Is Your Domain Name the Missing Key to Online Success?
Table of Content
A domain name is like your business's physical address but on the Internet. The website is the building that houses the business. From the word go, you want to get it right for your business to thrive.
In this blog post, we explore how the domain name affects your online business front. You will also learn how to choose a good domain for your business. Let's set the ball rolling.
Domain Name Affects Buyer Perception
Sometimes the tipping point for someone clicking on a search result or another comes down to the website's domain name.
Not convinced? Take the case of these 2 domains:
Take the case of these two domain names:
- cheapmedicine.com
- healthylife.com
For someone looking up specific information about a certain medicine, they would probably glance off the first option if they notice the domain name.
Although cheapmedicine.com uses the keyword medicine, focusing on cheap can be a red flag and create a negative perception. The second option elicits a sense of health, which is the focus when buying medicine.
That said, you should ensure your choice of words creates a positive impression, conveying trust and reliability to potential users.
The choice of domain extension is also an essential factor in domain name perception. Arguably, .com is by far the most-preferred extension by consumers and businesses. This is because it is widely recognized, trustworthy, and instills a sense of legitimacy. But there are exceptions. For example, you can consider .clinic or .lawyer if you are in healthcare or legal industries.
The choice of a domain name for a business can give you a competitive advantage or disadvantage. So, go for a domain that fosters trust among your target audience.
Domains Indirectly Determine Search Ranking
Does domain name affect ranking? Whether you are a domain investor or SEO expert, you have encountered this question. The simple answer is; it does, but indirectly.
First, your brand domain impression affects the click-through rate. And if you have many impressions and a low click-through rate, it is a signal to search engines that your website doesn't meet searcher intent. So, your pages can be pushed further down the SERPs.
Another way the domain name affects your business website performance is through backlink potential. You will likely get more backlinks if your domain appeals to other website owners. And more quality backlinks mean improved site authority and higher ranking.
Backlink profile and click-through rate are essential website metrics for all businesses. They determine the number of website visitors and the overall visibility of your pages in search engine results. This determines your website's long-term success.
Domain Name Affects Email Reputation
Your domain name appears at the end of your email after the @. Your domain reputation determines whether your emails can be trusted. If internet service providers (ISPs) or email service providers (ESPs) flag it, the deliverability of your emails is affected.
Business domain names involved in spoofing, phishing, and cyberattacks will land emails in spam folders. You could get mistakenly flagged if your domain name is similar enough to those domains. This affects your communication with customers and prospects.
High email deliverability means a better conversion rate and return on investment for your business — make sure you have got a credible domain name.
Domain Name Impacts Business Memorability
Who doesn't want their business to remain at the top of their customers' minds? That is what a memorable brand domain name helps you do. But memorability is a relative term. How do you know your domain name is memorable?
The essential factors in memorability are readability, pronounceability, and simplicity. Readability is the ease or complexity of reading your domain name, while pronounceability is the ease or difficulty of sharing a domain through word of mouth without altering its meaning. For example, combining x and q in a domain name will lower the readability and pronounceability scores. If a name is easy to pronounce, it can stick in the prospects' memory.
Choose a memorable business domain name to make it easier for customers to remember your website address. And enhance the likelihood of them returning to your site and referring you to their circles. All these factors are necessary for business growth.
Domain Name Can Protect Your Intellectual Property
Imagine a situation where you own a brand name but have not registered a similar domain. Malicious individuals can exploit this loophole to divert customers from you. So, registering a domain name for a business is part of securing your intellectual property. Although in itself is not an intellectual property.
If you register a domain name, you can use it as evidence in case of a dispute. Regulators like Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) consider a registered domain name as evidence of your rights to the corresponding intellectual property. In an era when cybersquatting and brand infringement have become rampant, domain registration can save your brand.
You can also grow your domain name to become a trademark. For example, hotels.com uses the domain as a brand name, and they have also trademarked it. In such cases, it helps you secure your domain and avoid infringement on your intellectual property.
In this line, domain registration is a tool you can use to secure your business from infringement. This guarantees business longevity and prevents legal risks, which can be costly.
Domain Name Helps in Brand Positioning and Differentiation
At a glance, a business domain name like seoexpertsindallas.com may look like a good idea. But what happens when you want to expand beyond Dallas and include other digital marketing services? This brand domain can be a setback to your business potential because it is localized and field-specific.
When you are coming up with a domain name, consider the business's future. If you have plans to expand, which is not obvious at times, go for brandable instead of keyword domains. Apart from that, you should not limit your brand to a certain location or demographic.
Furthermore, country code top-level domains can give you an advantage in local business; it is restrictive when you want to go beyond borders. In that case, choosing generic domain extensions like .com, .net, .co, .ai, or .io may be the best option.
How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business
After highlighting how a domain name can affect your business, it will be an injustice not to give ideas on choosing a business domain name. Here are some tips to help you get a suitable domain:
- Align the domain and business name to create a consistent and strong brand identity
- Consider the longevity of the business to avoid location, time, and demographic limitations if needed
- Use generic top-level domains unless you are sure you want to target a specific industry or location
- Use words and phrases that create a positive impression about your business
- Ensure the domain name is memorable by checking simplicity, readability, and pronounceability
A domain name impacts your business's visibility, credibility, and overall success in the digital realm. It also gives you a competitive advantage and establishes your online presence.
Conclusion
In summary, a business domain name affects your business in the following ways:
- It creates a positive or a negative business perception
- Though indirectly, it affects your ranking on search engines
- It can boost or ruin your email reputation
- It helps with business memorability if it is simple and short
- You can use it to secure your intellectual property
- When used well, it can help in brand positioning and differentiation
In short, consider the domain effects on your business's reputation and success. Also, ensure your choice of a domain name is strategic.
There is no better way to get a good domain name than ensuring it has a good standing on the Internet. Bishopi helps you do just that with a comprehensive domain analysis. Whether it is analyzing its age, backlink profile, or SEO, we’ve got your back.