Whether you plan on using Drupal or WordPress, finding the right domain name is as important as finding a great content management system. With the market being filled with millions of domains, creating or finding a unique domain name can be difficult. This is mostly so because you have to account for memorability, relevance and SEO. All in all, there are a few tips you can use to find the right domain for your new site.
Currently, there are five widely used methods when it comes to the search for domain names.
- Buying domains from multiple domain auctions. This is by far the easiest way of finding unique domains. However, you have to research your preferred domain and bid accordingly.
- Buying expired or expiring domains. People forget to renew their domain or simply abandon them. Most of these expiring domains are unique and would be a great investment. There are numerous tools you can use to search for domains that are expiring.
- Buying domains from archive lists. Some people are in the business of registering unique domains from which interested parties can purchase. This is yet another way of finding and buying unique domains.
- Search available domains. With the help of domain registration sites, you can use your own unique keywords or phrases to search the availability of a domain. This option gives you more freedom since you tailor your domain to your liking.
The five aforementioned methods will help you find a great domain name for your website. You should always consider searching for a domain long before you start working on your web design and before selecting a hosting service provider.
How to Find a Great Domain Name
Knowing how to find the right domain names is just the first step. To find a great domain, you have to refine your search accordingly. There are a couple of things you need to do.
Narrow down your focus
As aforementioned, there are millions of domain names already registered. What this means is that whatever name you are considering, there is a good chance someone else has already beaten you to the punch. To find a unique domain, you have to start by narrowing your focus.
What will your website be about? The purpose of your website will determine the industry or sector it will fall in. You can then use this answer to narrow down your search by focusing on domain names that are related to your website. You must always do this whether your plan is to create a unique domain name or to engage in expiring domain search.
Once you know what you wish to do, finding the right domain name will be much easier. Simply put, when you understand your target audience, finding a domain that will increase sales will be much easier.
Find domains that offer real value
To start with, you must make sure the domains you are considering are directly related to your nature of business or website. You have to be honest when choosing a domain name. If the keywords contained in the domain name do not say anything about you or are not related to you, there is a good chance the domain will not benefit your course.
In addition to looking at the relevance of a domain name, you need to look at its metrics. How many backlinks and outbound links does it have? What is its page rank? What is the reputation of the previous website that used it? For how many years has the domain name been in use?
Whether you plan using the domain name for your new website on Drupal or simply reselling it for profit, you must make sure it is valuable. It should be memorable, easy to type, contain relevant keywords and not have any penalty.
Evaluate the Price
Once you have found a domain name you can purchase, it is very important that you evaluate its price. This is more so if you are buying the domain from an auction site. Resellers often inflate the prices of their domains based on the demand on reputation. You have to keep Return-on-Investment in mind.
So, how do you know that the price is fair? The first thing you need to do is to compare the price of other related domains. Search for domains with names similar to what you are looking for. How much do they cost? You can also research domain sales on domain auctions and other venues. Comparing prices will help you determine whether you are paying too much or not.
Consider Trusted Venues
A mistake most buyers make is that of searching for domains on venues they do not know anything about. As a result, they end up being conned or exploited. The last thing you want is to pay for a domain name only to learn that the person who had listed it on a sales site is not even the owner. This has happened to many people.
When searching for a domain, make sure you search in a venue with great ratings with recognized bodies like Better Business Bureau. Customer reviews will further tell you a lot about an auction site. Choosing a trusted venue will not only ensure you get a valid domain name but also at a fair price.
What to Pay Attention To
Now that you know how to find a great domain name, it is time to look at one of the most important thing you should look at. That is the PageRank of a domain. This is what shows how reputable a domain is based on backlinks to a page. The higher the PR the more powerful the back links are. High PR is essential for SEO. Needless to say, this is what you need for your content to be found online.
The process of finding a great domain name is not one you should take lightly. If you are pressed on time and need a great domain name desperately, enlist the help of professionals. There are many service providers you can hire.
Author Bio
Joe Styler is the product manager for aftermarket at GoDaddy. He is responsible for the marketplace products like the sale, purchase or monetization of domain names. His passion is helping his customer succeed. He does this by guest blogging frequently on matters expiring domain search and other online transactions.
