This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal domains that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
So, you have decided that you want to start a blog or website. The first hurdle you will likely face is what to name your site. I know bloggers who have brainstormed their name for years before finally taking the plunge and selecting a domain name. You might think, wow, thats a long time, and it is, but also selecting a domain name is arguably the most important step for creating your brand. You might have great, thought-provoking content, amazing photos and unique ideas, but the first impression people receive comes down to your name. You want to be memorable, yet relevant and simple. Here are a few tips for choosing a domain name:
Consider Your Theme
What do you want to write about? Are you going to create a fashion blog? Are you going to share recipes and cooking advice? Or are you planning on sharing about your life and a lot of topics? The first tip I have is to consider your theme. If you are starting a food blog, you most likely want a name associated with food in some way. You want your name to be unique, but also instantly give readers an insight into what your site is about.
Brainstorm Names
Now that you have decided on a theme, its time to start brainstorming names. This part can get hard. You want your name to be catchy, yet memorable and functional. I recommend starting with a few words that define your theme, and go from there. A thesaurus can be a great guide to finding different words as well. You can create a personal domain that has your name in it like “Simply Clarke” or one that is more catchy like “Truth & Tequila”.
Explore Available Names
Exploring available names is key as well. You may have a great idea for a site name, but when you look it up, you find that it is already in use. I want to encourage you stop there and consider Domain.ME. One of the biggest mistakes people make when launching their website is adding hyphens and getting creative with spellings in order to find an available .com. That’s part of why .ME domains are so great – there is a much larger pool of clever available domain names – while having all the same SEO benefits and value as the more traditional domains, such as a .COM.
Domain.ME is a domain name provider that allows you to create a unique, safe identity online with a domain ending in .ME. They operate as a B2B, which means that people can register a domain name through one of 190 accredited registrars that operate as .ME resellers.
Explore available names and the world of .ME domains through the convenient widget below.
[dotme_search size=”responsive”][/dotme_search]
Check Social Media
Once you think you have landed on a name, I highly suggest you check social media handles. You will most likely want to have social media accounts for your site and should make sure those names are available as well. While this is not a deal breaker, it might change your mind about your decision.
I hope that these tips really help you choose a name for your site. You can also check out my post about “How to Start a Blog” for more information and tips!