One of the first decisions you'll make when starting your blog is to choose a name. Your blog should have a title that's short, memorable, and catchy; and perhaps most importantly, it needs to be called something that works well as a domain name. So how do you choose a domain name effectively, and what is a domain name, anyway?
A domain name is the unique online address of your blog. It appears in the URL people use to find your site (such as main30dbc.wpengine.com). Choosing the right domain name matters because it will help people find your blog more easily, and will ensure they remember it and keep coming back for more.
That's why in this article we're going to cover four basic steps to choose a domain name that'll be perfect for your blog. When we're done, you'll know how to avoid names that might keep your blog from getting the attention it deserves, and you'll be able to pick a name that stands out from the crowd. Let's get started!
Step 1: Identify Your Focus and Brainstorm Potential Domain Names
Before you do anything else, you'll need to decide what your blog will be about. Chances are you already have an idea, but make sure it's as specific as possible.
Instead of just blogging about food, for example, focus on healthy meals or easy recipes. That focus will help you stand out from all the other food blogs out there, and will make picking a name far easier.
Next, you need to choose a name that tells a potential reader what the blog is about. For example, the name cookingfortwo.com tells the reader that your blog will focus on meals and recipes that work well for couples.
Keywords are crucial at this point, so think about the words people might use to find your blog. If someone wants to search for recipes online, they'll probably type in ‘cooking', ‘food' or ‘recipes'. If you call your blog quickandeasy.com they are far less likely to understand its focus than if you include a keyword and go with quickandeasyrecipes.com instead.
At this point, make a start by brainstorming a list of any and all ideas you can come up with for your domain name. Don't be picky at this point; you'll want plenty of options to choose from. There's not such thing as a bad idea at this stage!
Step 2: Make Sure Your Domain Name is User-Friendly
Once you have a list of names, you'll want to narrow it down and pick your favorites. While you should like the name you pick, remember that your readers come first.
Be sure the names you shortlist will make it easy for them to find and remember your blog.
Focus on these five key elements:
- Avoid names that are overly generic. Instead of travelingabroad.com or mycrafts.com, try cultureshock.com or stitchaday.com.
- Try to pick a name that's catchy, memorable, and ‘brandable'. For example, couplescooking.com is alliterative and more interesting than cookingfortwo.com.
- Keep the name short – a brief name is easier to remember and type.
- Check that your name is easy to say and spell. Run it by a few friends to be sure.
- Stay away from numbers and punctuation. If your blog's domain name is 10miles-a-day.com, people are likely to forget where the dashes go and if the number should be spelled out or not.
At this point, take the names you created during step one and narrow them down based on the above criteria. Once you're finished you'll hopefully have a list of at least 2–3 potential ‘winners' to take to the next stage.
Step 3: Pick an Extension and Verify Your Domain Name's Availability
Every domain name includes an extension. Some of the most common generic extensions are .com, .org, and .net. Other extensions exist for specific purposes. (For example, .edu is used for educational sites, and .gov is used for government sites.)
We recommend you pick .com if you can. It's the most widely used extension and is almost certainly the extension someone will type in when trying to recall your domain name.
If your blog is at ginaspets.info, a lot of people won't pay attention to the extension, type in ginaspets.com instead, and never find your site.
If you can't use .com, try to stick with something popular such as .org or .net.
At this stage you'll need to make sure the domain and extension combination you choose isn't already in use. Visit a site such as Bluehost and type in what you're planning to use, and you'll see if someone else has already claimed that domain name.
If ginaspets.com is taken, check to see if ginaspets.net is available.
If none of the common extensions are an option, think about changing your chosen name a little. Try something like ginaspetsonline.com or visitginaspets.com instead. Alternatively, you can go back to step one and start again.
Step 4: Consider Your Domain Name's Long-Term Impact
This step is your final ‘sanity check' before you settle on a name. Consider the places you might want to use your domain name outside of your blog.
Do you think you might create a companion Facebook page or Twitter profile? Check your favorite social media sites to see if the name you've chosen is available, and claim it now, just in case.
Also, think about whether your name is too specific, and might get in the way of future changes to your blog.
Let's say you want to write about your parenting adventures, and you have two sons. If you call your blog mycrazyboys.com, and later you have a daughter, you'll find yourself with a poorly matched name.
You want a domain name that's clear but doesn't tie you down too much.
If you have trouble with this step (or any of the others), don't be afraid to sleep on it. Search the web for possibilities, and ask your friends for suggestions.
Ultimately, although it costs a few dollars to change your domain name, you shouldn't let that dissuade you from choosing something relevant right now, rather than deliberate and miss the boat.
Conclusion
It's hard to overestimate the importance of a good domain name. Just like a catchy movie title might convince you to watch it, your blog's name will help readers decide whether to give it a chance. The right domain name can also make your blog easier to find in search engines, and simple for readers to remember and share.
There's no need to worry, though. Choosing the best domain name might be essential, but it isn't hard. Just follow the four steps we've outlined above:
- Identify your focus and brainstorm potential domain names
- Make sure your domain name is user-friendly
- Pick an extension and verify your domain name's availability
- Consider your domain name's long-term impact
What domain names are you currently considering for your blog? Share them with us in the comments section below!
What's Next ?
Now that you have a domain name for your blog, join the 30 day blog challenge and learn how to start a successful blog.
Image credit: Max Pixel
Ted A. Fryer says
the hold up with me is the name or title of my blog, you may have cleared up one question, “do or should I change names each blog? No! and secondly, I want to random blog, write twice a week, at least, ranging from travel, to current events, (that seem important, minus the political part!), and sports played by school aged children.
Matt Challenge says
I dont see it as random. There is a connecting factor – You. Its your perspective on different things you will be writing about. So choosing a domain name with your personal name / a persona would be good. Looking forward to have you in the challenge.
Bernard Bonin says
For a domain name is using my name like: BerniesBblog.com or bboninsblog.com?
Matt Challenge says
I like the bboninsblog.com so there are no 2 ‘b’s next to each other. Or just BerniesBlog.com. Looking forward to having you on the challenge.
Amy Smith says
I need a domain name for my blogging.
I’m new at this and I want to blog about my camping experiences this winter with all the campgrounds where We stayed..
Hiking & biking trials we enjoyed and all the craft breweries we went to explore to find great IPA’s etc…
Matt Challenge says
Sending you an email with some ideas. Also do you want to continue blogging once you cover the stories of this winter ? You can even come with a small guide to find great IPA’s. I would love to read it.
Kathy Bolio says
I’m thinking about a blog for our photography business should I include it in our website or have a separate blog site and link to the web site. I also want to write about getting better after 65. What about life’s getting better for a name
Matt Challenge says
You can combine your blog and website in different ways. From your blog, you can redirect traffic to your website. From your blog you can build a services page, where people can contact you for work etc..
I looked at your website and it looks like a subdomain / free site built on smugmug.
I suggest for the challenge you choose writing about getting better after 65 and use the skills / lessons to also apply it to your blog on your current website. I like the domain name idea. Grab it before its late. 🙂
Kayla Rodriguez says
I was considering starting a mom life blog but am hung up on what to call it. Was thinking about KMom but think that might be too simplistic. Can you give me any advice?
Matt Challenge says
First big congrats for even thinking about sharing your experience. I have sent you some domain name ideas to your blog :). Will be awesome to have you in the challenge.
Vivienne Brookes says
This is really useful. I am slowly getting there with a name and starting a blog. I just need a little extra time. Thanks for the info
Matt Challenge says
Glad you find it useful. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all.
Karen Lowe says
I had already chosen my blog name before I read this post, however, it was very helpful in the fact that it made me see that I chose the right name. My blog will be karenloweinspirations.com and I can’t wait to get it up an running!
Tami Cox says
I’m having trouble coming up with a blog name. I want to do two things. I want to write about life after 50 (I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, employee, college student, and I want to write about those experiences and all the challenges, etc. However, I am also passionate about logic puzzles, and I have started creating my own that I would like to share on my blog. Is there a way I can combine those two ideas, or is that a bad idea? As far as the name goes, my husband thinks I should call it Tamispuzzles.com. First of all, I think that’s kind of bland (although it is somewhat descriptive of what I want to do. Second, it fits for the puzzle idea, but it doesn’t really hint at the overall blog content. I would appreciate your advice. I am anxious to get started, but I am not sure how to proceed at this point.
Steph Francis says
Hello Tami,
Yes I think you can combine the two, it may even make you stand out from the other over 50 blogs. However make sure you have a great story on your ABOUT ME page telling how puzzles tie into your life after 50. For instance, I know my mom started getting into puzzles after she retired. She did this because she believed it would keep her sharp if she did at least one daily. She now loves puzzles and usually does more than one a day. Her story would work into why puzzles are featured on a life after 50 blog. I’m sure you have a similar story, make sure people are aware of it.
As far as the domain name goes, I agree the one your husband suggested is a little bland. Plus it only tells your readers what half of your blog is about. You want to also make it clear that this is a blog about your life after 50 as well, not just puzzles. Try coming up with some keywords for both categories, then you may be able to piece some of those words together to make a domain name. Also check out our other articles on Domain names, I think they will be helpful.
Try this one first, it teaches you how to get a domain name in 3 simple steps: https://30dayblogchallenge.com/get-domain-name-3-steps/
Or
If you are still struggling, a domain name generator may be the way to go. This article discuss the top generators and how they can help you create a domain name: https://30dayblogchallenge.com/top-7-domain-name-generators/
Let us know how you do and if you need anymore help!
Sharon Harmsen says
I have chosen my blog domain as sharontimewithu.com. I am a mother of two, own my own home and do all the upkeep and repairs myself. I love to cook and garden. My blog will be about going out of my comfort zone and trying new things. It might be home repair, cooking or trying a new activity. I am hoping the domain name I have chosen and registered works. I am now on day 2 of my 40 day blog challenge.
Catherine Matthews Beachem says
I think this is a very clear post on how to choose a domain name. I had already choosen my domain name lifeeyenews.com which includes life in really time in my life and how I am affected by the environment I live in.
Birendra Prasad Sinha says
Yes I do agree with you on almost all all points. I’ll check your mail daily will try to come up as early as possible. thank you.
regards,
Lisa says
I am unsure on what to blog about…I would like to do a DIY blog but also would like to talk about area events…Is there a way I could combine the 2? I am new to the whole blogging thing. I am intrigued, but also at a standstill…I am a single mom who works, goes to college part time and has varying interests, but none that I am a master at. Any ideas of what I could possibly do?
Candy Johansen says
My blog name is Pugpalooza.com. I also have a Facebook page named that. Of course… it’s a blog all about pugs.
Vicky kucharski says
Having trouble coming up with a name. I want to blog about taking care of my mother, but with a comedic twist as well as showing gratitude in a spiritual way. I was thinking of vickystakingcareofmom, or vickysattitudeofgratitude or just wildlife.
Dianne Browne says
I’m new at this also and want to blog about creating an excellent classroom culture. I don’t want to limit myself and thought of the name dhbconsultingfromtheheart.
My plan is to provide information useful to teachers and parents as well as provide workshops.
Is this too general?