Your domain name is your address on the web. It needs to be easy to remember and not too long. It can be your business name or something completely different. It can sometimes be beneficial to use keywords in the domain. But is that a good idea?
Using Keywords in Your Domain
Including keywords in your domain name can help your website rank higher in search engine results. If there is a keyword you REALLY want to rank for, including it in your domain name can help. However, trying to cram keywords into your domain name can be seen as spammy, so keep it simple. Using your business name as the domain name can establish your brand but doesn’t give you the search boost.
If search engine optimization (SEO) is a high priority, incorporating relevant keywords in your domain name can be beneficial. If the name of your business happens to align with your market (for example, the name of your business is Nashville Excavation Services) then that is the best of both worlds.
Purchasing a Domain Name Already Owned by Someone Else
If another business already has a domain name that you want it is possible to make an offer to purchase, but there are a few things to keep in mind first:
- Cost. Buying an already-owned domain name can be expensive, especially if it’s a popular or in-demand name. Research the current market value of the domain name you’re interested in and determine if the cost is worth it for your business.
- Availability. You can use domain name marketplace websites such as GoDaddy Auctions or Sedo to search for available domain names. The one you want just may not be for sale.
- Legal Considerations. If the domain name you’re interested in is already in use, it’s important to ensure that you have the legal right to use it. If the domain name is trademarked or copyrighted, and using it without permission could result in legal action.
- Alternatives. If the domain name you want is not available or too expensive, consider using alternative domain extensions, such as .net or .biz, or using a modified version of the name that is still recognizable and memorable to your target audience.
Alternative Domain Extensions (gTLD Domains)
These days there are MANY available alternative domains (or gTLD domains, which stands for “generic top-level domain”). Here are a few examples of interesting gTLD domains that could be useful for a construction business:
- .builders
- .construction
- .consulting
- .contractors
- .earth
- .engineer
- .engineering
- .enterprises
- .foundation
- .homes
- .plumbing
- .property
- .realestate
- .services
- .space
- .storage
- .works
To see a much longer list of these options, visit https://www.godaddy.com/domains/gtld-domain-names.
Example: A company in Atlanta registers atlanta.construction. Not bad!
The downside is that these domains tend to be more expensive, usually $75 per year or more, and sometimes way more expensive than that. And that is an annual fee.
So as you see, there are a lot of options when selecting your domain name. Take your time and pick the one that you think will best serve your business. If you could use some help marketing your business, the professionals at ProfitDig would be glad to have a conversation about how we can help you grow your business. Give us a call!