If you are thinking about getting a domain name for your business, you have to be aware of the legal issues that might arise.
Do you want to be associated with a company involved in litigation? — The answer is probably NOT. So, when you buy a domain name for your business, make sure you know all the implications.
Picking up a perfect domain name is not an easy task. That can be a serious problem, especially if you’re planning on selling products or services online. If you want to avoid unwanted legal issues, you need to make sure your domain name is safe to buy and use.
In this beginners guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best domain name for your business by avoiding legal problems. And you will also learn what should look for before buying a domain.
Let’s dive in.
What Is A Domain Name?
A domain name is your web address — it’s how people will find you online. But it can also be a key differentiator in your branding efforts. The right domain name will give people a clue about your brand identity, product, or service.
A great way to think of domain names is like the street address of a store. It’s easy to remember, and it takes you to the place where you want to go.
Domain names are like the names of products. For example, if you’re a shoe company, your domain name could be shoemaking.com.
How Did The Domain Name Come Up?
The computer system works in binary methods [0 & 1]. The domain we use is basically a combination of some 0’s and 1’s, which are set in a specific format. This format is assigned by a numeric series called IP Addresses. Example: 132.244.66.9.
It’s almost impossible for us to browse a website with an address like this. To solve this disability, the domain name comes in.
How Does A Domain Name Work?
When we enter a domain name in our browser, first, our browser sends a request to the Domain Name System (DNS) of the domain through Global Network (which forms the DNS). Then the DNS looks up the Name Server associated with the domain and forwards the request.
This Name Server (NS) is actually the hosting server, where the website is hosted. For example, if a website is hosted on Bluehost, then the Name Server will be like –
ns1.bluehost.com
ns2.bluehost.com
Then the NS forwards the request to the server computer, where the website’s data is stored. Then the server computer fetches the data and sends it to the user’s browser.
Types Of Domain Names?
There are two different types of domain names. One is called a top-level domain and the other is called a second-level domain.
Top-Level Domain (TLD): A top-level domain is a name that is given to a country or region. For example, .com, .org, .edu, and .gov are all top-level domains. The letters at the end of these domain names tell you the country or region that they represent.
Second-Level Domain (SLD): A second-level domain is a name that is assigned to an organization or individual. For example, the University of Maryland has a domain name that is md.umd.
7-Steps To Choose A Good Domain Name
When you’re going to buy a domain name, you’re actually going to purchase a piece of intellectual property and a place in cyberspace.
Choosing a good domain name is key to running a successful online business. But it can also be the most difficult decision of your life. So I’m here to help you make the best choice possible.
1. Determine the purpose of use
When you are considering a new domain name, ask yourself some simple questions:
- Why would someone use this domain?
- Is this a website or a business? Or is it a blog?
It will be easier to choose a name that conveys a clear message once you know which of these you are using for. The domain name you choose should help you communicate what you are all about. Make sure that the domain name you choose is relevant to what you want to create.
2. Keep the domain name short and meaningful
When naming a website we need to keep in mind — the length. If you want to make the most of your domain name, don’t go for something too long.
The domain name should be short but meaningful. And, it should be easy to remember. If you are having trouble thinking of a good domain name, try to come up with one that’s related to your product or service.
3. Keep the domain name easy to pronounce and spell
It can be tempting to put too much thought into your domain name. But a domain name is an important part of your brand identity. And if you’re not careful, you could end up with a name that is hard to say or spell.
When choosing a domain name, it’s important to keep it simple, easy to pronounce and spell. If you want people to be able to remember your name, it should be easy to say. Always try not to use long and confusing words.
4. Keep the domain name unique and brandable
This is probably the most important tip on this list. A unique domain name is essential to creating a brand. When people search for a product or service, they are more likely to click on a website that looks professional.
A great example of a unique and brandable domain name is “Hubspot”. Because it is both short and memorable. People are able to remember the domain name without having to think about it. It is easy to spell and pronounce.
This could be a good example of how you can create a brandable domain name.
5. Avoid numbers, hyphens, and double letters
Don’t create a domain name with hyphens, numbers, or even double letters. Hyphens and numbers will make your domain name hard to remember, including type in the browser.
Using double letters in a domain name could make it confusing. It is also a pain for people who have trouble spelling.
Another thing is, hyphens may make a domain name spammy.
6. Avoid trademarks name [Must]
It is a good idea to avoid trademark issues when naming your business. Don’t use any names that you don’t own the right to. It’s a good idea to avoid names that are similar to other companies and brands.
For example, you should avoid using any name that has been used by a major brand. If your company’s name is generic like “The Facebook Shop” or “Facebook Store”, it’s better to change it so you can own it.
As an entrepreneur, you need to carefully select a business name. You need to be careful about what you name your business. If you do not have any prior experience in selecting a business name, you can find some ideas online.
7. Use the right domain name extension
Domain names have different extensions. For example, the “.com” extension means a commercial website, and the “.edu” extension means a university website. So, it’s also important to choose the right extension for your niche or business.
Check all available domain extensions.
The most popular domain extension is “.com”. It can be used for almost all types of businesses. When you are going to register a domain name, be sure to use “.com” as the extension.
However, you may use other extensions that suit you. According to Google, domain extensions have no impact on search engine rankings.
What Should Look For When Buying A Domain Name?
Every business owner wants to own a domain name. They don’t realize, however, that it’s not a one-time purchase. You need to plan and execute a strategy to keep your domain name valuable.
If you are planning to buy a domain name, you need to keep these factors in mind while searching for a suitable domain.
1. Determine the age of the domain
If a domain is not renewed, it is open for resale after a certain period of time. Such domains could be bad for brand and SEO.
A popular way to lookup an old domain is – Archive.org. It is a web archive machine. Enter your domain name into the search box. If the domain was previously purchased, it will show you by marking it on the calendar.
2. Do research for an expired domain
You got a great domain name that is the best suited to your niche or business. But unfortunately, it is an old domain. Don’t worry, it could be safe to use yet. You just need to do some research before buying it.
Check transparency: A quick look at the Google Transparency Report will tell you if a website is infringing any legal issues.
Check indexed links: Go to Google and search “site:yourdomain.com”. If there are too many links on Google, it could hurt your SEO ranking.
But it’s not a deal-breaking issue. You may hire an SEO expert to resolve it.
Check blacklist issue: It’s a little bit hard task. If the previous owner use this domain for spamming (like sending spamming email) or to host illegal stuff, then the domain can get blacklisted.
If you want to be sure that you can use the domain without any problem, it’s better to search on Google for checking spammy domains in various ways.
3. Give priority to name rather than price
Your domain name could play a vital role in your business and also SEO ranking. A good domain name will help you get more customers. So, the first thing you need to do is to find a good domain name.
The price of a domain may vary depending on the registrar and the extension. Some names are also offered at a price that is a few times higher than the regular price. These are basically premium-listed domains.
If you get your domain name as premium, you should buy (if you have the ability and budget). For example, “insurance.com” looks more professional and trustworthy than “theinsurance.com.”
Conclusion
The biggest mistake that many people make when starting a business is not choosing a great domain name. People often think that they can simply pick out a domain name that sounds cool or easy to remember. But the reality is that domain names are a very important marketing tool and will play an important role in your company’s success.
The best way to choose a domain name is by thinking about what your brand stands for. An ideal domain name should be easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and easy to remember. And should not use any number and hyphen. And try to avoid double letters.
And most importantly, do proper research before buying a domain name for your business.
You may check out this 99 cent domain deal to help you get started with your business today.
