However, your business name isn’t the only name that’s important when it comes to achieving higher levels of success. Selecting the right domain name is equally important when creating and building a company that not only achieves, but actually exceeds expectations. Why?

It impacts your SEO

If you’re online at all, then you likely already know that SEO (search engine optimisation) is critical to being found. This is true not only for the content on your web pages, but also your domain name.

That’s why the marketing firm Primeview recommends using your business name as your domain name, further reinforcing your brand. Additionally, if you can incorporate the top keywords your consumer base would use when looking for you, that’s even better yet.

It affects your reputation

Imagine that you’re searching online for a local company that provides cleaning services and you find two options: one that has the URL professionalcleaningservices.com and one with the URL wecleanyourstuff.com. Which one would you be more inclined to do business with?

Though it may be subtle, the domain name that you choose can affect what others think of your business. For this reason, you want to choose one that helps your customer base see you for the professionals and industry experts that you are.

It enables your consumer to connect with you more easily

Web Profits Consulting reports that 97 percent of consumers use the internet to find local businesses, with 83 percent performing follow-up actions on your site, such as making a purchase or scheduling an appointment. So, what happens if your domain is too difficult to find?

This can happen if you choose a name that is lengthy, hard to remember, or doesn’t seem like a good fit for your business. By avoiding these types of situations, you make it easier for your target market to find and connect with your business.

Tips for buying the right domain

By taking all of these factors into consideration, you’re more likely to choose a domain name that can ultimately take your business to higher levels. Here are a few additional tips that can also help you buy a domain that more effectively promotes your products and services:

• Avoid using numbers and words with multiple spellings in your domain name as this can help reduce potential confusion when searching for you
• Aim for a short domain name versus one that is long and hard to remember
• Use keywords in your domain, if possible, to help elevate your rank

Once you have identified the domain you want to use, the next step is to make sure it’s available. If not, you can approach the person currently using it and see if they’d be willing to sell or give it to you. If they won’t, then you may have to choose a new domain.

Next, even if you’re not ready to create your website, be sure to purchase your domain immediately. With more than 334 million domains currently registered, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to purchase the one you want if and when it’s available.

Choosing the right domain name can impact your business’s ability to grow. However, by following these recommendations, you’ll be more likely to select one that pushes you further versus holding you back, giving you a domain that sets you up for even greater levels of success.