Here is my Top Five list for creating a domain name with search engine optimization in mind:
- Keyword Rich: The search engines look at anchor text to determine the subject of a webpage. Chances are that someone will post a link to your site with just the URL instead of using anchor text. In this case it only benefits your site when your URL contains your most important keywords.
- Easy to Remember: You would like your clients to remember your site, right? Using your initials or a location’s nickname that only “insiders” know may be difficult for buyers and sellers to remember and unlikely that people would search for those terms. Wilson’s Web has a good example of this.
- Brandable: Your website is a reflection of your service and your brand. Don’t make it too generic. You are unique!
- Top Level Domain: Like Joel Jonathan says on SEOmoz, “.com domain names are king.” Although there is nothing wrong with other domains like .org or .net, .com is easiest to remember.
- Creative: Is your first-choice domain name taken? Get creative and think of something that meets these five criteria. Think of synonyms or slight variations until you find something that is available.
