Domain names are the foundation of any SEO efforts. They are what potential web users see when they search for your company or brand name online. Choosing the right domain name is essential to improve your results on search engines.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a domain name. In this post, we will focus on specific considerations for SEO when picking a domain name.
1. Choose a TLD (Top-level Domain). The first thing to consider when picking an SEO-specific domain is the TLD. A good TLD for SEO is .com, .net, or .org. These are the most common, and they are the most likely to be searched by users. However, if you have a more specific name in mind, you can always look for a TLD that matches your branding goals.
Related: Domain Influence on SEO
2. Keywords. Make sure the domain name is relevant to your business and target audience. The best way to achieve this is to use a keyword research tool. It will show you the most popular keywords for your chosen TLD, and other related keywords. However, you want to ensure that your keyword is not too broad. If you are selling a product, for instance, do not choose a domain name like “sales.” Try to choose a domain name that is related to your business. For example, if you are a restaurant, you might want to choose a domain name like chow.com or restaurant.com. Do not be afraid to experiment with different keyword combinations and variations of your top picks.
Related: Keyword Research: Best Online Practices for Success
3. Avoid keyword stuffing. Be sure not to use excessively long domain names that contain many keywords. Keyword stuffing is when you include too many keywords in your domain name that are irrelevant to your business. For example, if you are selling software, do not choose a domain name like sales.software.com. While long-tail keywords can be ideal in some aspects of an SEO strategy, they are bad for domain names.
4. Customize the URL. If you have a long domain name, you can always customize the URL to make it more user-friendly. Plus, this is a clever way of including the target keyword that is not necessarily your business name. For example, you can use www.yourdomain.com/keyword instead of www.keyword.com. It will make it easier for users to find your website. You can use this tactic to target specific keywords.
5. Limit redirects. SEO and domains work in tandem to increase your visibility on search engines. Multiple redirects on your website will significantly reduce your SEO efforts, and you will have to work harder to build authority for your domain name. Plus, you will lose your web users if they get frustrated on your site, which is a lose-lose for your brand.
A well-crafted domain name is critical for SEO success. A domain name should be short, memorable, and relevant to your business. Do not choose a domain that is too generic or similar to another company’s name. Consider the domain’s length, pronunciation, and whether it is available. With these tips, you are ready to pick the perfect SEO domain name for your brand.
Related;