When it comes to the web, the URL name is everything. It’s how people find you, search engines rank you and the world remembers your brand. A bad name will snuff the digital life right from your hands. But, a great one propels just another search engine into Google. Or an instant message service into the micro-blogging powerhouse known as Twitter. Make no mistake, the name is crucial to the success of the IP. Invest in getting it right.
Turning advice into action:
- Never choose a URL that is different from your brand name
- If you own the terms in the URL name, you’ll rank higher
- Made-up words with meaning are great, but awkward gibberish is not
- Literal words are not as sexy, but often a better choice for startup brands
- Make sure the URL is easy to spell and makes sense as an email account
And less specific but just as important — conduct research, be creative, trust your gut and test the name before launch. The best name is out there somewhere…
