A domain name is not just what people type into their browser; it is the identity, address, and long-term brand foundation of your blog. Choosing the right domain early will save you from rebranding later, prevent confusion for your readers, and help your SEO and credibility from day one.

This guide explains everything clearly and calmly, with examples, templates, and visual mockups that make the decision straightforward for absolute beginners.

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What is a domain name?

A domain name is your blog’s permanent address on the internet:

• yourblog.com
• travelwithsam.com
• everydayrecipes.in
• thefinancedesk.net

When someone visits your blog, they type or click your domain name.

A simple visual explanation:

Where Your Domain Name Fits

• Domain Name: Your online address
• Hosting: Storage for your website files
• Platform (WordPress): The engine powering your blog
• Design: How your blog looks

In this step, your only task is to choose the best possible domain name. You will buy it in Step 4.

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Before choosing your domain name, ask yourself two questions

These two answers shape everything else.

1. What will your blog be about?

Examples:

• personal finance
• travel
• parenting
• fitness
• food
• personal brand
• multi-topic blog

You don’t need a final niche yet, but you need a sense of direction.

2. Do you want a brand or a personal space?

A brandable domain is future-proof. A personal domain (your name) is better for coaching, consulting, and portfolios.

This decision guides the naming style you’ll choose.

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What makes a great domain name?

A strong domain name has four qualities:

1. It is easy to remember

Short, smooth, and clean.

2. It is easy to type

Avoid:

• double letters
• unusual spellings
• hyphens
• numbers

3. It is short

Ideally 8–15 characters, though not mandatory.

4. It is brandable

It should feel like a name people can say aloud naturally.

Examples of brandable names:

• DailyNest.com
• TravelPath.com
• SimpleParenting.in
• TheTechChapter.net

Names to avoid:

• besttraveldealsindia2025.com
• cooking-recipes-online123.com
• health_blog__india.info

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Which extension should you choose? (.com, .in, .net)

Extensions matter more than most beginners realise.

.com

Best choice globally. Short, easy to remember, and highly trusted.

.in

Excellent if your audience is mainly in India. Short, clean, and good for SEO in India.

.net

Acceptable when .com is taken, especially for tech, tools, and developer content.

Others (.blog, .site, .online, .info, .co)

Not recommended for beginners. These feel less authoritative and can make branding harder.

If possible, choose:

1. .com
2. .in (if India-focused)
3. .net (only when suitable)

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Step-by-step process to choose the perfect domain name

Here is the exact workflow professional bloggers use. Follow it in order.

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1. Select your naming style

There are seven naming styles that work consistently.

Style 1: Keyword + modifier

Examples:

• budgettravelguide.com
• simpleparentingtips.com

Great for clarity.

Style 2: Two-word brand

Examples:

• BrightNest.com
• TravelPeak.com
• MindStudio.in

Easy to remember and good for long-term branding.

Style 3: Single-word brand

Ideal but difficult to secure. Examples:

• Medium
• Notion
• Hubspot

Style 4: Personal name

Examples:

• anitawrites.com
• samuelkumar.in

Best for portfolios or coaching.

Style 5: Invented niche-based words

Examples:

• Fitella.com
• Parentory.com

Modern and flexible.

Style 6: Action-based names

Examples:

• LearnCodingFast.com
• SaveMoreMoney.com

Clear purpose.

Style 7: Community-based names

Examples:

• creatorscircle.com
• familywellnesshub.com

Good for blogs that may turn into communities.

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2. Use naming templates

Finance

• {simple}{money}.com
• {smart}{budget}.com
• {clear}{finance}.com

Examples: simplemoneylab.com, clearfinanceguide.com

Travel

• {yourname}{travels}.com
• {wander}{word}.com
• {global}{path}.com

Parenting

• {calm}{parent}.com
• {family}{stories}.com
• {parenting}{guide}.com

Tech

• {code}{word}.com
• {dev}{hub}.com
• {tech}{insights}.com

Food

• {simple}{kitchen}.com
• {daily}{recipes}.com

You can use these templates to generate dozens of ideas.

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3. Brainstorm 50–100 ideas

Aim for volume first. Most names won’t work — that’s normal.

Example brainstorm list:

Finance: SaveNest.com, BudgetCraft.com, MoneyDen.com Travel: WanderPeak.com, GlobalSteps.com Food: KitchenNotes.in, EasyMealStudio.com Personal: RahulWrites.com, AnitaBlog.com

This is your raw material.

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4. Check domain availability

Search your shortlisted names on:

• Namecheap
• GoDaddy
• Hostinger Domains
• Google Domains (if available in your region)

Checking if dailywellnesslab.com is available on a domain registrar.

What to check:

• Is the exact .com available?
• If not, is .in available?
• Is the price normal (₹700–₹1,200/year)?
• Avoid premium-priced domains unless building a commercial brand.

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5. Check legal and trademark conflict

This step prevents problems later.

Check:

• Google search
• MCA India business database
• Global trademark database (optional)

Avoid names similar to known brands in your niche.

For example:

• nikefitnessguide.com → absolutely avoid
• fitnest.com (too close to “fitness”) → avoid
• fitnesthub.com (safe) → acceptable

Make sure there is no brand confusion.

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6. Check social media handle availability

Search the name (without hyphens) on:

• Instagram
• YouTube
• X/Twitter
• Pinterest

You don’t need all platforms, but ideally:

• Instagram handle available
• YouTube handle available
• Domain name not widely used by someone else

This ensures clean branding later.

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7. Make your final selection

Use this checklist:

• Is it short?
• Is it easy to spell?
• Is it brandable?
• Does it work for at least 5–10 years?
• No trademark issues?
• Social handles available?
• .com or .in available?

Choose the name that meets most of these, not necessarily all.

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Good and bad examples for comparison

Good

• travelwithsam.com
• mindfulbudget.com
• thetechchapter.com
• simplewellnesshub.com

Weak

• thebesttravelblogoffers2025.com
• cooking-recipes-online123.com
• health_blog_info.xyz

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Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid the following:

• hyphens
• numbers
• very long names
• names that restrict future growth
• names too similar to an existing company
• difficult spellings

Example:

“ketodietrecipesindia.com” is too narrow. Better: “everydaywellness.in”.

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How many names should you shortlist?

Three is ideal.

1. Primary choice
2. Backup option
3. Brand-style wildcard

Run all three through every check.

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A simple decision flow (visual mockup)

Domain Decision Flow

1. Check .com
2. If not available → check .in
3. Reject names with legal conflicts
4. Confirm social handle availability
5. Shortlist 3
6. Select the strongest long-term choice

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A quick 5-minute activity

1. Write your blog’s main topic
2. Choose your naming style
3. Generate 20 ideas
4. Search availability
5. Shortlist 3

In Step 4, you will purchase the domain.

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People Also Ask (FAQs)

What is the best domain extension for a blog? .com if available; .in if India-focused.

Should I use my real name as my domain? Yes, if you are building a personal brand, portfolio, or coaching blog.

Do keywords help in domain names? They can help, but brandability is more important.

Should I buy multiple domain extensions? No. One is enough for beginners.

What if the domain I want is taken? Try synonyms, two-word brands, or alternative extensions like .in.

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Next step

You have now shortlisted or selected your domain name. In the next step, you will choose a web hosting provider and connect your domain to it.

Proceed to Step 4: Choose Your Web Host

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