The Importance of Domain Names and Social Media Handles (aka Usernames)

You need a good domain name and social media usernames for your business. But don’t go crazy about it like this individual did:

 A "social media influencer" was sentenced to prison for trying to steal a domain name at gunpoint from an owner who refused to sell it to him. o.O https://t.co/6u6ikbs5Bv

— Jennifer Slegg (@jenstar) December 18, 2019

In this article, we’ll show why your domain and social media usernames are important and how to choose the ones that will put you on the fastest path to success.

 

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Both your domain and social media usernames are important. Of the two, your domain name matters more.

Why is the domain name more important?

Every business must have an online presence. Like it or not, today having a website means you’re a credible business. It also means that you must have a domain name.

A business, however, doesn’t need to have social media. It may be recommended, but many don’t, and they do just fine. And many businesses have a presence on some social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, but not others like Instagram or Twitter.

Three factors make your domain name a key contributor to your business success.

-          It’s impact on SEO. Your domain name helps Google and other search engines connect you to your customers.

-          How memorable it is. The easier it is to remember; the more likely people will remember it.

-          That it reinforces your brand. If it isn’t your brand name, it should capture your brand’s essence.

When your social media names match your domain and brand name, it makes them easier to remember and easier to find too. With that said, you can get a little more creative with your social media naming, if needed.

How to Choose a Strong Domain Name

Ideally, your domain name should be your brand name. If you’ve invested the time in creating a catchy, creative, and memorable brand name, you’re likely to have no problem getting the domain name you want.

If you are a start-up and haven’t created your brand name, we recommend doing a little domain research. There’s nothing worse than coming up with a great brand name, only to find it is closely related to a highly competitive online brand or keyword.

When choosing a domain and/or brand name, here a few keys to keep in mind:

-          Make it easy to remember.

-          Short, two syllable names do better. (Think Google, Facebook, Twitter…)

-          Choose one with low online competition.

-          If it is not your brand name, make sure it is clearly related to your brand.

Choosing Social Media Usernames

In an ideal world, you’d have no problem matching your social media names to your brand or domain names.

If you do find you are able to do so, grab them quick. Then, be grateful that was so easy.

A lot of time, you won’t be able to do that.

Sometimes, an individual may have taken the username you want. In that situation you can do one of two things:

-          Choose another, closely related name

-          Ask the user to let you have the name

In some cases, you may find yourself dealing with “squatters.” These are people who own a host of potentially valuable social media names. They’re a lot like the people who buy up domain names to resell them.

Sysomos offered a few good ideas on how to deal with social media squatters. One of the simplest involves owning the brand name. If you own it, platforms like Facebook and Twitter will be more likely to grant it to you, upon an appeal.

If you do find yourself wanting an already taken social media username, make sure to read the End User License Agreement (EULA), aka terms of service. You might be surprised by the legal guidelines that work to your benefit.

As noted, don’t sweat the social media username as much as the domain name. You can come up with creative ways to work around the precise username if needed.

Choose the Right Domain Name and Social Media Username to Drive Traffic

Simple and memorable brand names make the best domain names. Doing a little domain name research before you choose your brand name can save you a lot of time and hassle as you setup your online presence.

Your domain name will help with SEO. A simple one also makes it easy for people to share with their friends.

Ultimately, regardless of your name, you need solid content and a strong social media presence to drive traffic and grow your business.

If you’re looking for ideas, we can help. Simply contact us.