Avoiding Common Domain Name Mistakes
Choosing a domain name is one of the first and most important steps in establishing your online presence. It's your digital address, your brand's identity, and a key factor in how people find you online. However, the process is fraught with potential pitfalls. Making the wrong choices can lead to confusion, lost traffic, and even legal issues. This article outlines some of the most common domain name mistakes and provides actionable advice on how to avoid them, ensuring you make the right decision for your business.
Choosing a Domain Name That's Too Long
One of the most frequent errors is selecting a domain name that's unnecessarily long and complicated. Lengthy domain names are harder to remember, more prone to typos, and less appealing to use in marketing materials. Keep it short, sweet, and memorable.
Why Length Matters
Memorability: Shorter names are easier to recall, leading to more direct traffic.
Typing Errors: Longer names increase the chances of typos, sending visitors to the wrong website or nowhere at all.
Mobile Usability: Long domain names can be cumbersome to type on mobile devices.
Branding: Concise names are generally more impactful and easier to incorporate into branding efforts.
Best Practices for Domain Name Length
Aim for 6-14 characters: This is a general guideline, but shorter is often better.
Use keywords strategically: Incorporate relevant keywords, but don't force them if it makes the name unwieldy.
Prioritise brevity: If you can convey the same message with fewer words, do it.
For example, instead of `TheBestSydneyPlumbersAndGasFitters.com.au`, consider something like `SydneyPlumbingPros.com.au` or even `SydneyPlumbers.com.au` if available. A shorter, more memorable name will always serve you better.
Ignoring Trademark Issues
Failing to conduct thorough trademark research before registering a domain name can lead to serious legal consequences. Using a name that infringes on an existing trademark can result in a cease-and-desist letter, legal action, and the loss of your domain name.
The Importance of Trademark Research
Legal Protection: Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and other identifying marks.
Avoiding Lawsuits: Using a trademarked name without permission is illegal and can be costly.
Brand Reputation: Being accused of trademark infringement can damage your brand's reputation.
How to Conduct Trademark Research
IP Australia: Search the IP Australia database for registered trademarks.
Google Search: Perform a thorough Google search to identify any existing businesses using similar names.
Professional Assistance: Consider consulting a trademark lawyer for professional advice and a comprehensive search.
Even if a domain name is available, it doesn't mean you have the right to use it. Always prioritise trademark research to avoid potential legal issues. It's also important to check for variations of your domain name, as these could also be trademarked. Learn more about Domainnamechecker and how we can help you find the perfect domain.
Forgetting to Renew Your Domain Name
One of the simplest yet most devastating mistakes is forgetting to renew your domain name. If your domain expires, it becomes available for anyone to register, potentially leading to the loss of your online identity and valuable traffic.
The Consequences of Domain Expiration
Website Downtime: Your website will become inaccessible, disrupting your business operations.
Loss of Email: Your email addresses associated with the domain will stop working.
Brand Damage: Customers may lose trust in your brand if your website is unavailable.
Domain Hijacking: Someone else could register your domain and use it for malicious purposes or sell it back to you at an inflated price.
How to Prevent Domain Expiration
Enable Auto-Renewal: Most domain registrars offer auto-renewal options. Enable this feature to ensure your domain is automatically renewed before it expires.
Set Multiple Reminders: Set reminders in your calendar and email to notify you well in advance of the expiration date.
Update Contact Information: Ensure your contact information with your domain registrar is up-to-date so you receive renewal notifications.
Consider Long-Term Registration: Registering your domain for multiple years can provide peace of mind and potentially save you money.
Losing your domain name can be a costly mistake. Take proactive steps to ensure it's always renewed on time. You can explore our services to find a domain registrar that offers reliable renewal options.
Using Hyphens Excessively
While hyphens can be useful in separating words in a domain name, using them excessively can make your domain look spammy, difficult to remember, and less credible. Overuse of hyphens can also negatively impact your search engine optimisation (SEO).
The Downsides of Excessive Hyphens
Readability: Domain names with multiple hyphens are harder to read and pronounce.
Memorability: Hyphens make domain names more difficult to remember and share verbally.
Credibility: Excessive hyphens can make your domain appear less professional and trustworthy.
SEO Impact: Search engines may penalise domain names with excessive hyphens.
When to Use Hyphens (and When Not To)
Acceptable Use: Hyphens can be useful when your desired domain name is already taken, and you need to add a keyword or modifier. For example, `Sydney-Web-Design.com.au`.
Avoid Overuse: Limit yourself to one or two hyphens at most. Avoid using hyphens simply to include more keywords.
Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative domain extensions (e.g., `.net`, `.org`) or slightly different wording to avoid using hyphens altogether.
Ideally, your domain name should be clean and easy to understand without relying on hyphens. If you must use them, do so sparingly and strategically. Think about how the domain name sounds when spoken aloud – is it clear and easy to understand? If not, reconsider your options. Domainnamechecker can help you find available domain names that fit your brand.
Not Considering Mobile Friendliness
In today's mobile-first world, it's crucial to consider how your domain name will appear and function on mobile devices. Long or complex domain names can be difficult to type on mobile screens, leading to user frustration and lost traffic.
The Importance of Mobile Friendliness
Mobile Traffic: A significant portion of web traffic comes from mobile devices.
User Experience: A mobile-friendly domain name improves the user experience on smartphones and tablets.
Typing Ease: Shorter, simpler domain names are easier to type on mobile screens.
Shareability: Mobile users are more likely to share short, memorable domain names.
Tips for Mobile-Friendly Domain Names
Keep it Short: As mentioned earlier, shorter domain names are easier to type and remember on mobile devices.
Avoid Complex Characters: Avoid using special characters or symbols that may be difficult to enter on mobile keyboards.
- Test on Mobile Devices: Before finalising your domain name, test it on various mobile devices to ensure it's easy to type and share.
Choosing a domain name that's mobile-friendly is essential for reaching a wider audience and providing a positive user experience. Consider how your domain name will look and function on mobile devices before making your final decision. If you have any further questions, check out our frequently asked questions page.