Your domain name is like your business's street address on the internet—it's how customers find you. Just like choosing the perfect location for your business, choosing the right domain name can mean the difference between thriving and just getting by. Follow these five simple steps to choose the perfect domain name for your business.

1. Keep it short and sweet

Long domain names are hard to remember and even harder to type. If you can, try to keep your domain name to 15 characters or less. Not only will this make it easier for customers to find you, but it will also make it more likely that they'll actually remember your web address when they need it.

2. Make it easy to spell and pronounce

If your domain name is too difficult to spell or pronounce, customers are going to have a hard time finding you (and they may not even bother trying). So instead of going for something clever, opt for a name that's easy to understand and remember. You'll thank yourself later.

3. Use keywords wisely

Including relevant keywords in your domain name can be helpful in boosting your search engine rankings. However, beware of keyword stuffing, which is when a website tries to cram too many keywords into too small of a space. Not only is this bad for SEO, but it will also make your domain name look spammy, which is bound to turn customers off. A good rule of thumb is to use one or two relevant keywords maximum.

4. Avoid hyphens and numbers

Using hyphens and numbers in your domain name can make it more difficult for customers to find you (they might forget the hyphen or mistakenly type in the wrong number). While numbers can sometimes be helpful in differentiating between similar businesses (think 1-800-flowers versus 1800flowers), they're generally best avoided altogether.

5. Make sure the extension makes sense

Your domain name extension (or top-level domain) is the ".com" part of your web address—and ".com" is still king when it comes to credibility. That being said, there are plenty of other options available (.net, .biz, .io, etc.), so if you can't snag the ".com" version of your desired domain name, don't sweat it too much. Just make sure you pick an extension that's relevant to your business and easy for customers to remember.

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Selecting a great domain name is essential for any business that wants to succeed online—but it doesn't have to be difficult. Just follow these five simple tips to choose the perfect domain name for your business and you'll be well on your way to attract (and keep) customers. Happy hunting!