“Why are all the good domain names already taken?”
They aren’t. You just have to know how to create a great domain name that is available. If you want to get a great domain name for your new website or e-business, you’ve got to get creative. Here are a few methods I recommend you try to find the perfect domain name for a new website.
For the purpose of this article, we will assume you are starting a new e-commerce site selling widgets.
The Basics: Keyword-Based Domains
These are the easy, desirable names that are typically taken – names like buywidgets.com, widget.com, greenwidgets, com, etc. You can try different variations, but in most niches you’ll need to get a little more creative to find an available name.
1. Communicate The Concept, Not The Keyword
Brainstorm and create a list of concepts that might be relevant to your website. Get away from keywords, product names, and other obvious words. Two great examples of this are DeskAway and BaseCamp, both project management platforms. Both names convey the concept of project management software, without using the common keywords.
2. Keyword + Description Word
Start with your main keyword, plus a word that describes your website. Since your website is an online store, start with the words “widget” + “store”. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for both words, then combine them to find possible domain names. Examples: widgetshop.com, widgetmarket.com, widgetemporium.com, thingyshop.com, etc.
3. Keyword + Generic Word
Start with your keyword, plus a generic word that could be relevant to your website. For example, start with the words “widget” + “planet”. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for both words, then combine them to find possible domain names. Examples: widgetworld.com, widgetcapital.com, widgetwizard.com, etc.
4. Cropped Words
Some words that you find in your searches may be suitable to use in a shortened format. For example, emporium could be shortened, creating widgetporium.com
5. Modified Words
Other words may be suitable to be modified. For example, you could create variations on the word “widget” to create domain names such as widgety.com, widgee.com, widjet.com, etc.
6. Combined Words
Try combining, slicing, dicing, and rearranging words to create entirely new words. For example, “red” = “widget” could create “redget.com”. Be careful what words you create and what they may mean to website visitors from other countries or cultures.
7. Dead Words
Latin, Gaelic and other seldom-used languages can be a great resource for creative names. Find relevant words in these languages, and see if they might be suitable to use in creating a new word or phrase. Look for words that are easily pronounced and sound neat.
8. New Words
You can also impersonate Noah Webster and just create new words. Who ever heard of a google before Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google? Create a new word and the brand is yours to own and build!
Lin Edwards the chief content and technical writer for SmallBusiness-Domain, a website offering articles and reviews related to domain names and web hosting. They also offer a directory of coupons and discounts, including GoDaddy Promo Codes.
