Saigon, Vietnam
Choosing the right blog name feels like a Herculean task at times.
But following a few simple steps adds clarity to the process.
Figuring out how to choose a blog name gives you confidence. I felt good about Blogging From Paradise because I selected a good one for me.
Every blogger needs to decide on the right blog name for them, their blog and their purpose.
The Importance of Picking the Right Blog Name
Readers remember your blog in part based on the name.
Memorable names remain impressed onto the minds of your readers.
Whenever I share Blogging From Paradise with new readers offline pretty much every one says:
“Great name; easy to remember.”
Some type the domain name into their phone but others simply remember it for later reference because I wanted to choose a memorable name more than anything else.
Content makes your site. But a solid blog name sears itself onto the minds of your readers.
Follow these tips to pick a name for your blog.
1: Pick Your Blogging Niche
Before choosing a blog name you need a blogging niche.
Blog names ultimately reflect a niche back to you. Or at least a blog domain name should mirror a niche back to you.
Before choosing Blogging From Paradise I considered my blogging niche. Picking the blogging tips niche made it simple to visualize potential names for readers intrigued by the niche.
Choose your blogging niche.
Gauge your passion versus reader demand.
Read this post for help:
2: Create a Watch List
Build a watch list of potential blog names.
Brainstorm potential ideas related to your blogging niche.
I pictured what I intended to convey through my blog. I had retired to a life of island hopping as a blogger. What sounded like an enticing name to capture the experience for bloggers hungry for blogging tips?
After toying around with some ideas I worked with:
- Blog From Paradise
- Blogging From Paradise
- Blogger From Paradise
I think I played around with Blogging From The Tropics too.
Write down every single idea that pops up in your mind.
Whittle down the list with the remaining steps.
3: Target
Target your ideal reader with the name.
Visualize your avatar. See this particular person in vivid detail.
What blog name would appeal to that person? Why would the domain name pull the individual towards your blog?
Add as many details to the reader persona as possible. Think clearly to consider the ideal domain name for that specific reader.
4: Stand Out
This is the step for going out on a limb.
I semi-broke one rule below – #5 – by choosing a long domain name but only because Blogging From Paradise Dot Com made me stand out.
Shockingly enough, no one had purchased the name prior to me buying it. Perhaps other bloggers feared standing out a bit too much with a lengthy name but it has been good to me.
Refrain from using shock value to stand out. Salty language, crass concepts and general tasteless names attract more headaches than loyal readers. Think long and hard about picking spammy names based on grammatical errors, misspelling or a general lack of coherence.
Stand out by making a bold move within some common sense framework to snag attention spans from a higher energy perspective.
5: Check Out Blogs in Your Niche
Peep top blogs in your niche.
Seasoned pros offer you creative ideas for stoking your imagination.
I cruised through the blogging tips niche for inspiration before deciding on Blogging From Paradise. Blogs like Pro Blogger, Blogging Tips, Smart Blogger, Blogging Wizard and Bloggers Passion appealed to my imagination by setting patterns.
Darren, Zac (owner at the time), Jon, Adam and Anil all use some blogging keyword within the blog name to emit a loud, clear signal to readers. I followed their lead by including the “blogging” keyword in my blog name.
Observe top blogs in your niche for creative ideas to narrow down your selections.
Top pros offer you smart clues for picking a winning domain name.
5: Keep It as Short and Sweet as Possible
I know guys; I broke this rule and kinda got away with it.
Overall though, keep domain names as short as possible to be memorable.
Short blog names are generally memorable. Long names seem tougher to remember for most of us.
Blogging From Paradise
Keep it snappy, clear and simple for the best choice.
Avoid long, cumbersome names for these go in one ear and out the other.
Short and sweet wins.
6: Work a Niche Keyword or Key Phrase into it
Of course, the most desired keywords have likely been gobbled up by top bloggers or domain hogs willing to pay top dollar and wait on ’em for significant appreciation.
For example, bloggertips.com is snagged folks and the folks over there have done a great job building a blogging tips powerhouse.
Be creative. Flex your imagination muscles.
I knew most ideal “blogging” keyword combos were not available but adding “from paradise” helped me nail down a popular keyword from my niche.
No doubt, this has helped me rank for a few posts in addition to fortifying my brand based on guiding bloggers with blogging tips.
What If You Cannot Score a Keyword?
No worries if you cannot score a keyword.
Google ranks well-stocked blogs not including a niche keyword within the name.
Readers want helpful, long-form blog content whether or not the blogger purchased a domain name with a popular keyword.
Attempt to build your name around a popular niche keyword but not if it sounds awkward.
At the end of the day, pick a name related to your niche whether or not you include a competitive keyword in the name.
7: Speak It Out Loud to Test It
Spot awkward, wordy or flat out rough-sounding blog names.
Speak it out loud to hear how it sounds.
Test it by listening to the name.
I nixed “Blog From Paradise” after Kelli and I agreed that it did not sound quite right. I easily visualized someone blogging from paradise. I did not easily picture someone blog from paradise because it sounds awkward, ultimately.
Ask a few folks to speak your prospective blog name for you. How does it sound to you? How does it sound to them?
Pass the sound test before buying your blog domain name.
8: Think Evergreen
Trends come and go with the tide.
Blog names based on trends follow the same volatile pattern.
Decide on an evergreen domain name to secure a long term solution.
Build a rock solid blog, brand and business by thinking long term.
Blogging around the world ain’t going away anytime soon.
Go evergreen to avoid the tumultuous twists and turns of tempestuous trends.
Make sure that your blog name will last for decades, even if you plan to blog for less time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Should You Buy It?
I purchased my domain name at Hostmonster but any registrar will work.
Do not waste too much time shopping around. Most companies offer similar pricing.
Check availability and buy it to secure your domain name.
What About Trademark Issues?
As a rule, check with a lawyer before exploring any potential legal blogging issues.
But according to my non-expert opinion, don’t be a dingbat and choose a domain name based on Apple, Nike, Google, Amazon or any world famous brand.
Simply don’t do it because their armies of lawyers will expose you and eventually make you take it down.
Should You Choose Your Birth Name?
I have waffled back and forth on this one over the years.
Choosing your name instantly dissolves search traffic potential until you become world famous; that takes a while, folks.
But building a personal brand makes you stand out from every other blogger seamlessly.
Decide on the direction of your blog. Use your birth name as your blog name to build a personal brand. Do not use your birth name if you want to build a brand based on a specific blogging niche.
How Important Is a Domain Name Really?
Ultimately, blog content makes the blog.
Domain names should be memorable.
But never frame your blog name as being more important than your blog content.
Some bloggers achieve great success with names completely unrelated to their blogging niche.
Harsh Agarwal achieved this feat at Shout Me Loud.
He proves that you can succeed without having a blog name directly related to your niche.
Conclusion
Figuring out how to pick a blog name doesn’t need to be a stressful decision.
Sticking to the fundamentals makes this choice fairly easy.
Follow these tips to pick the right blog name for you.
