How to choose a Website name?

When you build a website for your business, the website name is the big, bold sentence at the top of your homepage. This website name is not the same as your domain name (web address) – it’s the title on your page that introduces what you do.

A great website name instantly tells visitors what your business offers, and it also gives search engines like Google a clear idea of your page’s topic. In fact, having a clear, descriptive website name with the right keywords can improve your visibility in search results while helping visitors feel confident they’re in the right place. In short, the website name is hugely important for both search visibility and user experience.

How to Write an SEO-Friendly Website Name in Simple Language

SEO means Search Engine Optimisation, i.e. optimization for searches such as Google

Writing a good website name doesn’t require technical jargon – the best ones use plain language. Here are some friendly tips to choose the best website name for your website:

Describe What Your Business Does

In one short phrase, say what you offer. A visitor should know immediately if you’re a bakery, salon, plumber, or any other service. For example, if you own a bakery, a website name like “Fresh Baked Breads and Pastries in Downtown Portland” is clear. Avoid something vague like “Welcome to Our Shop” which doesn’t reveal what you sell. Remember, the website name should essentially answer the question: “What is this business?”

Include Important Keywords (Search Terms)

Keywords are the words people might type into Google to find a business like yours. Try to naturally include one or two of these in your website name. If you run a hair salon in New York, a website name could be “Professional Hair Salon in New York City”. This way, if someone searches for “hair salon NYC”, your site is more likely to match. Search engines give more weight to words in your website name, so a keyword-rich website name can boost your SEO.

Keep It Human and Natural

While keywords are helpful, the website name should sound natural to human readers. Don’t stuff a string of search terms together. For instance, avoid a spammy line like “Salon Hair Beauty Haircuts NYC New York Best” – that’s confusing and off-putting (this kind of keyword stuffing is a common mistake). Instead, write a real sentence or phrase that a person would find appealing. “Stylish Haircuts & Color – Top-Rated Salon in NYC” is both keyword-rich and inviting.

Stay Concise and Clear

Aim for one brief sentence or phrase – usually under 10 words if you can. Clarity is more important than being clever. It’s okay to add a little tagline or unique touch, but make sure the core description (what you do) is front and center. For example, “Cozy Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Springfield” is better than a long-winded slogan. A concise website name is easier for visitors to read quickly and for Google to understand.

Avoid Generic Phrases

Steer clear of website names like “Welcome to Our Website” or just “Home” on your homepage. These phrases don’t include any info about your business and won’t help you show up in search results. It might feel friendly to say “welcome,” but it’s a missed opportunity to use that prime space for keywords and specifics. Always opt for a descriptive website name over a generic greeting.

Consider Adding Location or Specialty

If your business serves a specific city or has a niche, consider mentioning it. Phrases like “in “City Name”” or highlighting a specialty (e.g. “vegan cafe”, “family law”) can target your ideal audience. For a local business, including your city can improve your chances of appearing in local searches. Just ensure it fits naturally into the website name.

(Tip: It’s fine to include your business name in the website name if it fits nicely, but make sure the website name still says what you do. For example, “Bella’s Beauty Spa – Luxury Skincare Treatments in Seattle” combines a brand name with keywords. If your name alone (like “Bella’s Beauty Spa”) doesn’t explain your services, add a descriptive phrase as shown.)

Good vs. Bad Website Name Examples (By Industry)

To see these tips in action, let’s look at some examples of strong and weak website names across different industries. No matter what field you’re in – whether it’s food, fitness, or home services – the principles are the same. For instance, SEO experts often recommend using a specific, keyword-rich website name instead of a generic one. One guide suggests a clear website name like “Top-Rated Plumber in Los Angeles – Affordable & Reliable Services” instead of a vague “Welcome to Our Website”. The first example includes exactly what the business is (plumbing services) and where, which helps both Google and customers. The second example could be about any business and wastes an opportunity to inform or include keywords.

Now, here are more example website names for various small businesses, each with a good vs. bad comparison:

Example for Restaurant

Good: “Authentic Italian Restaurant in Springfield – Family Recipes Since 1950.” This website name tells us the cuisine (Italian), the location (Springfield), and even hints at tradition (family recipes). Someone searching for Italian food in Springfield will recognize this immediately as relevant.

Wrong: “Welcome to Mama Mia’s!” While friendly, it doesn’t mention that Mama Mia’s is a restaurant or that it serves Italian cuisine. A visitor or search engine has to guess what the site is about – not ideal for SEO or clarity.

Example for Hair Salon

Good: “Downtown Chicago Hair Salon – Stylish Cuts & Color by Experts.” Here we see what it is (hair salon), where it is (downtown Chicago), and even the service focus (cuts & color by experts). It’s inviting and loaded with useful info for someone looking for a salon in Chicago.

Wrong: “Love Your Hair.” This phrase is positive, but doesn’t actually say who or what is offering the service. It could be a blog post title or just a slogan. It misses critical keywords like “hair salon” and provides no location or context.

Example for Photographer

Good: “Professional Wedding & Portrait Photography in Seattle.” This website name clearly states the service (photography), the specialty (wedding & portrait), and the location (Seattle). A bride-to-be searching for a Seattle wedding photographer would immediately know this site is relevant.

Wrong: “Capturing Moments.” It’s a nice sentiment, but this could refer to any hobbyist or even a poet – it doesn’t tell Google or the user that this is a photography business. It lacks the keyword “photography” and any other defining details.

Example for Home Services (Trades)

Good: “Certified Electrician for Home Repairs in Denver.” This example specifies the trade (electrician), the scope (home repairs), and location (Denver). If someone’s googling “electrician in Denver,” these keywords line up perfectly, and it also sounds trustworthy (with “certified” adding a human-friendly trust factor).

Wrong: “We Fix Your Problems!” This is far too broad – fix what problems? Plumbing, electrical, carpentry? A phrase like this doesn’t help search engines figure out your niche, and a visitor might be confused about what service is offered until they read more. Always be specific about your trade or service.

Example for Fitness Trainer/Gym

Good: “Personal Training & Group Fitness Classes in Dallas.” This website name tells us the exact service (personal training, fitness classes) and location (Dallas). It’s straightforward and uses terms people actually search for when looking for a gym or trainer.

Wrong: “Get Fit, Have Fun!” While it conveys a positive vibe, it doesn’t mention what type of business this is. Is it a gym, a personal trainer, a sports club, or something else? Plus, it has no keywords like “fitness” or “training” that would help with search rankings. Fun tagline, but not informative enough as a website name.

Example for Education (Tutor/School)

Good: “Online English Tutoring for Kids & Adults – Learn from Home.” Immediately, you know this is about English tutoring, it’s online, and it serves both kids and adults (the audience). It even adds a benefit – learning from home. These are all terms a parent or adult learner might search for.

Wrong: “Unlock Your Potential.” This could be an inspirational quote for anything – a life coach, a motivational speaker, or a school, it’s not clear. It doesn’t include the keyword “tutoring” or “English,” so it’s a missed SEO opportunity and doesn’t tell the reader what is being offered.

Example for Event Planner

Good: “Event Planning & Catering Services in Miami – Making Your Occasions Unforgettable.” This website name lays out the services (event planning and catering) and the location (Miami), plus adds a human touch about making occasions unforgettable. It balances keywords with a friendly tone.

Wrog: “Making Memories Last.” This phrase sounds nice, but is too abstract. It doesn’t mention events, planning, catering, or location. A search engine won’t connect it to event planning, and a user might not immediately know they’ve found an event planner’s website.

As you can see, the good website names are specific, use keywords that match what people search for, and feel like a real description of the business. The poor website names are either too generic, too vague, or stuffed with meaningless words. The goal is to make sure your website name passes the “what is this page about” test for both humans and search engines. If a stranger can read your website name and immediately say, “Oh, this site is offering X in Y location,” then you’re on the right track!

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right website name for your site is one of the simplest SEO wins you can get. It doesn’t cost anything to change a website name, but it can have a big impact on how easily people find you online and how clearly they understand your business. Remember to be specific and descriptive, use those important keywords naturally, and keep the tone human-friendly.

A clear website name signals to Google what your page is about and helps your customers feel confident they’ve found what they were looking for. By taking a few minutes to craft a great website name, you’ll make your site both more visible in searches and more welcoming to visitors – a win-win for your business. Happy writing!

Sources: Optimizing your website names for SEO and clarity, and examples inspired by real SEO best practices.