The domain name of your website can help or hinder people from getting to your website.
Previously, we discussed how your website is the front door to your church.
Your domain name is one of the main pathways to that front door. A good domain name makes it easy to makes it easy for people to get to your website. A not-so-good domain name makes it difficult for people to get to your website.
So, let’s talk about some important tips for choosing a good domain name (and mistakes to avoid).
But before we do that. We don’t want to make any assumptions. So, let’s start with some
Need to Know Info about Domain Names
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique, easy-to-remember address that identifies a website. For example, our domain name is OurChurch.com
Why do we have domain names?
Every server or online resource has an IP address like “192.153.2.46.” This long string of numbers is difficult to remember, so back in 1983 internet pioneers came up with the idea for domain names that would be easier for people to remember, along with the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates a domain name to its associated IP address.
What is the structure of a domain name?
Every domain name consists of a:
- Top-Level Domain (TLD): This is the extension at the end, such as “.com”, “.org”, or “.net”
- Second-Level Domain (SLD): This is the unique name of the website, such as “OurChurch” in “OurChurch.com”
- (Optional) Sub-domain: This the “MyOCC” part of MyOCC.OurChurch.com
Common Domain Name Selection Mistakes
Unfortunately, many organizations make one of the following mistakes when selecting a domain name for their website.
1. The domain name is too long
If the name is church name is First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota Beach, there may be a desire to select the domain name FirstPresbyterianChurchSarasotaBeach.com, but that name is painfully long to type into a web browser and it would likely be misspelled.
2. The domain name is a hard-to-remember acronym
If the name of your church is St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Safety Harbor, obviously the domain name StPaulAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurchSafetyHarbor.org is too long (and so is StPaulAMEChurchSafetyHarbor.org) but SPAMECSH.org is also going to be difficult for anyone to remember.
3. The domain name doesn’t have a clear connection to the church
Some churches try to be cute or memorable in their domain name, so they will use something like GodLivesHere.com or AllWelcomAtChurch.com but there isn’t an easily understandable connection between the church and the domain name.
4. The domain name is inappropriate (or close to it)
There’s a school here in the Tampa Bay area called Family of Christ whose mascot is the Knights. FOCKnights would have been an bad choice for a domain name. If the name of your church is Woodlawn Tabernacle Fellowship of Boise, you don’t want to be using its acronym.
Domain Name Selection Tips
1. Keep it short and identifiable
When choosing a domain name, try to keep it short but make it identifiable and memorable. Also think about how you will use it on things like shirts, outdoor signage, business cards, etc.
Keeping with the example of First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota Beach, using FirstPresChurchSB.com or 1stPresChurchSB.com would be good options.
2. Consider newer TLDs
Decades ago domain options were limited to .com, .org, and .net. But today, there are a whole host of other Top Level Domain options available like .church, .faith, and .us.
3. Get feedback before making a final choice
Perhaps the best advice, though, is to get feedback from multiple people before making a final decision. And make sure that feedback comes from a variety of people – different age groups, different demographics. What might seem like a good domain name to a team of 60+ year old elders might make everyone one under the age of 25 🤣or 🤦♀️.
Bonus domain name tip
Finally, when using your domain name on any visible media (where the domain name will be read), always capitalize the first letter of each part of domain name. Using the examples above, which of these is easier for you to read?
- firstpreschurchsb.com vs. FirstPresChurchSB.com
- 1stpreschurchsb.com vs. 1stPresChurchSB.com
The second option because it breaks up the domain name in easily identifiable sections.
The bottom line…
Choose a domain name that is short, identifiable, and memorable. – Mark Steinbrueck
Get your domain name, hosting, web design, and marketing in one place
Do you have a domain name that is long, confusing, or not identifiable? You can always add an additional domain name to your website while keeping the old domain name working for a year or longer.
And if you want to simplify your life with just one bill and one support team, get your church domain name registration from the same company that you get your church web hosting, church website design, and church SEO.
Complete the form below (mobile) or to the right (desktop) to talk with a member of our team!
Comment and Discuss
- What’s the domain name of your website?
- What led you to choose that domain name?
Read more articles in our Church Outreach blog series…
President at OurChurch.Com
Mark has served as the President of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, leading the Custom Website and Sales departments with dedication and expertise.
Over the years, he has managed hundreds of custom website, graphic design, and marketing projects for churches, non-profits, businesses, and schools.
Beyond his professional work, Mark is deeply committed to serving his community. He coordinates and packs over 700 meals each week for children through One Community Now’s Pack A Sack for Kids program, volunteers in the Children’s Ministry at Generations Christian Church, and participates in a weekly Bible study.
