The myriad myths around domain names often push people to spend a lot of time researching and finding the perfect domain name for their business.
Domain names are essential, and many new, memorable extensions (like .icu & .bond) can help your business stand out from the crowd.
This blog post will debunk some of the most common myths about domain names and help you understand why they are not true!
13 Myths About Domain Names
Myth 1: Domain names are expensive
A domain name acts as your website’s address on the internet. It’s what people will type into their browsers to find your site.
And while domain names appear complicated and expensive, they don’t have to be. You can get a great domain name for your website without breaking the bank.
In reality, the price of a domain name is quite reasonable, especially when you consider the benefits that it can provide. A domain name can help to improve your brand recognition and make it easier for customers to find your website.
In addition, a well-chosen domain name can be a valuable asset that can be sold or leased in the future. There are many advantages to owning a domain name, and the cost is relatively small when compared to the potential benefits.
Myth 2: You need to register your domain name on a conventional domain extension to be successful online
Many different types of domains are available, and each has its own benefits. For instance, a .cyou domain extension can be a good choice for millennial and GenZ websites, while a .sbs domain can be ideal for a non-profit organization.
Myth 3: It’s hard to find a good domain name
Once upon a time, finding a good domain name was incredibly difficult. However, with the advent of new top-level domains (TLDs), that is no longer the case.
There are thousands of new domain extensions, and many are ideally suited for specific businesses or industries.
So don’t let the myth that it’s hard to find a good domain name dissuade you from registering your site – with some creativity, you’re sure to find the perfect fit.
Myth 4: Domain names are only for websites
The answer is no. You can use a domain name for anything you want – it does not have to be associated with a website.
For example, you could use a domain name for an email address (such as hello@example.icu) or a file sharing service (such as ftp://example.icu).
You can also try flipping domain names. Flipping domain names is a unique way to make money with domain names without having to create a website. You can find a domain name that might become popular in the future or that someone else might find valuable and resell for profit.
There are many ways to use a domain name – it depends on how you set it up. So don’t let anyone tell you that you can only use a domain name for a website – there are no such restrictions!
Myth 5: Once you buy a domain name, you own it forever
Domain names are essential to any website and can significantly impact your search engine ranking and overall visibility.
As a result, it’s important to choose a domain name that is both relevant to your content and easy to remember. However, many believe that once you buy a domain name, you own it forever.
This is not true. Domain names are leased from registrars on an annual basis, and if you fail to renew your lease, the domain name will be made available to other users.
In other words, if you want to keep your domain name, you’ll need to make sure that you renew it regularly.
Fortunately, most registrars will send you a reminder when your domain name is about to expire, so you shouldn’t have any trouble keeping track of your lease.
Still, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for losing your domain name if you don’t keep up with your payments.
Myth 6: All the good domain names are taken
One of the most common myths about domain names is that all good ones are already taken. After all, with over 327 million active domain names currently registered, it’s easy to see why people might think this.
However, the reality is that there are still plenty of great domain names available. The key is to be creative and to think outside of the box.
For example, a .icu or a .bond domain name could be used to create a unique and memorable domain name.
With a little effort, you’re sure to find a great domain name that will help your business or project to stand out from the crowd.
Myth 7: Domain names don’t matter – it’s all about the content
It is a common misconception that domain names don’t matter – it’s all about the content. However, this is not strictly true.
While content is undoubtedly important, a good domain name can also help with online visibility and SEO lead generation. A domain name should be easy to remember and relevant to your business or website.
It should also be snappy and free of any gimmicky suffixes. Choosing the right domain name can be the difference between a successful website and one that languishes in obscurity. So, while content is still king, a good domain name is worth its weight in gold.
Myth 8: Domain name changes are difficult and expensive
One of the most common myths about domain names is that they are difficult and expensive to change. However, this is not the case. In most cases, changing a domain name is a fairly straightforward process.
And while there may be some costs associated with the change, such as updating your website and email addresses, these costs are typically reasonably minor.
So if you’re thinking about changing your domain name, don’t let this myth stop you from making the change. It’s probably more accessible and less expensive than you think.
Myth 9: Domain names are complicated
A domain name is your unique address on the internet. It’s how people find your website, and it’s a reflection of your brand. So it’s important to choose a good one. But does that mean it has to be complicated?
The short answer is no. A domain name can be as straightforward or complex as you want it to be. All you need to do is choose an available domain name and then purchase it from a domain name registrar.
Once you have registered your domain name, you can use it for your website or email address. Registering a domain name is quick and easy, so there is no need to worry about it being complicated.
Myth 10: Your domain name needs to be short
There’s a common misconception that your domain name needs to be short to be effective. However, this isn’t necessarily the case.
While it’s true that shorter domain names are easier to remember, there are plenty of examples of long domain names that have been successfully used by businesses and individuals alike.
In many cases, a longer domain name can be more descriptive and informative than a shorter one. When choosing a domain name, the most important thing is to ensure it’s relevant to your business or personal brand. You’ll be on the right track as long as it’s easy to remember and conveys the right message.
Myth 11: Your domain name needs to include keywords
This is not true. In fact, including keywords in your domain name can do more harm than good. Search engines are sophisticated enough to recognize when a keyword is being used for SEO purposes, and they will penalize your site accordingly.
Furthermore, using keywords in your domain name can make it difficult for people to remember and type correctly. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid using keywords in your domain name altogether. Instead, focus on choosing a domain name that is easy to remember and spell.
Myth 12: You can only have one domain name
Many businesses believe that they can only have one domain name. However, this is not the case. It is often beneficial to register multiple domain names.
By doing so, you can protect your brand and ensure that customers can easily find your website, no matter what device they use.
By registering multiple domain names, you can give your customers the flexibility to find your site no matter how they search for it. As a result, you can ensure that your business remains visible online and avoid losing potential customers.
Myth 13: You need to have a website to buy a domain name
A domain name is your web address; it’s what you type into the URL bar to visit a website. You can buy a domain name without ever having created a website.
Many businesses do this to reserve their name before someone else does. While it’s certainly helpful to have a website when buying a domain name (since it gives you a place to use your new domain), it’s not required.
In fact, plenty of people buy domain names without ever having a website – they may intend to use the domain for email, or they may simply be holding onto the domain in case they decide to build a website in the future.
So if you’re interested in buying a domain name but don’t have a website yet, don’t let that stop you! You can still complete the purchase and start using your new domain immediately.
Ways To Make A Good Domain Name
Make it relevant
Your domain name should be closely related to your products or services. This will help customers find your website more easily and increase their chances of remembering your URL.
Be innovative
A unique domain name will help you stand out from the competition and attract attention. Be creative and think outside the box when choosing your domain name.
Avoid numbers and hyphens
Numbers and hyphens can make your domain name difficult to remember and type correctly. Stick with letters for the best results.
Make sure it’s available
Use a Domain Name Search tool to check the availability of your chosen domain name before you register it. Once you’ve found an available domain name, register it as soon as possible to prevent someone else from snatching it up!
Be unique
With so many businesses online these days, it’s important to stand out from the crowd. Choose a domain name that’s not already being used by someone else.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the truth about domain names. Hopefully, this article has helped clarify some of the common myths about domain names. Remember, a domain name is just a way to identify your website – it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
And with a bit of creative thinking, you can come up with a domain name that’s both unique and memorable. So don’t let these myths about domain names get in your way.
About the Author
Nick Patrocky is a UX/UI designer, app reviewer, software reviewer, and blogger. Nick’s worked with over 150+ clients from countries all around the globe. Nick also enjoys reviewing mobile apps, web apps, and websites. Check out his blog if you want to know what it takes to be an app designer or a successful freelancer.