of attraction. Do you think it is too long?
I am really glad I found YOU. Joanie
Here is a question I’ve been wondering about. When I first got into MLM, I chose a name for my company website, http://www.miabellacandlesite.com because I really didn’t know much about these things. The name is expiring in July and I’m thinking perhaps I should change it to something more in line with working at home instead of the product. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks! I just found your site and am intrugued!
Hi!! Sandi everything is so new to me. I am a school counselor, all i want is to have an extra income for my family since my husband have no job. Honestly , I don’t know if this is would really work for me, so i can better provide for my family. i decided to choose url name myfriendlycounselo.com,is that a good choice?
please help conceptualize this things ….
Sandi,
I appreciate your solid advice! I’m using my name for my Thesis blog: http://georgezapo.com
However, I see your point regarding choosing a domain URL other than your name since people might not be familiar with you. It’s worth considering. On the other hand, when signing up in social media networks, like Facebook and Twitter, etc., we should use our own name in order to begin branding ourselves. Wouldn’t you agree? Your advice is well taken! Thanks, again!
Hi Sandi,
You were referred by good friend who is a loyal follower of yours and now is a very good blogger. Just recently retired from corporate world and is now entertaining the idea of doing my tax consultancy online. Hope to read more of your online courses for my quick e-learning. Best…
Great post Sandi, always best to start your business on a solid foundation. Getting a good domain name is definitely important. Thanks for the value you provided here.
Hi Sandi, I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge because with out it I would be a lost cost. Again thank you ,its going a long way with me.
I have choosing url http://www.solidknowledge.com do u think that will work
I have had a Blogger blog for quite a while now, just for my own personal journal. Now I want to start a business and a site and make some money. My blog title is: Grandma Nina. The business I want to start is a Simple Guide to Happiness for Women Over 50. I was even thinking of going with “Grandma Nina’s Simple Guide to Happiness for Women Over 50″. But after reading your post above I can understand that this would be way too long. I really appreciate your great advice on going with Wordpress for a business. Do I go first to Go Daddy to set up the name or should I just go straight to Wordpress and they will guide me through the domain name? I’m now thinking of “Simply Happy”. Or is that too short?
Nina, keep the long blog title but pick a shorter URL like “HappyOver50.com” or “50andHappy.com
Does that help?
Sandi
Yes, it does! Thanks so much. Love your style of getting right to the issues fast! Appreciate your approach of telling us what time it is and not all the details on how the watch was made!
I picked out my main skill and used a bit of word play – explainedwell.com
I thought that so much better than “well explained” as it gives it chance for a double meaning!
Isn’t Sandi great! As a NLP practitioner I am expected to model myself on the best and I just love her natural precence while explaining things well. It has given me the confidence to just be me!
Take care, Steven
“helping you enjoy success”
i’m thinking about the name of my web site. this is very helpful info. thanks Sandi.
dale
Great information Sandi. Thank you for sharing it. Much appreciated.
Tamela
I chose tanya4fitness.com to redirect to my Beachbody page.. I thought my Beachbody link was very long and couldn’t come up with anything better that hadn’t been taken. Until I can sit down and put a website together, all I can do is redirect to the Beachbody page. Is the name ok since it has my name in it or should in the future when I renew think of something else?
Yes that’s great Tanya!
Sandi
Thanks for posting this now, Sandi. I’m in the process of starting a new online business and I need to choose a domain name. Not an easy process. I know I don’t want my name on it because I hope to have the option of selling it when I’m ready to retire. The obvious choices are all taken, but this gives me more to think about as I expand my search. The only things I’m set on are that it will be dot-com and be simple.
Hi Sandi
Thank you for the info so far has been helpful one of your student Scott Manesis told me about your class so far seem interesting waiting for more. Also will be reading your book tonight Read There Mind a good titled for the book. I have to web sites wish had you before the 1st site http://www.kollectorschoiceprecioustreasures.com lost the original site do to another internet provider. I did what some one said waited for the name to come back and have the original web site name back http://www.kollectorschoice.com. I was one of those who had everything with one provider no-more! Owning the web site name is the only way to go.
Thank you
Marie Jewell
Sandi,
Just purchased http://www.StoneWritingServices.com after reading this article! I can’t wait to implement the rest of the 30-day program to build my website for helping students build better essays and presentations. Between you and Dave Ramsey and a whole lot of prayer, I’m convinced that this is my calling. What do you think of the domain name? I know I used my name, but it’s still simple and easy to spell/remember, and distinguishes me from other websites doing the same thing.
Thanks for everything, Sandi!
In His love,
Amanda Stone
That’s great Amanda! Keep up the good work!
Hi Sandi,
Just started out with my very first domain. Do you think this is okay? I am on my way to following your 30-day challenge. I hope I will earn soon with this online marketing business. Still do not know what to do with the site yet but I’m very excited with whatever I get published. I’m thankful to have people like you who’s willing to share their knowledge and ideas to newbies like me. Thank you so much!!!
Much Thanks,
Karen
I was thinking of http://www.jamesbondhealthandfitness.com after all my real name is James Bond and I am a personal trainer!
Hi Sandi, I am totally new to blogging. When I get my own URL, do I connect it to my working website and, will that help me in getting prospects to my Network Marketing Business?
I use my name for my photography blog. Initially, I was starting a photography business (Kimberly Gauthier Photography) and now I write a photography blog. I would love to get a URL that reflects my blog, but the one I want is taken. I’m still working on it.
I’m hoping that the history that I’ve built with my current URL will make it so people can find me no matter what. How many people actually type in a URL these days? That being said, if I had the opportunity to capture the name I want, I’d leap!
Hi Sandi!
This is very practical and straightforward. I had a wordpress site set up around the launch of my book and with the future in mind. I have always sensed that my url (my name) was premature yet I have yet to come up with a name that applies to your guidelines above.
Whilst I am still intent on working on this, can I replace my domain name and keep all the content the same? I just know this is something I will have to do I just do not know how. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you and…
Be Awesome!
Richard