Maybe you are starting a new business, a new ministry or new a blog. Then you need a web site, right? Well you will have to pick a domain name – that’s the URL or address of the web site. So I wanted to provide this short guide to help you pick a really bad domain name. I hope this helps!
1. Make It Super Long
I would say a good solid 20 character minimum is needed to make your domain truly obnoxious and impossible to remember. If you need more to add, just add a suffix like “4you” or “online” to the end of a perfectly good URL to make it longer.
2. Chose One Unrelated to Your Name
Be sure no one has any idea what your web site is based on the domain name alone. This would make your brand more memorable and make your web site easier to find.
3. Avoid the .com Extension
Go with a .net, .biz, .site, .me, .church or some other obscure domain extension. I would say the “.org” is a little bit too commonplace too, so avoid that one as well. Whatever you do, don’t chose yourbrandname.com – it’s just too easy!
4. Use Lots of Dashes or Underscores
My professional recommendation is to use a dash or underscore between every single word in your domain name. Lots of dashes are needed because hopefully a normal domain name for your organization is already taken since your name is generic (see point #5 below).
5. Don’t Re-brand Your Generic Name
Even if there are already ten other Harvest Church’s in your town, whatever you do, don’t change your name to be unique! And if there is a .com domain name available for your organization, then you know it’s too unique (ie. weird) and memorable. Make sure your organization’s name stays super bland so you have to get a weird domain extension (see point #3).
6. Pay Way Too Much For It
Make sure you pay the highest possible price for your awkward domain name. Whatever you do, don’t get a free domain when you sign up at Bluehost!! Plus then after you join Bluehost, domains are only $11.99/year. You want to find somewhere a lot more expensive to get your domains.