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How to Choose an Effective Domain Name

November 3, 2017 By Scott Fichter Leave a Comment

The 800-Pound Gorilla is .COM

What Are The Best Top Level Domains (TLDs)?

Before understanding how to choose an effective domain name you must first understand which TLDs are most valuable. The list below is written with the assumption that the domain name represents a commercial business. This domain list of value is called a domain fallback hierarchy.

Domain Name Fallback Hierarchy of Value

Fallback HierarchyThe following describes the most recognizable TLD naming convention.  #1 Is the best and value drops off from there. The list explains TLDs from most recognizable to least.

  1. .COM Short Word No Dash  –  This is the 800-pound Gorilla of TLDs. If you find a short (under six to eight characters) one, buy it right away and keep it forever.
  2. .NET Short Word No Dash –  This is an excellent fallback.  It’s fully recognized and acceptable.
  3. .COM Two Short Words No Dash –  Make sure words are not too long. RedDog is good RedPneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis  NOT GOOD, yes that’s a word.
  4. .COM Two Short Words One Dash
  5. .NET Two Short Words No Dash
  6. .NET Two Short Words No Dash
  7. .BIZ Short Word No Dash.
  8. .COM Three Words No Dash – The shorter the total characters the better.  Do The Words Have a ring to them?  For Example BlueToothBreakdown.com  It’s long but it rings.
  9. .COM Three Words With Dashes – Keep those characters short.

Do you agree with this fallback Hierarchy? Reply Below.

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Below is a Working Example of a Fallback Hierarchy of Value for “Joe’s Automotive”

  1. joes.com – If this was available it would be worth THOUSANDS of dollars.
  2. joes.net
  3. joesautomotive.com
  4. joes-automotive.com
  5. joesautomotive.net
  6. joes-automotive.net
  7. joes.biz
  8. joesautomotiverepair.com
  9. joes-automotive-repair.com – The Word “Automotive” is long for this one.  The users should consider “Car” or “Auto” for three words with dashes.

Dynadot Searches Domain Names For YouAfter creating your list check them all at one time by visiting Dynadot.   Dynadot will check availability on all the domains all at one time. Aweseom eh?  Don’t forget to check off “I entered complete domain names with TLDs.”

No Success? Try A Few New Words Like:

  1. Joes Car Automotive
  2. Joes Car Repair
  3. Joes Repair
  4. Joes Car Fix
  5. Joes Garage
  6. Joes Car Garage
  7. Joes Automotive Garage

Each name above will be tested against the .com .net with dashes / without dashes hierarchy system explained above.


If after testing these names you still don’t get positive results it’s time to go farther with descriptive names. Below reviews three websites that will help with name suggestions.

1. Cool Domain Name IdeasCoolnameideas.com: Excellent for the person who has naming flexibility. The site asks for keywords and things like business benefits, style, and type. Answering these questions will modify the returned list. Clicked suggested names will display if the name is available as a .com and let you know if the name is available as a Twitter handle.

2. Domain Name SoupDomainnamesoup.com: This site allows you to enter words and it returns suggestions. The site will let you see if .com and .us are available. It also has a “Wizard” button that remixes your submitted words. You can continue to remix words with the “Wizard” button until you find the name you want.

Still No Joy? – Consider Fivver For Help On How to Choose an Effective Domain Name

FiverrYou can hire help at fivver.com to do the work for you but make damn sure the person your hiring is of solid character. They could be a domain squatter in sheep’s clothing. They could buy the domain you’re looking for right out from underneath you. Execute due diligence!

Do you agree on this these techniques on how to choose an effective domain name? I’d like your opinion on it? I’d be especially interested in what you think about future awareness of longer TLDs. Will they ever be recognized? Would it make sense to buy them? Reply below.

I hope this helps you with your website venture.

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