Selecting the Perfect Domain Name

Selecting the perfect domain name for your band is the first and likely one of the most important decisions you'll make when it comes to connecting with fans online. Unfortunately, with so many great names taken or held for ransom by domain resellers, it is also one of the most challenging.

So what's a band to do? Consider these pointers before making your choice.

The .COM is still King

There are many other options out there these days, but you should start your process with the goal of selecting a .com for your band. Most of your fans make the assumption .com is the only TLD out there, and even if they see yours is different in passing at a concert, many will tend to enter .com out of habit when they get back in front of a computer. Adding words like "band" or "music" after your name is an acceptable way to get the .com you want while others add their genre. 

There are some exceptions to this rule, so keep reading to see if another extension is a good fit for you.

Keep it short

The longer and more complicated your band's domain is, the harder it will be for your fans to type it in, increasing the chance they end up misspelling it, resulting in lost traffic or at very least a frustrated fan experience.

Shorter domain names display better in search engines, social media and every other place your URL should be like merchandise, band flyers, etc.

If the only available domain name is too long to be easily remembered by anyone you tell, keep reading.

Reject Hyphens and Numbers

Have you ever verbally given someone a website to check out and had to throw a hyphen in there? It's hard to do and even more difficult for the other person to remember. Remember point #2 above where the domain is getting too long.

There are a few exceptions to this rule of course, like say 311 has 311.com. Just try not to spell out numbers or use roman numerals. 

Beyond the .COM

While we opened this post with our love for the .com, there are other options out there. The second most recognized would be .net. There are also many generic top-level domains (gTLD) out there, of which two make sense for bands. We like both options if they help you keep it short and avoid hyphens from the points above.

You'll find .band is a little more expensive and isn't a free option with many band website builders, including BandVista. You can still use these extensions with any builder though if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks for the year.

Still need help selecting the perfect domain name? Our team of musicians is here to help you. Email support@bandvista.com or give us a call at 1-877-875-4470.