You want to start a blog. But before you can face the challenge of coming up with great content and hooking readers, you have one major hurdle to get over: you have to name your blog. You must choose wisely, because, fair or not, you will be judged by it. Here are some tips to help you get it right.
Describe Your Blog
Your blog name shouldn’t be something totally random that will leave people guessing. You don’t want to constantly answer the question, “Why did you pick that name?” or “What does it mean?” It should reflect what your blog is all about, so consider including at least one word that refers to your subject matter or niche. It’s even better if it includes a word (or two) that doubles as a keyword. A descriptive blog name with keywords will be very search engine-friendly and understandable for your readers.
Match Your Domain
Whenever possible, the name of your blog should also be your domain name. You should shoot for an exact match; it will be easiest for people to find you that way. If the domain name you choose isn’t available, consider going back to the drawing board and selecting a new name, perhaps a slight variation.
Keep It Short
The best blog names are one, two, or three words long. Your blog name should be short, because that will also make it more memorable. The more words you have, the bigger the chances of people getting it wrong. A very long domain name is never preferable, either. Choose a short phrase, or descriptive word with an adjective or two. Never go for a long phrase or, heaven forbid, an entire sentence.
Don’t Limit Yourself
You want your blog to grow so that it becomes more popular and reaches more people, so don’t select a blog name that’s limiting. For example, don’t include your region or location in the name unless you plan on always writing just for that area. Don’t include details about yourself that could change.
Make It Easy to Say and Spell
It’s preferable to avoid giving your blog a name that’s a made-up word. You’re not big-time yet, so don’t challenge people by giving them a new word to remember – they’re easily forgotten. Your blog name should also be easy to spell so that if people write about it, they’ll get it right. If someone wants to visit your blog, and you’re using a creative/incorrect spelling in its name, they won’t be able to find you – worse yet, they could be directed to a competitor’s site.
Make It Good
The most important thing is that your blog name is catchy and memorable. You want people to like it or think that you’re clever. It’s not an easy thing to come up with a great name, so give yourself a lot of time to do it. Brainstorm many different possibilities, and take at least a few days to mull over the possibilities. Before you set it in stone, ask a few trusted friends and family members for feedback.
Linus R is a technologist with a heart for new media he specializes in keyword strategy for succesful blog SEO campaigns.
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