Choosing a domain name: 7 tips for the perfect name
Choosing a good domain name is one of the most important steps when starting a website. The process of choosing a domain name determines how visitors find and remember you online. Read more about the .me domain name.
Your domain name is the address of your website and often also of your email addresses. A good domain name is easy to remember, type and spell. But how do you choose the perfect name? These seven tips will help you on your way. Read more about the .online domain name.
Why your domain name is important?
Your domain name is often the first thing people see of your business or project. It is your online identity and helps determine the first impression. A good domain name:
- Is easy to remember
- Is simple to spell and type
- Gives an idea of what you do or who you are
- Builds trust
- Helps with your findability in search engines
1. Keep it short and simple
Short domain names are easier to remember, type and share. Aim for a maximum of 15 characters. The shorter, the better.
Compare: bakeryjohnsonamsterdam.nl versus bakeryjohnson.nl
The second option is much easier to remember and less prone to typing errors.
2. Make it easy to spell
Avoid words that are often misspelled. If you tell someone your domain name, that person should be able to write it down correctly right away.
Therefore avoid:
- Words with alternative spellings that people confuse
- Words with double letters that people are unsure about
- Foreign words that people often misspell
- Numbers that can be confused with letters (0 vs O, 1 vs l)
3. Avoid hyphens and numbers
Hyphens and numbers make your domain name harder to remember and communicate. "my-website-2024.nl" does not sound professional and is difficult to pass on over the phone.
The only time a hyphen is acceptable is when the word without a hyphen would be confusing. For example: therapy-the-hague.nl is clearer than therapythehague.nl.
4. Use relevant keywords
If it fits, incorporate a relevant keyword into your domain name. This can help with your findability in search engines.
Examples:
- plumber-utrecht.nl: clear what you do and where
- cheapcarinsurance.nl: contains exactly what people search for
Do not overdo it: a domain name full of keywords looks spammy and is hard to remember. cheapcarinsurancecompareonline.nl works against you.
5. Choose the right extension
For Dutch businesses and projects, .nl is the best choice. It builds trust with Dutch visitors and signals to Google that you are targeting the Dutch market.
Other options:
- .nl: for Dutch businesses, by far the best choice
- .com: internationally recognizable, a good second option
- .eu: for European-oriented businesses
- .online, .shop, .tech: newer extensions, less familiar
If you can, register both the .nl and the .com variant to prevent someone else from registering them.
6. Check availability and trademark rights
Before you lose your heart to a domain name:
- Check whether the domain is available
- Check whether the name is not already a registered trademark
- Search for existing businesses with the same or a similar name
- Check the availability of social media handles
If you choose a name that resembles an existing brand, you can run into legal problems and may be forced to give up your domain.
7. Think about the future
Choose a name that grows with your business. If you only make websites now but might also develop apps later, johnsonswebsites.nl is too limiting.
Also avoid overly specific locations if you have plans to expand. paintingcompany-amsterdam.nl no longer works if you also start working in Utrecht.
Brainstorming tips
Cannot figure it out? Try these techniques:
- Write down twenty names without thinking about availability
- Combine words that fit your business
- Ask friends and family which name sticks best
- Sleep on it before you register
- Say the name out loud, does it sound good?
Registering a domain name
Have you found the perfect name? Then it is time to register. Check availability and register your domain right away, good names are snapped up quickly.
Brainstorming a domain name
Finding the perfect domain name starts with brainstorming. Here are techniques that help:
Combining keywords
Write down words related to your business, product or service. Combine them in different ways. "Bikes" + "Amsterdam" = bikesamsterdam.nl or amsterdambikes.nl.
Using synonyms
If your favorite name is taken, try synonyms. "Cheap" can become "budget", "low-cost", or "affordable". Sometimes this produces an even better name.
Domain generators
Tools such as LeanDomainSearch, Nameboy or NameMesh suggest available variations based on your input. Handy for coming up with ideas you had not thought of yourself.
Checking availability
Before you fall in love with a name, check availability:
- The domain itself (via any registrar)
- Trademark (Benelux Office for Intellectual Property for NL/BE)
- Social media usernames (@name on relevant platforms)
- Existing company names (Chamber of Commerce register)
You do not want to build a website and later find out that someone else has already registered the name as a trademark.
How do you choose an extension?
After the name you choose the extension. These are the considerations:
For the Netherlands: .nl
The default choice for Dutch businesses and websites. Dutch people trust .nl and Google gives it a small boost for Dutch searches.
.com as backup
If you can also get .com, register it as well for brand protection. You can redirect it to your .nl or use it later for international expansion.
New extensions
Extensions such as .shop, .blog or .amsterdam can be creative but are less well known. People automatically type .nl or .com after names.
Avoiding mistakes
These domain name blunders are worth avoiding:
- Too generic: "best-products.nl" says nothing specific
- Too long: hard to remember and type
- Resembles a competitor: confusing and possibly legally problematic
- Difficult spelling: foreign words or unusual spellings
- Negative associations: letters that together form unintended words
Read your domain name out loud and write it down without seeing it. If others spell or pronounce it wrong, choose something else.
Finding the perfect domain name
Finding the perfect domain name takes time and effort, but it is worth the investment. Your domain name is the first thing people see and remember about your online presence.
Take these steps:
- Brainstorm broadly, write down all ideas without judging
- Filter by criteria, short, spellable, relevant, available
- Check availability, domain, social media, trademark
- Test with others, can they remember it and spell it correctly?
- Register quickly, good names are registered continuously
A good domain name is an investment in your brand that pays off for years.
Finding the perfect domain name takes time and thought, but it is an investment that pays off for years. Your domain name is often the first thing people see of your business, in emails, on business cards, in advertisements. A good name sticks and is easy to pass on. Take your time, brainstorm several options and test them with friends and family. The right choice makes the difference for your online success.
Your domain name is your address on the internet. Choose with care and think about the long term, you do not want to move every few years.
Your domain name is your digital identity. Choose wisely, because moving to another name takes effort.
At Theory7 you can register your domain name right away. We support all popular extensions and your domain is active within minutes.
How do you compare choosing a domain name: extensions?
When choosing a domain name, the extension is an important decision. Each extension has its own pros and cons.
| Extension | Best for | Trust | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .nl | Dutch businesses | Very high in NL | Good | €8-12/year |
| .com | International | Universally high | Limited | €10-15/year |
| .eu | European | Medium | Good | €7-10/year |
| .shop | Web shops | Growing | Very good | €10-30/year |
| .tech | Technology | Niche | Very good | €5-40/year |
How do you make a checklist for the domain name?
Use this checklist when choosing a domain name to make the best choice for your project:
- Length: keep it under 15 characters for optimal recognizability
- Pronounceability: can you easily pass it on over the phone?
- Misspellings: is there a chance of common typos? Register those too.
- Keywords: does it contain relevant search terms for your industry?
- Trademark rights: check the Benelux trademark register before you register
- Social media: is the same name available on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn?
- Expandability: does the name still work if your business grows or changes direction?
Check the availability of your favorite name via our domain name checker. Once you have chosen, you can register your domain name at Theory7.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a domain name
Is it smart to use keywords in my domain name?
A relevant keyword can help, but do not overdo it. A name like “cheap-hosting-netherlands.nl” looks spammy. It is better to combine your brand name with a subtle keyword. Quality and branding are more important than keyword stuffing.
Should I choose a .nl or .com extension?
If you target the Dutch market, choose .nl. It builds more trust with Dutch visitors and helps with local SEO. Choose .com if you operate internationally. When in doubt: register both and have .com redirect to .nl.
What if my desired domain name is already taken?
You can try to buy the domain through the current owner, choose an alternative extension, or come up with a variation. For example, add a word that describes your service or use an abbreviation of your company name.
Choosing a domain name: the registration process
Once you have finished choosing a domain name, registering it is simple. With most registrars you go through these steps: search for the desired name, check availability, choose your registration period (1-10 years), enter your contact details, and complete the payment. Your domain is then active within minutes.
First check whether your name is available via the domain name checker. Once you have registered your domain, link it to your web hosting to put your website online. Read all about domain names at Theory7 for the best prices and support.
What are common mistakes when choosing a domain name?
When choosing a domain name, mistakes are regularly made that are difficult to fix later. Prevent these pitfalls by thinking carefully about your choice in advance.
Names that are too long or complex
A common mistake when choosing a domain name is choosing a name that is too long or too complicated. Preferably keep your domain name shorter than 15 characters and avoid hyphens and numbers. When choosing a domain name the rule is: the simpler, the better.
Choosing a domain name is a decision that stays with you for years. Take your time, use our domain name checker to check availability, and choose a name that fits your brand perfectly. A well-chosen domain name is the foundation for a successful online presence.
Choosing a domain name: avoiding common mistakes
When choosing a domain name, the same mistakes are made regularly. The most common mistake is registering a domain name that is too long. Research shows that domain names of at most 15 characters score best in terms of typing ease and memorability. Also avoid the use of hyphens where possible, because these are often forgotten when typing an address. Another common problem is choosing a name that resembles an existing brand too much. This can cause legal problems and confusion for visitors.
Also pay attention to the pronounceability of your domain name. If you tell someone the name over the phone, they should be able to write it down correctly right away. Test this by telling your desired name to five people and seeing whether they note it correctly. In addition, avoid numbers and abbreviations that have multiple spellings. The word "and" versus the character "&" or the number "4" versus the word "four" are classic pitfalls.
A final common mistake is not registering variants of your domain name. If you register mycompany.nl for example, also consider registering my-company.nl and mycompany.com. This prevents competitors or cybersquatters from claiming these variants. At Theory7 you can easily manage multiple domains from a single dashboard.
Choosing a domain name and SEO: the direct influence on findability
Your domain name has a direct influence on your findability in search engines. Although Google emphasizes that content quality is most important, the domain name still plays a role in your overall SEO strategy. A domain name that contains your most important keyword gives users immediate context about the content of your website. This increases the click-through rate in search results, which indirectly improves your rankings.
The choice of your domain extension also affects local SEO. For Dutch businesses targeting the Dutch market, a .nl extension is generally the best choice. Google automatically associates .nl domains with the Dutch market, which gives a small advantage in local search results. For international businesses a .com extension is the standard.
Do not forget that your domain name also strengthens your brand identity. A strong, recognizable domain name is shared more often on social media and other websites, which leads to more backlinks and thereby better rankings. So invest time in choosing a name that is both memorable and search-engine friendly. Read more about the influence of your domain name on SEO.
Theory7 is an official SIDN registrar and official EURid registrar. As an accredited registrar you register domain names directly at the source, without an intermediary. This gives you faster processing times and full control over your domain management.
Checklist for choosing the perfect domain name
Use the checklist below to make sure you choose the right domain name for your project. Go through each point before you register for good.
- Check the length: Is the name shorter than 15 characters? The shorter, the easier to remember.
- Pronunciation test: Say the name out loud. Does everyone understand right away what you mean?
- Spelling check: Are multiple spellings possible? Then register all variants.
- Trademark check: Search the Benelux trademark register to see whether the name is already protected.
- Social media: Is the name available on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn?
- Extension choice: Choose .nl for the Netherlands, .com for international, or an industry-specific extension.
- Future-proof: Does the name still fit if your business grows or the offering changes?
- WHOIS check: Check via a WHOIS lookup whether the domain is really available.
After going through this checklist, you can register your domain name with confidence. Take your time for this step, because changing a domain name after launch is costly and bad for your online reputation.
Choosing a domain name for different purposes
The ideal domain name differs per type of project. For a personal blog or portfolio you can choose a domain name based on your own name. This builds your personal brand identity and is future-proof, regardless of the direction your career takes. For a business website it is advisable to take the company name as a basis, possibly supplemented with a descriptive element.
When choosing a domain name for a web shop, it is smart to choose a name that reflects the product range. Customers searching for specific products find your website faster if the domain name contains relevant terms. Also consider whether you want to expand your assortment in the future and choose a name that is broad enough. For local businesses, adding a place name can be beneficial for local SEO, for example bakeramsterdam.nl or plumberrotterdam.nl.
For temporary projects such as events or campaigns, you can choose a descriptive domain name that makes clear right away what it is about. After the event you can redirect the domain to your main website to keep the link value you have built up. Also read our article on your own domain name for more background on domain name registration.
Summary: the golden rules when choosing a domain name
A good domain name is short, memorable and free of hyphens or numbers. Always choose a .nl extension for the Dutch market and register variants to protect your brand. Take your time for this decision, because your domain name is the foundation of your online identity. By systematically going through the checklist above and avoiding the common mistakes, you make a choice that you will enjoy for years. Do not forget to register your chosen domain name right away once you have made a final choice, because popular names are snapped up quickly.
