8 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain Name

1. Domain extension - dk or com

Choosing the right top-level domain (TLD), also known as a domain extension, is not always a straightforward decision. If you primarily have Danish customers, it may be beneficial to choose a .dk domain as it signals that your business is Danish. At the same time, a .com domain may also be relevant as it is one of the most widely used TLDs globally. However, it's important to note that there are more available .dk domains than .com domains as most good .com domains have already been registered. Additionally, buying and selling .dk domains is not allowed, making it difficult to change the name of your business.

In the tech industry, there are also new TLDs that have become popular such as .io, .ai and .app. While these TLDs may be interesting for some businesses, it's important to consider that most Danes still look for businesses using .dk and .com. For example, you would write matas.dk instead of matas.io to find Matas' website. Therefore, before choosing a specific TLD, it's important to consider how it may impact your business's visibility.

Instead of focusing on the TLD, it may be more relevant to focus on choosing a good and easily memorable domain name that fits your business. You can also opt to register a .com domain and redirect other TLDs to it using a 301 redirect.

2. Keep it short and simple

One of the most important factors in choosing a domain name is that it should be easy to remember and effortless to spell. A domain name that is too long can make it difficult for people to remember it correctly, resulting in them spelling it incorrectly. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a domain name with between 6 and 14 characters, and the shorter the better. If you can find a domain name with only 3 or 4 characters that fits your business, you should consider registering that name as it will be easy to remember and share with others.

For example, if your business is called Søren Larsen VVS, www.sørenlarsenvvs.dk is likely the first thing you would think of. But instead of using this long domain name, you could consider choosing a shorter name like www.slvvs.dk or www.slarsen.dk as these are easier to pass on to others when they ask for your website or email address. It is important to choose a domain name that is easy to remember and spell so you can avoid having to spell it out for your customers over the phone or otherwise.

Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid using the characters "Æ", "Ø", and "Å" in domain names. These characters are specific to the Danish language and can cause issues with international accessibility and searchability. By avoiding these characters, you can ensure that your domain name is easily understandable and accessible to a global audience. Additionally, it will be less prone to typos and misspellings, thus making it easy to remember and share.

3. Avoid hyphens, numbers, and doubled letters

It is important to consider the use of letters and symbols in your domain name, as it can lead to confusion unless your business name is actually a number, as in the case of www.3.dk. I know the owner of Denmark's Leading Mobile Juicebar, and he had originally registered the domain www.tutti-frutti.dk, which he had shared with his acquaintances. In an effort to help those in my network, I quickly checked if the available domain name www.tuttifrutti.dk was available and immediately informed him. He was just as quick to buy it, so it now points to his original website.

It's important to take into account that if your primary domain name contains a dash, you should also own the same name without the dash, to avoid confusion. For example, if your business is called Hansen APS and www.hansenaps.dk is taken by another business, it would not be a good idea to buy www.hansen-aps.dk, as it can create confusion and risk stepping on the other business's toes. It is vital to consider the use of symbols and letters in your domain name to avoid confusion and ensure that your business is easily accessible and recognizable to your target audience.

4. Avoid vague or generic domains

When working in the field of accounting, it is certainly relevant to have a domain name that reflects this. A good choice would be to register the domain name regnskab.dk, even though it is generic. However, choosing a domain name such as www.regnskabkolding.dk can be a poor choice if your business is called Dansk Regnskab and is located in Kolding. Although many SEO experts may recommend this domain name, it may be better to choose a domain name like www.danskregnskab.dk, which reflects your brand. Then, you can create a subpage on your website, such as www.danskregnskab.dk/regnskab-kolding, and focus on SEO for that specific page instead.

It is important to note that when choosing a domain name, it is essential to select one that accurately reflects your brand and business. Avoiding vague or generic domains can prevent confusion and help increase brand recognition. By choosing a domain name that reflects your brand, you can make it easy for potential customers to find and remember your business. Additionally, you can focus on SEO for specific pages on your website, rather than trying to optimize a generic or vague domain name.

5. Make it easy to type and pronounce

It is crucial that your domain name is easy to pronounce, otherwise it can lead to confusion and lost visitors. Let's say your business organizes events and is called Go OnTour ApS. It's a fine name, but the domain www.goontour.dk could be confused with GoonTour, which has a completely different meaning. Therefore, it is important to think about this when choosing your business name. It is no secret that a digital image is a crucial factor for any business's success in the digital age, so make sure to choose a domain name that is easy to pronounce and understand for your audience.

When choosing a domain name, it's essential to consider how it will be perceived by your target audience. A domain name that is easily pronounced and understood by your audience will prevent confusion and make it easy for them to remember and find your website. In addition, it will also make it easy for them to share your website with others. So, take the time to think about how your domain name sounds and make sure it's easy to pronounce and understand. This will help ensure that your digital image is effective and your business will be successful in the digital age.

6. Move quickly

If you come across a good domain name, strike while the iron is hot. Don't hesitate to think about it too much, as just like someone else can grab the last carton of milk from in front of you in a supermarket, someone else can also grab your desired domain name. So, if you find a good name that is available, grab it right away. There is no need to think about hosting solutions if you only want to buy a domain name. Domain names can be purchased for as little as €3, so strike while the iron is hot and make the decision about hosting your website later.

When it comes to domain names, time is of the essence. A domain name that you like, and is available today, might not be available tomorrow. So, it's important to be quick and decisive when it comes to registering a domain name. With the low costs of domain names, there is no need to spend a lot of time considering hosting solutions, as it can be done later. The main thing is to secure the domain name you want, and then you can worry about the rest. So, if you come across a good domain name, don't hesitate to grab it right away.

7. Do your research

It is crucial to thoroughly consider your domain name and research what others are doing. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, it's often better to take inspiration from other businesses in your industry. In this way, you can ensure that you are not heading in the wrong direction with your new domain name, even if it may seem super cool at first. It's always good to research and learn from others' experiences and successes, so you can avoid their mistakes and thus have a better chance of success.

When it comes to choosing a domain name, research is key. By studying the domain names of other businesses in your industry, you can gain insight into what works and what doesn't. It's not always necessary to come up with something completely new and unique. Often, it's better to take inspiration from others, and tweak it to fit your brand. By doing your research, you can avoid common pitfalls, and increase the chances of your domain name being memorable and effective.

8. Keywords are good but not necessary

Many believe that having keywords in your domain name can be good for boosting your SEO, and it can be, but it completely depends on what your focus is. Search engine optimization is a continuous process that requires a deep understanding and dedication. Your brand, on the other hand, is your brand from the day you start and many years to come. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on your brand rather than potential search engine optimization. There are plenty of opportunities to expose yourself, including marketing on Google, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media. So unless your primary focus is search engine optimization from the start, it is recommended that you instead set your business brand and image as the first priority. In this way, you ensure a strong and recognizable presence in the long run.

Conclusion

I hope that this guide has provided you with some good advice and ideas for your new domain name for your business. If you are still unsure or have lost your creativity, do not hesitate to contact us through our contact page or reach out to me on LinkedIn. I will gladly guide you in the right direction and help you find the perfect domain name for your business.