Blog Naming
- Filed under: Blog Development, Domaining
- Date: Mar 22,2008
Choosing a name for your blog is important. What’s in a name?
- Will readers remember?
- Can readers tell what your blog is about?
- Think ahead - is it appropriate?
- Blog name must equal domain name!
- Brainstorm and take your time
Will readers remember?
For a blog about sunset photography you wouldn’t choose takingphotosofsunsets.com, sunsetphotographyforbeginners.com or sunsetforbeginners101madeeasy.com
The above domains are obviously too long, contain too many words and do not flow off the tongue with ease. Keep it short and snappy. The idea is when your blog post is listed in Google search results people will remember the link they click. Something quick, catchy and relevant to your blog topic or niche is what you’re after. For example:
sunset101.com
mysunset.com
sunsetsnaps.com
sunsetpix.com
Can readers tell what your blog is about?
You want readers and readers want to know what you’re on about before they click your link. Again, if it’s sunset photography you’re pushing and your blog name is mildsummerdreams.com they might think otherwise. Think obvious - sunsetpix.com
Think ahead - is it appropriate?
Giving birth to your blog is exciting! But prior planning prevents piss poor performance so think ahead. Let’s say 1 year down the track your cool niche blog has become popular. Your ads are making money and you want to expand on your growing business empire. Having named it siksunset may not appeal to the serious photographer community out there so you may find problems proving your credibility. Keep it professional for when your blog blows up you can capitalize.
Blog name must equal domain name!
It is important that your domain name matchs your blog name. Why build your blog brand and then let the guy who registered it take the credit. Readers type in your blog name in the URL bar they should get YOU!
- Use your domain registrar to search for available domains.
- Check for recently expired domains or putting domains on hold
- Enter the Domain Market - buying domains from others
- Is there resale value down the track
Domain name registration is a post in itself so stay tuned for the next in the series…
Brainstorm and take your time
When I have a new blog niche idea and want to name my new child I spend several hours with a notepad jotting down thoughts. Hmmm…. sunset photography ay?
siksunset sunset101 supersunsets sunsetr mysunset newdawn sunrise sunrisr dawn2dusk dawntodusk goldensunrise goldenarc icarusimages…
Feel free to write it down no matter how ridiculous it sounds. This is the Web2.0 era so it might be okay to cut that vowel out here and there. By slapping two random words together your entrepreneurial instincts may take over.
I have been guilty in the past sitting at my study in the early hours of the morning and registering an outrageous domain name or two. I could blame it on the excitement - the adrenalin of creation but really I should have cooled off. Brainstorm to your hearts content then put it on the backburner for a few hours if not days. When you read over these names again you may not like what you’ve invented. Once you have officially registered your domain it may be difficult to turn back.
Let us know how you came up with your blog name and the success you’ve had. Cheers 