Selecting Your Domain Name – Part 1

Created with Tagxedo

1. Keyword Research

Before selecting your domain name, do your keyword research by going to Google Keyword Planner. (You’ll need to create a Google AdWords account with your Gmail login.)

Once you are signed in, select the first option: “Search for keyword and ad group ideas”. If your products or services have a geographical limit, remember to specify the location.

How you search will depend on the objectives of your website. You may just want to find out which terms get the most searches. For example, in my case “web designers” received more searches than “website designers”.

For more ideas try these keyword suggestion tools: Ubersuggest or soovle.

I’ve found it very useful to create a word cloud of my keywords and pin it where I can see it whilst writing for my site, like the graphic at the top of this post.

Two word cloud generators to have fun with are: Wordle or Tagxedo

These tools will help you focus on this objective through digging around and playing with the words.

How to get ideas for your best keywords:

1. Model your mentor or someone’s work your admire.

2. Brainstorm a list of keywords.

3.Check out your competitors or colleagues.

4. Pretend you are your ideal client or customer – what words would you type into Google to find your website? What words would your client use to find you? What are the commonly used words to find your service or products?

5. Check out your Google Analytics whilst information on your keywords is still available.

Choose your top ten keywords and use them naturally as you add content to your website. Your keywords are vital to your marketing.

Decide if you want to use your main keywords in your domain name. The SEO (Search Engine Optimization) experts say this isn’t as important these days. However, you know your clients and customers the best. What will give you the best results?

Here’s more to consider since Google introduced their latest search algorithm update at the end of September, 2013:

Next week we’ll cover Part 2 of Selecting Your Domain Name. Till then, keep creating your best work with enthusiasm and care and you’ll be richly rewarded.

Love to see your word clouds. Please post a link to yours in the comments below.