The first steps in building a new website are deciding on a domain name and completing your domain registration.
Your domain name plays a vital role in the success of your business. An excellent domain name will intrigue potential visitors and stick in people’s minds long after they visit the website.
With the Bluehost domain name search tool, you can make the process of brainstorming a website name idea, searching, and choosing your domain name a whole lot easier.
Ready to get inspired? Here’s our guide to Bluehost domain search.
What we’ll discuss today:
- Why having a great website name idea matters
- What makes an exceptional website name idea
- A guide to using Bluehost domain name search
The Importance of an Exceptional Website Name Idea
Your domain name (also known as your web address) may seem relatively inconsequential in comparison to the design and content of your website. However, your domain name can make a big difference when it comes to your website’s success.
A good website name idea can become a substantial aspect of how your brand performs on search engines. Domain names can affect your SEO (search engine optimization) performance, so a great domain name will help you rank well in searches.
An excellent domain can also help you develop a stronger online presence. If you have a memorable, catchy domain name with a professional domain name extension, you’re far more likely to stick in people’s minds and become a widely trusted, respected website.
Features That Make a Great Domain Name
Before we discuss using Bluehost domain name search to find a domain and complete your domain registration, here are a few tips on choosing a great domain name.
Domain Name Length
Try to keep your domain name relatively short. The longer your domain, the harder it will be to read and to remember. As more domain names are created, some businesses have opted for longer domains as they are all that seem to be available.
However, according to DataGenetics, domain names that are shorter tend to receive more web traffic. The most common length tends to be around 12 characters, and ideally, the length should be between six and 14 characters.
Domain Name Suffix
The domain name suffix is the extension that follows your domain name. Common domain suffixes include .com, .net, and .org. These are also called “top-level domains,” or TLDs. While .com is the most trusted TLD, others can be just as useful for certain businesses.
There’s a wide range of domain extensions that can offer more specificity for your company, such as .biz, or .info.
There are also second-level domains or geo-location domains that indicate location, such as .co.uk.
Some new business owners select a random domain name suffix when the .com version of their preferred domain isn’t available. However, it can be important to choose a suitable suffix.
Statista reports that 51.6% of websites use a .com TLD. Many marketers also believe that having a .com domain name can help with SEO.
However, in some cases, choosing a relevant suffix can also be a good first step if the .com is unavailable when you complete your domain registration. After all, as your company grows, you may be able to acquire the .com later.
Choose a Memorable Domain Name
Your domain name length and your domain suffix can help make your domain more memorable. But there are other ways you can encourage visitors to remember your domain (and thus be more likely to type it into the search bar correctly next time):
- Avoid using hyphens
- Keep it close to your business name
- Avoid unnecessary numbers
- Use words that are easy to pronounce and spell
- Make sure it’s unique
Keep It Professional
Try to keep your website name ideas professional. Even if you don’t have much of a reputation in your industry, a professional-sounding domain name can make visitors think you’re a well-established company.
Protect Your New Brand
Unfortunately, as your company grows, other young companies may try to capitalize on your success by snapping up similar domain names.
We recommend buying several domain extensions and some common misspellings of your domain name to prevent your competitors from taking them.
Check for Copyright Issues
Avoid getting into legal trouble by researching your chosen domain name before you complete the domain registration. Just because a domain name is available doesn’t always mean that another business with the same name doesn’t already exist.
Try searching your website name idea in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to quickly double-check that your domain name isn’t trademarked.
Consider Keywords
Your domain name can help draw in organic traffic through SEO. If you can, try to incorporate relevant keywords into your domain name if that makes sense for your business.
For instance, if you’re hoping to add a few extra alternate domain names to help with SEO and you run a website that sells jeans, you could try domain names like:
- Straightleggedjeans.com
- Retromomjeans.com
- Acidwashjeans.com
Curious to find out how likely your domain name is to improve your ranking? Try the Moz Domain Authority checker for free.
How To Use the Bluehost Domain Search Tool
Using the Bluehost domain name search feature is a great way to find an exceptional domain name and complete the domain registration within minutes. This step-by-step guide will show you how to use it.
Search For Domain Names
Begin by heading to the Bluehost domain search page. Here, you’ll be able to search for a new domain name, purchase and complete the domain registration, and link it to a Bluehost hosting package.
To begin the Bluehost domain search process, simply type in your ideal domain name in the search bar. Not sure what you want your domain name to be? Type in your best website name idea, and you’ll get a list of suggestions.
Choose the Perfect Domain Name From the List
After you type in your ideal domain name, you’ll be taken to a list of Bluehost domain search suggestions. If your preferred name is available, you’ll be able to add it straight to your shopping cart.
At this stage in the Bluehost domain search, you’ll also see a tick box that says Add Domain Privacy + Protection for each domain. This option ensures your personal information will never be listed publically in the WHOIS database.
We’ll keep personal details and contact information, such as your name, address, phone number, and email address protected. Find out more about the importance of domain privacy protection.
If your preferred domain name is unavailable, you’ll see a list of alternative suggestions.
Here’s a simple guide on how to choose the best possible option:
Add Web Hosting and Other Add-Ons
Once you’ve added a domain name (or several) to your cart, you’ll have the option to choose Bluehost as your hosting provider.
With our free 30-day trial, you can try out Bluehost before committing to it. Plus, you’ll get to manage your website and your domain from the same control panel.
You’ll also be given the option to add a Microsoft email plan so you can create emails that match your domain.
Claim Domain Name
Claim your chosen domain name by registering it in your name in the Bluehost domain search. Once you’ve purchased your domain and completed the domain registration, it’s all yours.
Many businesses like to claim domain names for future use, while others plan on using the domain name immediately. Whichever you choose, claiming the domain name is the only way to secure it.
How To Register a New Domain Name as a Bluehost Customer
If you already have a Bluehost package, you may wish to add a new domain. Or, if you’re brand new to Bluehost, you might want to claim your free domain name.
Instead of using the Bluehost domain search, you can check the availability of your new domain name from within your Bluehost control panel. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to your Bluehost control panel.
- Select the Domains menu and then click Register.
- Type in your preferred domain name and click Check.
- See the list of suggested domains and their pricing.
- Select your preferred domain name and complete the checkout and domain registration process.
We have a guide to help you with the domain name registration process.
You can also transfer a previously owned domain to Bluehost.
Final Thoughts: Get a Website Name Idea With the Bluehost Domain Search Tool
Coming up with a great website name idea and finding an available domain name can be tricky. With the Bluehost domain name search tool, you can go through the trial and error process without missing any of your options.
Plus, with Bluehost, you can also get a full web hosting plan to start building your WordPress website once you’ve secured your domain. Our web hosting services can support everyone from small, new businesses to large corporations.
Begin the search for the perfect domain today.
