Running a business? Get ready for a bumpy ride! Mistakes are just part of the adventure, whether you’re a brand-new startup or a well-established company.
You might end up hiring someone who’s not the right fit, launching a product that just doesn’t click with your audience, or teaming up with a partner who doesn’t meet your expectations. But guess what? All these hiccups actually come with some silver linings—they can teach you valuable lessons and help spark new ideas.
Now, while some blunders are simply part of the game, there’s one spot where you definitely want to steer clear of unnecessary risks: your domain name! Why are domains a big deal? Think of your domain name as your business’s online calling card. It’s usually the first thing people notice when they stumble upon your company on the internet. And we all know how crucial first impressions are!
A catchy and memorable domain name makes it easier for people to find you and build trust in your brand. On the flip side, a bland or confusing domain can send potential customers straight to your rivals. So, nail that domain name and give your brand the best chance to shine!
Why is it Dangerous to Choose a Wrong Domain Name?
When your dream domain feels just out of reach, it’s tempting to think a little tweak will do the trick. You might think, “Why not add an extra word, switch to a different extension, or throw in a dash?” You might even convince yourself it doesn’t really matter.
After all, look at big names like Tesla, Slack, and Close! They didn’t kick things off with their perfect domain names. Tesla started with TeslaMotors.com, Slack rolled out with SlackHQ.com, and Close went with Close.io. And hey, they all did just fine, right? So why not grab something similar and save a few bucks?
Sure, it’s true that a fantastic domain name won’t turn a bad product into a winner, and success takes a lot of hard work and smart ideas. But these savvy companies knew that grabbing their domain was super important as they grew.
Mistakes You Should Avoid When Choosing a Domain Name
Skimping on your domain name might save you some cash at the beginning, but it could cost you a lot more in the long run—more than what you would’ve spent on that perfect domain from the start. So think twice before settling; your brand deserves the best. Look out for these avoidable mistakes when creating your brand website.
Try Not to Use Numbers
Steering clear of using “2” instead of “to” or “4” instead of “for” is a smart move! You might think it’s clever to throw in those numbers, but most folks will just end up confused about what you really meant when you registered your domain. Imagine their frustration when they’re trying to visit your website but can’t figure out the right address!
And this goes for any numbers, not just when you’re swapping them for words. Should visitors spell out the word or type the number? If they guess wrong, they might land on a totally different site or see an error message popping up in their browser. Yikes!
So, save the numbers for when they’re actually part of a brand or event name, like str8.com or worldcup2020.com. If it’s super clear, go for it! Otherwise, keep your domain easy to remember and type; your visitors will thank you!
Avoid Unnecessary Hyphens
When people hear your domain and it has two or more words, they’ll probably just slam those words together without thinking about hyphens. Using hyphens is a bit like bringing numbers into the mix—now your visitors have to guess if they should add one and where! If they don’t hit the right address on the first try, chances are they won’t bother to check your site again. Let’s face it, most folks don’t think to throw in hyphens when typing out a web address.
You should only use hyphens if they’re part of your brand name and it’s super clear that a hyphen belongs there. If you can swing it, consider grabbing both versions of the domain—one with a hyphen and one without—if they’re available. You can then redirect the hyphenated one to the non-hyphenated address. Just a friendly tip: don’t register a hyphenated name that’s identical to one you don’t already own without a hyphen. Keep it simple and let your visitors find you easily!
Steer Clear of Trademarks
Here’s something really important to keep in mind when you’re on the hunt for the perfect domain name: even if you think the words you choose are very commonplace, they could actually be trademarked by someone else! If so, the company that owns the trademark can attack you and take your domain.
When you register a domain, all companies that are part of ICANN (that’s the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, in case you’re wondering) follow the same domain name dispute resolution policy (or UDRP for short). By registering with a domain registrar, you agree to this policy. So while registering a trademarked domain is a bit of a mixed bag, it’s worth noting that there are people who can do this on purpose, and that could land you in trouble.
If the trademark owner decides they don’t like your domain name, they can complain, and things can get messy. It’s like a legitimate game of tug of war. And it can get tricky quickly!
Now, while country-code Top-Level Domains (like .uk or .ca) aren’t directly managed by ICANN, a lot of local registries have similar rules. This helps keep people from snagging domains in bad faith. If your domain was registered before someone claimed the trademark, you might have a shot at fighting any legal claims!
So, to keep things smooth and avoid any legal drama, make sure to do a little digging and check that the words you want for your domain aren’t already trademarked. If you want to save time and maybe even a chunk of cash, consider hiring a trademark attorney to help you out. It’ll be well worth it to steer clear of any courtroom battles over your domain!
Use Simple Words
You might think that choosing a domain name is just a small detail, but trust me, it can make a big difference in how many visitors show up at your virtual door! If your domain name is tricky to spell, people might have a tough time remembering it. Imagine someone trying to tell their friends about your awesome site but stumbling over the spelling—oops! Even if they do remember it, they might accidentally type it wrong in their web browser. And guess what? Instead of landing on your fantastic site, they could end up lost on a totally different one. Bummer!
So, how do you avoid all this confusion? Keep things simple! Pick a domain name that’s easy to remember and a breeze to spell. When it’s straightforward, folks will find your site in no time, and that’s not just good for them; it’s also great for you! A catchy and clear domain can boost your website traffic and even help with how high you rank on search engines. So, let’s make it fun and easy for everyone to find you online!
Do Your Research
There are some sketchy SEO companies lurking around, and not all the “best practices” they recommend work as well as they claim. Just think back to ten years ago, before Google rolled out its Penguin and Panda updates—SEO was like the Wild West! The only rule was whether a strategy worked that day, no questions asked.
During that time, many SEOs and website owners went for link quantity over quality, and guess what? Thousands of domain names were taken down as a result! Google even says that bad links shouldn’t carry over when a domain changes hands. Crazy, right?
So, if you’re thinking about buying a domain, do your homework first! You can check out important backlinks using tools like Ahrefs, Moz, SEMrush, or Majestic. Many of these tools offer free or low-cost trials, so it’s super easy to dive in. Before launching a big online project, checking those links is a smart move!
Don’t Forget About Your Previous Domains
So, let’s talk about mistakes, but not just the ones that trip you up—let’s dive into the missed opportunities that can really hold you back! If you’ve got a shiny new domain that’s never seen the internet before, you’re sitting on a goldmine! Just think about it: with that blank slate, you have full control and a ton of advantages. It’s like being handed the keys to a brand-new amusement park; you can design and build it just the way you want!
But hold on a minute! If you decide to buy a domain with some history—one that’s been kicking around the web for a while—you definitely want to cash in on that backstory. Now, Google may not officially admit it, but trust us: older domains come with a leg up in search ranking. They’re often easier to get noticed by search engines compared to those fresh-out-of-the-box domains. It’s like having a map to a treasure chest that others are still searching for!
Now, here’s the deal—just like buying a home, a domain with history can have its ups and downs. It might come with some fantastic backlinks, great content, and a solid social media presence. Or, it could have some questionable links and cringy content lurking around. It’s all part of the package! Just picture it: you might find an incredible fixer-upper with character, much like a vintage home. Sure, a brand-new house might sound appealing, but who wants to deal with all the unknowns and potential headaches?
If you dig a little deeper, you could discover those charming, well-established elements that make a historic home special. Think about the solid foundation, the unique quirks, and maybe even a few old trees in the yard! The same goes for a domain with history: there are hidden gems waiting to be uncovered, and with a little TLC, it could turn into something amazing.
So, whether you’re leaning toward a brand-new domain or one with a past, remember to seize those opportunities. Every choice can lead to something exciting—so go ahead and make the most of it.
Be Sure it’s Not Related to Other Domains
Many businesses make the mistake of choosing a domain name that is too close to a competitor’s. For example, two companies in the same sector might end up with similar-sounding “.com” names. This can be confusing to customers. Imagine them trying to remember the websites they visited! This may seem like a clever way to get noticed, but it can actually hurt your brand and leave customers scratching their heads.
Additionally, if there are too many similar domain names search engines can have trouble figuring out which sites best match what people are looking for. That’s why it’s so important to choose a domain name that’s distinctive and easy to remember. Avoid common spelling mistakes or shortcuts. This is because it will confuse customers and undermine your branding efforts.
Now imagine this: You’re launching your brand new website, and suddenly your phone starts buzzing with several emails. Your website traffic also skyrockets! But then, it turns out that all the buzz was because people mistook you for another business with a similar name. That’s not the kind of attention you want!
Final Thoughts
Mistakes happen when you’re running a business, but picking the wrong domain name doesn’t have to be one of them! Take a tip from successful entrepreneurs who treat their domain names like precious gems in their business plan.
Your domain name is super important—it can help you grow, earn trust, and is often worth a lot more than what you pay for it.
Sure, it might feel clever to go for a cheap domain name, but think about how much it could hurt your brand and sales in the long run. Choosing a top-notch domain name is a smart move that can really pay off!
