How to Pick the Perfect Podcast Domain Name and Secure It: Complete Guide

Key Highlights

• Understand how to choose the perfect podcast domain name that enhances your branding and discoverability.
• Learn about the different parts of a domain name and how domain extensions can reflect your podcast’s niche.
• Explore practical tips for keeping your domain name simple, memorable and optimized for search engines.
• Know the steps to secure your domain name and social media handles to establish a consistent online presence.
• Uncover the benefits of combining domain registration with web hosting to create a professional podcast website.

Podcasts are one of the most popular ways to learn and consume content.

Although the concept of podcasts predates the internet, they started growing in popularity around 2018 with the proliferation of smartphones and apps such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. These apps empower podcasters to host their shows and users to listen to episodes anywhere.

Starting a podcast is simple, but choosing domain names for podcasts is what most budding podcasters find difficult. It requires a mix of strategy and intuition to come up with a name that’s easy to recall.

If you’re wondering how to pick the right podcast domain name or what steps to take, you’re not alone—many beginners have the same question.

This is why you need to buy a domain name once you find the perfect podcast name.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to choose podcast domain names
• The parts of a domain name
• The best podcast domain name extensions
• How to buy a domain name

Picking a Domain Name for Your Podcast

Choosing the right domain podcast name is an art because of the potential impact it could have on your show.

To start, here are some questions to ask yourself before you buy a domain name:

• What is my podcast about?
• What topics does my podcast cover?
• Where do I see my podcast in the future?
• Have I identified my core themes and target audience?

Answering the first and second questions can help you think of names that don’t pigeonhole you in a specific category.

It’s also important to differentiate your podcast from other shows to avoid confusion and ensure your branding stands out.

Using your name and personal brand as your podcast domain name is the most straightforward route, but this is where your answer to the third question comes in.

Your future goals will determine whether or not to name the podcast after yourself. If your show becomes successful, you won’t be able to sell it because it was named after you.

The perfect domain podcast name has the right amount of specificity and generality. Focusing on a niche can also enhance discoverability and help your podcast stand out in a crowded market.

A strong domain name not only impacts your branding but also creates a clear sense of identity and purpose for your audience.

Finally, make sure your domain name matches your podcast’s brand and content for better professionalism and discoverability.

What Is a Domain Name and Domain Extension?

Whether you host your podcast on external platforms or your own website, you’ll benefit from a podcast domain name.

A domain name is an online address that people type into their web browsers to access a website.

Website addresses are composed of a string of numbers called Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, which are difficult to remember. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) introduced domain names as the word-based form of IP addresses.

Having a domain name adds credibility and visibility to your brand, increases search engine rankings and provides mobility to your online assets, should you choose to switch platforms. A key point to remember is that a strong and recognizable domain name helps establish your online identity and makes your podcast more memorable to listeners.

There are three parts to a domain name:

1. Subdomains. These are the third level of a domain’s hierarchy and come before the main domain name. You can add unlimited subdomains to your main domain name — the most common is “www” (for example, www.podcastdomain.com).

If you already have a personal website with a domain, you can use the subdomain “podcast.[yourwebsite].com” to host your podcast content.

For example, Spotify’s Podcaster section can be accessed through the address https://podcasters.spotify.com/.

1. Domain name: The second level in a domain hierarchy is the domain name, also called the website identifier (for example, www.[example].com).
2. Top-level domain (TLD): A TLD is the suffix that appears at the end of the podcast domain names. The most popular example is .com. For instance, a podcast focused on technology might use a .tech domain extension to clearly represent its niche.

Businesses often go for a domain name ending in .com since it sounds more professional and is 33% more memorable.

If you’re able to find an available .com domain, buy the other associated TLDs, such as .net or .org, so that they won’t be available for other users.

Which Domain Extensions Are Best for Podcasts?

Although podcast domains ending in .com are recommended, expect it to be taken if your podcast name is common.

If you want to keep your brand name, why not explore uncommon TLDs?

If you’re worried about how uncommon TLDs may impact search engine optimization (SEO), Google’s Search Central blog said, “Keywords in a TLD do not give any advantage or disadvantage in search.”

Google’s Matt Cutts also shared that search engines care more about website content than the TLD. Using uncommon domain extensions has no adverse effect on SEO.

Here are some examples of domain extensions you can use when you buy a domain name for your podcast:

• .audio – This TLD is often used by musicians but can also be used for podcasts.
• .fm – This is technically a country-code TLD for the Federated States of Micronesia, but many podcasts have adopted it.
• .live – This is often used by YouTubers with live shows that they distribute as podcasts.

When you buy a domain name, you can choose extensions that are apt for the industry you’re in, such as:

• .money for a financial podcast
• .health for a wellness podcast
• .news or .report for a news and current events podcast
• .tech for a technology-focused podcast

The right domain extension can contribute to your podcast’s branding and online visibility, making it easier for your audience to recognize your niche.

Including relevant keywords in your domain name can also improve SEO and discoverability, helping your podcast stand out in search results.

Keep Your Domain Name Simple and Easy To Understand

Another consideration when choosing domain names for podcasts is if they pass the radio test.

The radio test checks whether your listeners can spell out your domain name when they hear it. Some tips to guarantee that is to:

• Keep your podcast domain name at 15 characters or less
• Avoid special characters like numbers and hyphens
• Choose a domain name that doesn’t get misconstrued or confused for a well-known brand.

Additional tips for selecting podcast domains:

• Choose podcast names that include business keywords
• Add the word “podcast” at the end of a phrase that’s already taken
• Use relevant words and keywords in your podcast domain names to improve discoverability and SEO.
• Use podcast name generators for more ideas
• Ask for help from your social network

When using podcast name generators or brainstorming, be creative to come up with unique and memorable podcast domain names that stand out.

Note: Always check podcast directories to ensure your desired podcast name is not already in use or inactive, to avoid duplication and improve your podcast’s visibility.

Buy Your Own Domain 

When you’ve thought of a name for your podcast and are ready to buy a domain name, look for trusted domain registrars where you can register your domain name. Registering your domain is a crucial step in establishing a dedicated online presence for your podcast.

Keep in mind you don’t need a finished website to buy a domain name. Even a domain pointing to a basic WordPress website will look good from a user experience standpoint.

Not all domain registrars are similar. Some don’t offer a comprehensive list of TLDs, while others come at a low price but offer questionable security.

Here are some criteria to look out for when selecting the best domain registrars:

• ICANN-accredited: ICANN recognizes accredited domain registrars.
• Variety of TLDs: The top domain registrars offer hundreds of TLD options, including branded and restricted TLDs.
• Free WHOIS protection: ICANN requires all domain name contact information, including names, addresses and phone numbers, to be available on the WHOIS database. Some domain registrars offer WHOIS protection for free, while others charge a fee to keep your information private.

Make sure to choose a domain registration service that fits your podcast’s needs, whether you are looking for additional features, support or bundled services.

Bluehost offers a comprehensive domain registration service that is especially convenient for podcasters looking to secure the perfect podcast domains. Our domain service includes easy domain search and registration tools, allowing you to quickly find and purchase a custom domain name that matches your podcast brand.

Consider Buying Hosting and Your Domain Together

You can get a free domain name for one year when you subscribe to a Bluehost Web Hosting plan. Getting a web hosting plan with a free domain name is more beneficial and cost-effective in the long run because it enables you to put up your podcast website.

Creating a dedicated podcast site is essential for branding and discoverability, as it serves as a central hub for your episodes, distribution and audience engagement. It’s important to have a memorable and relevant site for your podcast to attract and retain listeners.

Having a podcast website empowers you to:

• Control the distribution of the podcast to podcasting platforms
• Keep copies of your episodes
• Connect to your audience

Additionally, having your own domain name for your podcast helps your brand stand out and makes it easier for listeners to remember and find your show.

Securing Social Media Handles for Your Podcast

You’ve got your podcast idea ready to go, but now you’re facing the challenge of securing social media handles that match your brand. Sound familiar? Just like you’d carefully pick out a custom domain name for your podcast website, you’ll want to make sure your social media handles align with your podcast name and domain as closely as possible. This consistency isn’t just nice to have—it’s what helps potential listeners easily find and connect with your podcast across the internet, whether they’re searching on podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify or just browsing social media.

Here’s where you’ll want to start: search for your desired handle on major platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Tools like Namecheckr can make this process a breeze by checking if your chosen handle is available across multiple sites all at once. This doesn’t just save you time—it helps you lock down a unified brand identity before someone else swoops in and claims the handle you’re after.

Final Thoughts

Selecting domain names for podcasts requires consideration, so when you find an available name, secure it and immediately buy a domain name from the right domain name registrar.

As you buy a domain name, consider getting web hosting for your podcast website as well. Top domain registrars often happen to be web hosting providers whose hosting plans come with free domain registration. Sign up for Bluehost Web Hosting and get free domain registration.

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