Choosing the best domain name is now more important than ever to be prominent on the internet. You’ll be competing with hundreds, if not thousands of similar businesses, it is therefore in your best interests to stand out. A great domain name can help you on your way.

In this article, we look at some of the most common myths and share the best tips to help you find and register an exceptional domain name for your business.

Why Registering A Great Domain Name Matters

Contrary to popular belief, the domain name you choose for your website should be a strategy in and of itself. You don’t just have to register your business name with a .co.za anymore, although it is perfectly fine should you do so if it’s part of your plan. It is also okay if the domain name you come up with influences the name of your business, and not the other way around.

The point is – it is important to realise that the name you register matters.

A well-chosen domain name can unlock a series of benefits, namely:

1. It can help you look professional and trustworthy

Do you want to be directed to a website with some gibberish-sounding or random collection of letters and numbers in its domain name? Certainly not, and neither do your potential customers. A great domain can create a positive initial impression, giving the sense that your business is professional and trustworthy.

2. It can help to shape your brand’s identity  

A brand is built over time and your domain name plays a part in shaping that. A memorable, relevant domain reinforces your business’s core message and values. It becomes part of your brand’s personality, helping customers to recognise you more easily.

3. It can boost your organic ranking in search engines

Search engines like Google take your domain into account when ranking websites. Including a relevant keyword in your domain can therefore give your website an edge in search engine optimisation (SEO), making it more visible when people search for other related products or services.

4. It can help you reach a specific market 

The Top Level Domain extension (TLD) that you choose can influence your ability to connect with specific markets or regions. For example, using a country-specific extension like .co.za for South Africa or .africa for the African continent signals your relevance to those specific geographic areas. This could in turn help you attract local customers.

5. It can help you get more traffic 

People come across all kinds of new companies every day. It’s just not possible to remember them all. But if you can make your domain name memorable and easy to recall, you could lead potential customers directly to your website. Now that’s effective marketing!

RELATED: It is more than just a domain name, it is an opportunity.

10 Myths When It Comes To Choosing A Domain For Your Business

Over the years, the registeration of domains has become a quick task. Something done without much consideration to how valuable it could be to a company’s long-term success. This is of course a misconception.

Here are ten other misunderstandings that should be considered when choosing a domain name:

Myth 1: Only .com domains are worthwhile

While .com is the most recognised domain extension, it’s not the only valuable option. In South Africa, businesses have success with extensions like .co.za, .net, .org, etc. Choosing a domain extension that fits your audience or niche is equally as effective.

Myth 2: Shorter is always better

While shorter domains are easier to remember, this doesn’t mean longer ones are all ‘disastrous’. A domain name should prioritise clarity and meaning over length. For example, “thebluelagoon.co.za” is more descriptive than “tbl.co.za,” which may not instantly convey its purpose.

Myth 3: Keywords in your domain guarantee top SEO rankings

Although keywords in a domain name can support SEO, they don’t guarantee high rankings by themselves. Search engines use many factors to determine rankings, such as content quality, backlinks, and user experience. A domain name is just one piece of the puzzle.

Myth 4: Hyphens improve readability

Some believe that adding hyphens to a domain (e.g., “the-blue-lagoon.co.za”) improves readability, but hyphenated domains are harder to remember and prone to typos. Additionally, they look less professional and can come across as spammy to users.

Myth 5: Your name must match your business

While it’s helpful if your domain matches your business name, it’s not always necessary. Sometimes slight variations work better, especially if the exact match is already taken. You can also choose not to have your business name included in your domain at all, and rather settle for a keyword combination instead.

Myth 6: New extensions are untrustworthy

Some people believe that newer domain extensions like .shop, .tech, or .click are less credible, but that’s not true. As more businesses opt for creative and specific extensions, users are becoming more familiar and comfortable with them. What matters most is that the domain aligns with the brand.

Myth 7: If a domain name is available, nobody else has thought of it

Just because a domain is available doesn’t mean it’s unique or that no one else has thought of it. There could be businesses with similar names or trademarks. Always do research to ensure you’re not infringing on someone else’s brand before registering.

Myth 8: Changing it later is no big deal

Switching the name of your domain down the line can cause confusion, hurt your brand’s recognition, and disrupt SEO rankings. It’s best to choose a domain carefully from the start, as changing it can have long-term effects on traffic and branding.

Myth 9: Using numbers in your name makes it stand out

Including numbers can also cause confusion, especially when spoken aloud. People may not know whether to type the number or spell it out (e.g., “4” vs. “four”). Unless the number is part of your brand name, it’s better to avoid numbers altogether.

Myth 10: Buying similar variations is a waste of money

If you think that securing different versions of your domain (such as with different TLDs or regular visitor misspellings) is unnecessary – think again. Doing this can actually protect your brand from competitors or impersonators and prevent you from losing traffic to similar domains.

Top 10 Tips To Securing An Incredible Address On The World Wide Web

If you are in the market for a traffic-stopping address on the World Wide Web, use these top tips:

1. Consider your website’s purpose and target market

Start by clarifying your website’s purpose and target audience. Are you building a business site, personal blog, or portfolio? Knowing your goals helps guide the choice of domain name. For example, if you’re targeting a specific region or industry, your domain name should reflect that.

2. Brainstorm with the help of our Domains.co.za’s AI Domain Name Generator

It’s not fun brainstorming alone. Use our AI Domain Name Generator to help you come up with a series of creative names, which you can register then and there. Alternatively, use this AI search tool to help trigger other options. It’s a complementary service we offer to help you register the best domain name for their business.

3. Keep it short and straightforward

But we just said having short domain names are a myth?! The truth is short, and simple names are just easier to recall, spell or pronounce than longer ones. And that’s what you are after. That being said, you don’t have to forgo a longer, 2-3 syllable name if it’s uncomplicated and memorable for example “thebluelagoon” etc.

As per our myth list, hyphens and numbers should be avoided to prevent confusion.

4. Use keywords strategically   

Incorporate relevant keywords related to your business or industry in the domain name. This can improve search engine rankings and help users understand what your website is about. For example, a plumber might use “cityplumbing.joburg” or “fixleaks.co.za.”

5. Explore relevant TLDs

The domain extension you choose (.co.za, .africa, .tech)  also matters. For a global business, .com is often ideal because it’s widely recognised. For region-specific businesses, a country code TLD like .co.za or .durban helps target local audiences.

6. Make it sound brandable

It’s not just about how a domain reads, it’s about how it sounds too. A great name on the ear could become brandable. Read the name options out loud and choose something catchy and relevant to your product, service or industry.

7. Double-check trademarks

You want to fall in love with your domain name – so make sure you can keep it before finalising registration. Infringing on any trademarks can lead to legal issues and cause you to lose your domain. So, before you seal the deal, do a quick search for existing businesses with similar names.

8. Leave room for growth 

Your business might start out selling one thing, but who’s to say you wouldn’t want to expand down the line. Pick a domain name that allows for future growth. Avoid being too specific with your name, so you could take it into any direction you wish.

9. Reference social profiles

It’s so frustrating if the social profiles you want are all taken. So, before your register, check if the domain name is available as a handle on social media platforms. Consistency across your website and social makes it easier for your customers to find you.

10. Don’t sit on it – register it 

Domain names get registered fast, so if you find one you like, don’t wait too long to secure it. You may also want to register multiple TLDs or similar domains to protect your brand from competitors or copycats.

Benefits Of Using Domains.co.za’s AI Domain Name Generator

With millions of domain names already registered, it can be challenging to come up with a unique, catchy, and meaningful name. This is where our AI Domain Name Generator becomes incredibly helpful.

Reasons to use it, include:

1. It can be your brainstorming buddy

As mentioned previously, brainstorming domain names on your own is far less fun than doing it in a group. Sometimes, the hardest part of the process is finding the initial spark of inspiration. Yet, realising now how important the choice is – you need creative input. And who better to ask than AI? Our AI search tool uses algorithms to suggest relevant and available names within seconds.

2. It couldn’t be easier

With a few clicks, you can experiment with different keywords, adjust parameters, and view instant suggestions that are available to register. The user-friendly interface simplifies the domain search process, whether you’re a tech-savvy entrepreneur or a complete beginner.

3. Love a domain name? It can be yours

Our AI search tool checks the availability of each suggested domain name in real-time. This feature eliminates the frustration of discovering that your ideal name is already taken after spending hours of brainstorming.

4. It offers various TLD options to register

It generates domain name ideas and various TLD combinations like .net, .org, .tech, .africa etc. that could help make your domain stand out.

5. It includes SEO-driven results

Our tool has been designed to incorporate relevant keywords into the suggestions they provide. By choosing a domain that includes an SEO-friendly keyword related to your business, you may see better ranking potential on search engines, attracting more visitors to your site.

6. You can choose your filters

The Advanced version offers various filters you can adjust is you deem suitable. If you’re building a personal brand, for instance, our generator can suggest names that incorporate your name or profession. For businesses, it can blend product-related keywords to reinforce what you offer.

7. It can come up with catchy and creative results

Our domain name generator creates names that are short, pronounceable, and aligned with your business goals, enhancing your website’s appeal to potential customers. The variety of suggestions can help you make an informed decision.

RELATED: 14 Questions about domain names and website hosting answered.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• With internet prominence more critical than ever, standing out among numerous similar businesses is essential. A great domain name can set you apart.
• Registering a domain is quick, but its impact on long-term success is often underestimated.
• Choosing a strong domain name builds trust, shapes brand identity, boosts SEO, and attracts targeted customers.”
• A memorable, relevant domain can make your business look professional and increase traffic.
• Keep the domain name you choose short, simple, and memorable.
• Consider using relevant keywords and check for trademark issues.
• Don’t sit on your domain name idea – act quickly to secure it and consider multiple TLDs for protection.
• Domains.co.za’s AI Domain Name Generator simplifies finding unique, SEO-friendly domain names, making brainstorming easier with instant, creative, and available suggestions.

FAQs

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