Whenever setting up a new site or client project, there are a few tools and resources that I always turn to and always a set process that I try to follow.
In this example, we can assume that I am just working on some crazy idea I’ve dug up from some dark crevice in my mind, or just some random thought.
With topic in hand, I like to use mind maps to help brainstorm the idea as much as possible. My favorite tool for this is pen and paper, but here are a few services that you could also use:
- MINDMUP – https://www.mindmup.com/
- NovaMind – https://www.novamind.com/
- Coggle – https://coggle.it
After you have completed your mind map, take a look at it and see if any topics stand out or lend themselves to short phrases of no more than one, two, or three words. This is called a long tail keyword and, although there is much discussion over their usefulness, I believe they can help you define the overall theme of what your site or app intends to be. Try searching for your phrase in Google. Does it return many results?
It’s OK if it does. This means there is interest in your topic! Check a few of the top results. Do they provide enough value? Do they lead to more questions than they answer? Can you answer those questions better? Can you provide better value?
Once you’ve got your phrase, try going to a service like who.is and see if the name is available. If it is, great! You can skip to the next step. If not, keep trying.
If you are still stumped for a name, you can look at the recent .com drop history available at justdropped.com. This is a list of domains that recently expired and the site owners have not attempted to reclaim them. You’ll be surprised at the huge number of domains available!
Depending on the scope of the project, I will also check a service like namechk.com that allows me to see if any social media accounts are available that will closely match my desired name.
Once you are satisfied with your research, you are ready to purchase your domain through a hosting provider like HostGator.com . *
* Affiliate link disclaimer. You are not required to use this link, but if you do so, I will receive a commission.