Domain name SEO best practices can improve your website’s visibility in search results and deliver many additional benefits to your site. A strong, trustworthy domain name will result in higher rankings, better user engagement, and more organic traffic to your website.
This guide will show you the proven best practices for domain name SEO. We’ll also go over other issues and considerations for making a strong domain name decision that will serve your business well for years.
Use Relevant Keywords
The easiest way to make your domain SEO-friendly is to include relevant keywords. A keyword-rich domain name makes it easy for search engines to discover and understand your content.
Example: a domain name like weddingphotography.com or smithphotography.com is instantly more descriptive than abcstudio.com.
- Include one or two high-value keywords (not more).
- Keywords should match the search intent of your audience.
- Make sure the resulting domain name is easy to read and pronounce.
Keep It Concise and Memorable
Your domain name should be short, easy to type, speak, and share. A concise name is less likely to be mistyped and more likely to be bookmarked and remembered by users. This will help increase direct traffic to your website and improve brand awareness.
SEO benefit: memorable domain names tend to have a higher click-through rate and can even influence engagement metrics such as session duration and bounce rate.
Avoid Hyphens and Numbers
Domain names that include hyphens or numbers are less trustworthy and credible to both search engines and users. Hyphenated and numeric domains tend to look spammy and unprofessional, and have a higher risk of mistyped URLs.
Examples to avoid: best-website-design-123.com or design4u.com
Better alternatives: bestwebdesign.com or designstudio.com
Pick a Smart Top-Level Domain (TLD)
The TLD or “extension” can have an impact on both brand recognition and SEO.
- For global or US websites, use
.com - Consider a country-specific TLD like
.ca,.uk, or.inif you are targeting local audiences. - If applicable, a niche-specific TLD like
.photographyor.techmight also be appropriate.
Avoid Trademark Infringement
Registering a domain name that is too similar to an existing trademark can get you into legal trouble. An infringing domain name is also less trustworthy and credible and can negatively impact your SEO.
- Search the USPTO database or your country’s trademark registry.
- Do a simple Google search to check for brand names.
- If you are unsure, it is recommended to check with a trademark lawyer before you buy a domain name.
Use Geographical Targeting
If your business is local or targets a specific region, you may want to consider using geographical keywords in your domain name.
Example: A restaurant in NYC might get value from NYCrestaurant.com or ManhattanBistro.com
Avoid Keyword Stuffing and Over-Optimisation
Keyword stuffing is both outdated and penalised by modern search engines. A domain name that appears too spammy and optimised is unlikely to rank in search results.
Example of spammy domain: bestcheapaffordablewebdesignservices.com
SEO tip: focus on clarity and trust. Keep your domain name simple, natural-sounding, and memorable for the best long-term results.
Brandability and Uniqueness
A brandable domain name will help you stand out and build a strong and recognisable online brand presence.
- Unique and doesn’t sound similar to a competitor’s domain.
- Easy to pronounce, read, and spell.
- Inspires trust or curiosity in the user.
Examples: Spotify.com, Etsy.com, or Canva.com
Use HTTPS for Encryption
Domain name SEO doesn’t just relate to the name itself, but to the hosting behind the name. As of 2023, HTTPS encryption is a confirmed Google ranking factor.
- HTTPS improves Google rankings.
- Builds trust with users.
- Encrypts your data to protect it during transfer.
Maintain Domain Name Consistency
Consistency across all platforms and services is important for reinforcing your domain name in the minds of users and search engines.
- Use your domain name for social media handles, directories, and email addresses.
- Ensure your Google Business Profile and other local citations are consistent with your domain name.
Set Canonicalization Correctly
If there are multiple versions of your site (www, non-www, subdomains), make sure to set a canonical version.
- Use redirects to force all versions to point to a single preferred domain.
- Use canonical tags in your HTML code.
- Configure canonical domains within your CMS or SEO plugin.
Monitor Performance and Analytics
Track the impact of your domain name on SEO and user behaviour using analytics tools. Monitoring site performance will keep you informed about how your site is performing and any areas for improvement.
- Monitor organic traffic, keyword ranking positions, and backlinks.
- Use analytics tools such as Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
- Make ongoing adjustments to your domain name strategy based on user engagement data and SEO performance.
Conclusion
Your domain name is the foundation of your entire SEO strategy. It is much more than just your site’s address on the internet. Your domain is your brand identity and a top ranking factor for search engines.
Domain name SEO best practices can help you improve the visibility of your site in search results, attract more organic traffic to your website, and build a trusted online presence for your brand.
Use the best practices listed in this article to make an informed domain decision and follow a plan to continuously improve domain performance. Choose wisely and always prioritise user experience.
