Choosing your website name is a big decision that should be given a lot of thought. So many bloggers, including myself have regretted their blog names over time. We all grow as bloggers and sometimes our names make it hard for our sites to grow along with us!
Things to Consider:
Made up words: “Amazeballtasticness Recipes” might sound cool at the time, but it will get old and it will be hard to tell people about in conversation.
Long URLs: Remember that your website name should also be your URL. www.my-son-dog-dad-and-I-love-pizza-so-much.com is pretty long and obnoxious to type out.
Hard to spell: You want to be able to tell a person about your site and have them easily go home and type it in. If they require a dictionary on how to spell it, that’s one more obstacle to prevent them from visiting.
Word variations: Goes along with above. Words like momma, where it can be spelled mama, moma, momma, mumma, whatever… it’s easy for people to mix up.
Future relevance: If your website name has “baby” in it, how relevant will that be down the road? Unless you keep on having them, that baby will grow… quickly!
I have talked to a few blogger friends about this and they really struggle with it. It’s hard to relevantly grow and change with certain keywords in your blog.
Another example is the name of my first blog, Sweep Tight. The word “Sweep” makes people think sweepstakes. Although we do post sweepstakes over there, it’s not all we do. Don’t pigeonhole yourself too much.
Choosing a Good Website Name:
Niche specific: If you are completely committed to the niche of your site, go for a clear cut name of what your blog is about. Keep it short, simple, and catchy. Ask friends and family what they might search for in that particular niche for keyword ideas.
Brand-worthy: I love when I see a creative blog name that is just two random words that sound great together. This unique name can eventually be “your brand” and be immediately recognizable by your fans.
Your name: This can be a safe bet. I guess if you have a super common name it’s not good. Also, there’s risk of name change due to marriage or divorce.
I purchased my name in a domain name and plan to make it kind of like a resume site. I wanted a main connection to my name from my other blogs. Your name can work for any type of blog though. After all, it’s your blog!
If you plan to sell the website down the line, or are interested in flipping websites, I suggest using a niche specific URL with a dot com.
Keyword Rich: Do some keyword research (affiliate link) before choosing your name to get a head start on your SEO strategy.
I should add that I have never been in love with any of my naming choices. Not sure if I should even be giving advice. But, these are some of the considerations that I have learned along the way. 😉
If you have a site, how did you choose your website name? Are you still happy with it?
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
My website has been with me since I can remember. I love how it fit with what I do. It can also be interpreted in different ways. So, I’m happy with it!
Jennifer says
Yes, I love the name of your site! Definitely a great choice!! 🙂 I kick myself daily for the “Sweep” in Sweep Tight. :/ Not sure about this name yet either!
Amber Edwards says
These are great tips. I have seen some blogs go through so many rebranding issues because they pick obscure and long names that make it hard for anyone to remember them or find them.
Jennifer says
Me too! And rebranding seems like quite the process! 🙁
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my blog name, but A LOT of people don’t get it.
Ellen Christian says
I totally wish I read this before picking my website name. As much as I love it, it’s really long.
Amanda A says
all good tips!
susan says
These are some great tips, if I choose to re-brand I will have to keep these tips in mind, thanks.
Katy Rawson says
I have found that thinking up a good name for a blog can be more stressful and complicated than building the blog itself. I agree with you suggestions. You blog’s name should be easy to remember and convenient to type out. Give it some thought.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos says
Great tips, I can’t even remember why I picked mine. I still love it but always wonder if there was a better name that I didn’t think of at the time.
Meagan says
Great tips! I’m sure that naming a website can be a daunting task!
Janel says
These are really good tips! I tell people to exclude “mom” from their blog name now. You can be a “mom blog” without being stuck to that set image non stop.
Pam says
Great tips! Definitely want it to be easy and no too limiting! I like the idea of asking others what they would search for!
Shauna says
Such great tips… I know of a blog that I can’t even pronounce, let alone spell… ha… I also suggest checking social sites for that name, so that you can have the same name on all sites (FB, Twitter, G+, and blog) so it is easy to find and search!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
I have to laugh at this post because if I could do it all over again I would have picked a different name. I started off as Mama to 3 Blessings when I had 3 kids then when I had 4 kids I changed it to Mama to 4 BLessings, now we have 5 and it’s Mama to 5 Blessings, wonder if we will have a 6th and it will be Mama to 6 Blessings!
Jennifer says
LOL! Mama to Several Blessings. 😉 Was it difficult to change your URL? Lots of redirecting…?
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
These are great tips! I feel like I ran through this list to avoid trapping myself in a parenting niche if it’s something I want to branch from!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom says
Great tips! Definitely something that should be considered prior to beginning a website.
Jenn @ The Rebel Chick says
You’ve got some great points to consider. I love my sites’s name!
Brett Martin says
This is a great article. Anyone considering starting a site should see this before choosing a site name.
Krista says
I wish I would have read this before I chose my name 🙂
kristin says
Great advice here for people looking to create new sites. Great article!
Liz Mays says
Yes, every single website that uses a version of mama I get confused with. I can’t remember who spells it which way!
Bobbie says
I agree with your tips. I recently rebranded because my blog (One Scrappy Mom) was more into my niche of scrapbooking and crafts. My kids are older now and I don’t do as many crafts and scrapbooking is a real hobby that I do many 4 times a year or when I am stressed out. So my new blog (Think Talk Blog) covers everything under the sun and I am confident that this will be a perfect name until I STOP blogging all together.