So, you are starting a freelance website. Congratulations! This is an exciting step in your career. But before you can start building your website, you need to choose a domain name. This can be tricky, especially if you don’t know where to start.
Choosing a domain name for your freelance website can be an important decision as it can affect the success of your online presence.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right domain name:
Make it memorable
Choose a domain name that is easy to remember and easy to spell. Avoid using numbers or special characters, as they can be difficult to remember and can cause confusion.
Make sure it’s available
Before committing to a specific domain name, make sure that it is actually available for registration. You can use online tools such as Whois Lookup or Domainr to check if the domain is available before purchasing it.
Make it relevant
Your domain name should be relevant to your business and your brand. If possible, include keywords that describe your business in your domain name.
Keep it short
Shorter domain names are easier to remember and are less likely to be misspelled. Try to keep your domain name under 15 characters if possible.
Use the right extension
Common extensions for domain names include .com, .net, and .org. If your domain name is available with the .com extension, it is recommended to choose that as it is the most recognizable and most used extension.
Research your competition
Research the domain names of your competitors and try to choose a domain name that is different from theirs but still relevant to your business.
Consider your future plans
If you plan to expand your business or offer additional services in the future, choose a domain name that can grow with your business.
Test it
Before you register your domain name, test it by sharing it with friends and family, and ask for their opinion. Make sure the domain name sounds good and is easy to spell.
How important is it to choose the right domain name
Once you choose a domain name can register it with Canva with whom we have an affiliate relationship.
Choosing the right domain name is essential for your business. It can be the difference between attracting customers or getting lost in a sea of generic URLs. Your domain name is like your brand – it should be memorable, relevant and unique so that people can find you easily online.
Furthermore, search engine optimization (SEO) is heavily reliant on having an effective domain name as part of your website address. So pick wisely and make sure you’re happy with the one you choose! Avoid the Common mistakes for choosing a domain name
1. Picking a domain with hyphens: Having too many hyphens in your domain name makes it hard to remember or type, so try to avoid them if possible.
2. Not choosing the right extension: Make sure you choose an appropriate extension for the purpose of your website, such as .com for commercial websites and .org for non-profits.
3. Making it too long: Keeping your domain name short and sweet is important – anything too long can be cumbersome to type or remember.
4. Copyrighted names/trademarks: Don’t use any copyrighted names or trademarks in your domain name without permission, as this can get you into legal trouble down the line.
5. Not checking availability: Double-check that your domain name is available before you commit to it – there’s nothing worse than finding out someone else has already snagged it!
Tools or Resources for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name
There are plenty of tools and resources that can help you choose the perfect domain name. Tools such as Domainr and Whois Lookup can help you check if a particular domain name is available before purchasing it. You can also find inspiration using sites like NameMesh, which generates ideas based on relevant keywords.
Semrush, for whom we are affiliates, have written a great article on this subject entitled 5 Ways to Generate Website Domain Name Ideas which you can read by clicking HERE.
Additionally, there are forums and blogs featuring discussions around domain names so you can get feedback or advice from experienced users. With these helpful tools, finding the right domain name for your freelance business will be easy!
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect domain name for your freelance business is an important step in establishing a successful online presence. With the right tools and resources, you can easily pick a domain name that accurately reflects what your business stands for and make sure it is available before registering.
Additionally, avoid common mistakes such as using hyphens or copyrighted names/trademarks to ensure you don’t run into any legal issues down the line.
If you are not familiar with Canva Free you can try by clicking HERE. This video shows the training for Canva beginners: