Begin to Blog: Secure a Smart Name
Choosing a name is something you really should think about from a few aspects. Whatever your niche is in, it is wise to have your blog's name fall in line with an intuitive thought on that topic. This suggestion is purely if you are interested at all in SEO. Your blog name is one of the EASIEST ways to be *found* in search results (more on SEO later).
Think about this: when you are searching for something, you probably search for the key words for that topic. That's what I do too. Without doing long and drawn out research, I'm guessing that's what most people do. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Think how they would think and try to be intuitive with your thought process and selecting your name.
As you are also considering your blog name, think about these other things:
- Is it hard to spell?
- Are there any other ways to spell the blog name?
- Are you abbreviating a word in the name?
- Does the blog name have a dash, number or other unusual key?
If you answered yes to any of those question, people may not intuitively find you while they are searching for a blog by topic. Your blog name is just one way search engines will find you, but it can't hurt to have something smart in your name if your goal is to be found! The more work it takes someone to find you, the less likely they will actually search for you (unless you're really, really good :).
Many people go directly to sites by entering the url in the toolbar. If your blog name is harder to spell, that may be challenging for them to find you. And, it can lead to frustration for someone really wanting to find your site. When you make it as easy as possible for someone to reach your blog, it's better overall! Of course, encouraging RSS or email subscriptions help to avoid spelling errors (more on that later too).
And, while I offer those suggestions, I just want to share about my blog name since my google searches come up for snacks a lot! When I started blogging, I wasn't thinking SEO. I was thinking it would be a better place to share information. Blogging is now a business for me, and while the name I chose isn't intuitive for deals, there are other techniques I have learned to help those searching for information I share to find me (those two topics will be later :).
Of course, it is perfectly fine, and I encourage you, to name your blog whatever you want! Having your blog name fall in line with your passion will help others find you. If you are passionate enough to blog about it, securing a smart name will help those searches to come to YOUR blog to hear what you have to share…and connect? Who doesn't want that?!?!
As I share that, if you have been blogging for a while, it's never too late to change your name, your brand, your tagline. If you have an audience already, this may be more challenging to do, but it can still be done.
Action Plan: Think about the name for your blog so it is intuitive to search and find. Think about any variations you feel are relevant too. Think in the future and determine other names or sites that could lead to spin-off sites for your blog.
I chose Retro Mama for many reasons; I have always been the go getter in my family and hard at work to get what I want, yet, with in the past 2 years I have found myself in a different role…”domestic engineer”. I became the person I swore I would never be but I am in love with her and can not see myself living life any differently. My co-workers started calling me Martha Stewart and then someone bought me a calendar with Retro Mama across it, that name fit like a glove.
When I started blogging it was more like a journal then I came across a “frugalistic” world I knew nothing about and am addicted to being frugal. I get a kick out of saving money and tickled when I see how much others have saved, so the thought of changing my title has crossed my mind yet I still want to keep my “name”. Being that I am not creative in that category, I am needing help and this article now has me on a mission.
Your advise would greatly be appreciated and any input on dos and don’t s for a personal blogger as well.
Thanks again for this helpful series!!
I think this is great advice for those just starting out with a blog. I wish I had considered my blog name more carefully. When I started my blog, I wasn’t thinking of it as a business or anything more than something a few friends and family members may read. I selected my blog name “Frugal in Virginia” on a whim while setting up my Blogger account. Now that my blog has gained readership and has become a business, I regret not picking a better, more carefully chosen name. Often people intuitively think my blog is just for Virginians, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. I cannot tell you how many emails I get from people that are confused about the blog title. So, from my experience, I also suggest that new bloggers hoping to gain national readership do not include a specific location in their blog title, unless they want to convey the message that their blog is more location-focused.
Dana, good suggestion! But, if your town doesn’t have a mom forum or meet-up site, you could totally use this to your advantage with a ning community or something! Some of those are location-focused and you will be popular for sure!!
Good information on your series. I am fairly new to blogging. I have more than one blog and interest. Would you suggest buying a domain for each blog.
Grace, I would definitely buy a domain for each blog.
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