best-domain-nameThe domain industry is gigantic and massively lucrative, with ultra-relevant domains seemingly always bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for their owners.

From ultra-memorable short domain names to incredibly targeted shopping terms, the value of a good domain is well established, and any smart online marketer knows how important it is to find a domain name that sells your business for you.

For bloggers, things can be a little more complicated. Picking a name for your blog is often less about driving direct ‘buyer’ traffic and much more about summing up and explaining your content.

For some bloggers, personal branding comes into play too.

From self-named domain names to semi-random number and letter combinations, blog names can be incredibly varied.

These tips should help you pick a domain name for your blog. Whenever you build a blog, give some thought to your domain name, for it’s essentially your online calling card.

Check out these tips, get on the registrar, and get ready to pick a great domain name.

1: Your blog’s name should be content-relevant

If your blog is about tree frogs, let people know in the domain name. If your blog is about generating income, make it clear in the domain. If your blog is about anything and everything, pick a domain name that doesn’t make it seem uber-specific.

Focus on something that brands your blog effectively.

2: If you’re going to build a blog for personal branding, use your own name

If you perform a Google search for your name, what comes up? For most people it’s a few irrelevant results, possibly an old Friendster account, and a Facebook page.

Your blog is your online calling card, and without a great domain name it’s going to be hard for people to find you, at least in the early stages.

If you’re making a personal blog, use your own full name as the domain name. While it will cut down on direct SEO benefits for your content, it’ll work wonders for your own personal branding.

After all, what’s better than having your own website appear when a potential employer or client searches for your name? Believe me, they’ll be searching for you, so invest in a domain that shows off what you can offer.

3: Cheap top-tier names can save you time and money

Is the .com taken? Get the .net or the .org. Top-tier domains are all virtually the same for SEO benefits, so unless your website is going to be directly entered into the search bar often, it’s best to just go for the next best top-tier domain name. If you’re stuck between picking a $10.00 .net domain and a $2,000.00 .com, go for the .net every time.

#4: Always invest in β€œwhois” protection, unless you’re planning to sell.

When you build a blog, you’re putting yourself at risk of copycat bloggers popping up straight away. Protect yourself from fraud and spam by hiding your domain registry details. Of course, if you’re planning on selling your domain name eventually, keeping your β€œwhois” data on the domain itself is incredibly useful for finding buyers.

Getting the domain is a crucial first step.

For more info on picking the best domain names you can check out my video:

How to choose a Website Name

How did you choose your domain name?

Please share your tips in the comments below. Thanks.

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