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How to Choose the Right Domain Name

Choose a Domain Name in Kenya

The first step to marketing your business online starts with acquiring a Domain Name. Choosing the right domain name can impact your online presence.

A domain name consists of two parts: a top-level domain (TLD) and a second-level domain (SLD). In the domain name Biashara.co.ke, the TLD is “.co.ke” and the SLD is “Biashara.” The “http” and “www” are not part of the domain name; rather, they are part of the entire web address, called a URL. Some other examples of TLDs include .com. .biz, .net and .org.

While .com is an international TLD, dot ke (.co.ke) is classified as a Country-code TLD (ccTLD) that is specific to Kenya with the sponsoring institution being the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC).

Therefore, when choosing your domain name, you should only be concerned with the TLD and SLD.

Seeing that you now have an idea of what a domain name is, here are a few tips that can help you choose the right combination of a TLD and SLD for your business.

Grab a .com first

The .com TLD (top-level domain) is by far the most widely accepted extension for a domain name. For obvious reasons, it is also the easiest to remember. When you tell someone to go to your site, in most cases they are going to think “name/business name.com” so try to stick with a .com if you can.

Definitely grab a .co.ke

If you run a business that is based in Kenya, it can be smart to use a local TLD (.co.ke for the Kenya).

Make sure the .com is not taken first. It’s also a good idea to have both names otherwise you can easily market a business that is owner by someone else with a similar business name.
Get more Extensions
Once you grab your .com and .co.ke, consider other extensions that can be relevant for your business. The more the merrier. Extensions such as .net, .org, .info, .biz etc are still up for grabs. The advantage to registering other extensions is that you can protect your investment in case you want to make it big in the future without the trouble of other people registering other extensions of your domain name.

Here are other straightforward tips that can make your life easier when it comes to choosing the right domain name

  • Keep it Simple
  • Shorter is Better
  • Avoid Hyphens
  • Make it Keyword Rich
  • Avoid Copyright Issues
  • Relate to your Industry

 

Biashara Kenya: