{"id":6707,"date":"2025-03-30T18:31:26","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T16:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/?p=6707"},"modified":"2025-06-03T15:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T13:24:13","slug":"10-rules-for-choosing-a-domain-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/blog\/news\/nom-de-domaine-10-regles-pour-bien-le-choisir\/","title":{"rendered":"Domain names: 10 rules for choosing the right one in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A domain name is essential for the creation of your website and personalized emails. A good choice of domain name can be the key to your success and should therefore be taken very seriously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LRob will soon be offering domain name registration. In the meantime, we're here to help you set them up properly and make the right choices for your project. This is your chance to take stock and choose the right domain names!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before delving into the heart of the matter, if you're looking for a <strong>high-performance, secure web hosting with real human support<\/strong>discover our accommodation offers at <strong>LRob<\/strong> : <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/web-hosting\/\">https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/hebergement-web\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So: which name to choose, which extension to choose, with or without hyphen, what are the pitfalls to avoid and the best practices to apply?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#quest-ce-quun-nom-de-domaine\">What is a domain name?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#1-verifiez-que-le-nom-nest-pas-deja-pris-par-un-concurrent\">1. Check that the name is not already taken by a competitor<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#2-choisissez-une-extension-adaptee-a-votre-cible-geographique\">2. Choose an extension suited to your geographical target<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#3-utilisez-une-extension-adaptee-a-votre-secteur\">3. Use the right extension for your sector<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#4-optez-pour-un-nom-de-domaine-court\">4. Choose a short domain name<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#5-assurez-vous-quil-soit-facile-a-epeler\">5. Make sure it's easy to spell<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#6-pensez-strategique-marque-ou-mot-cle\">6. Think strategic: brand or keyword?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#7-evitez-les-ambiguites-et-les-caracteres-piegeux\">7. Avoid ambiguities and tricky characters<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#8-securisez-les-variantes-importantes-du-domaine\">8. Secure important domain variants<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#9-inspirez-confiance-avec-votre-nom-et-votre-extension\">9. Inspire confidence with your name and extension<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#10-verifiez-la-disponibilite-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux\">10. Check availability on social networks<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#bonus-testez-votre-nom-aupres-de-vraies-personnes\">Bonus: test your name with real people<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#en-resume\">In a nutshell<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"quest-ce-quun-nom-de-domaine\">What is a domain name?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>domain name<\/strong> is the human-readable address for a website. It's what you type into your browser, such as <code>example.tld<\/code>. It generally consists of two parts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit <strong>name<\/strong> (for example : <em>example<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>L'<strong>extension<\/strong>also known as <strong>TLD<\/strong> (<em>Top-Level Domain<\/em>) as <code>.com<\/code>, <code>.en<\/code>, <code>.net<\/code>etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit <strong>TLD<\/strong> are managed by entities called <strong>registers<\/strong> (or <em>registries<\/em> in English), like AFNIC for the <code>.en<\/code> or Verisign for <code>.com<\/code>. Visit <strong>registrars<\/strong> (registrars) are the companies from which you can purchase these domains (such as Gandi, OVH, etc.). At LRob, we don't register domains, but we can advise you objectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you've got your domain name, you can create as many sub-domains as you like. The most common sub-domain is <code>www<\/code>such that <code>www.exemple.tld<\/code> is a subdomain of <code>example.tld<\/code>. All you need to do is ensure that your hosting provider is compatible to host these sub-domains, which is the case for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/web-hosting\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/hebergement-web\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">web hosting<\/a> LRob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-verifiez-que-le-nom-nest-pas-deja-pris-par-un-concurrent\">1. Check that the name is not already taken by a competitor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, do your research. If a major competitor is already using the name, or something very close to it, this can cause confusion, damage your credibility and even cause legal problems. A tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/domain-info\/\">whois <\/a>to check availability. <strong>This should be checked as soon as you choose your brand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Also do a Google search to see if the name is already very present or associated with another brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-choisissez-une-extension-adaptee-a-votre-cible-geographique\">2. Choose an extension suited to your geographical target<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're targeting France, choose a <strong>.en<\/strong>. For a European audience, the <strong>.eu<\/strong> is relevant. If your business is international, the <strong>.com<\/strong> remains a safe bet. Regional extensions (such as <code>.bzh<\/code> for Brittany) can also make sense depending on your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-utilisez-une-extension-adaptee-a-votre-secteur\">3. Use the right extension for your sector<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So-called extensions <em>news<\/em> or sector-specific URLs display your field of activity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><code>.shop<\/code> for online stores<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><code>.org<\/code> for associations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><code>.tech<\/code> for tech projects<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><code>.design<\/code>, <code>.art<\/code>, <code>.photo<\/code>...according to your world<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They may be more available than <code>.com<\/code> and add a touch of originality, while remaining professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-optez-pour-un-nom-de-domaine-court\">4. Choose a short domain name<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A shorter name is easier to remember, quicker to type, and reduces the risk of error. Try to aim for <strong>less than 15 characters<\/strong> if possible. Hyphens should be avoided except in special cases, as they complicate oral communication (e.g.: \"mon-tres-joli-site.com\").<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-assurez-vous-quil-soit-facile-a-epeler\">5. Make sure it's easy to spell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A good test: say the name out loud to someone. If the person doesn't know how to spell it, or makes a mistake, it may be too complex. Avoid puns that are too subtle, numbers that replace letters, or foreign words that are difficult to spell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-pensez-strategique-marque-ou-mot-cle\">6. Think strategic: brand or keyword?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're building a strong brand, the name needs to be original and unique. Example: <em>lrob.fr<\/em>.<br>If you'd like to position yourself quickly in a sector via natural search engine optimization (SEO), integrate a <strong>keyword<\/strong> relevant to the field can be judicious: <code>garage-nantes.fr<\/code>, <code>photographe-lyon.com<\/code>etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-evitez-les-ambiguites-et-les-caracteres-piegeux\">7. Avoid ambiguities and tricky characters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some letters or combinations can be confusing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The uppercase \"i\" and the lowercase \"l\" (we know what we're talking about, as LRob is often mistaken for iRob... to the point where we've also reserved the variants with an \"i\"!).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The \"0\" and the \"o<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hard-to-read double and triple letters (such as <code>assso.com<\/code>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check also that the name does not form an inappropriate word when read in full (the famous \"penisland.net\" for \"Pen Island\"...).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-securisez-les-variantes-importantes-du-domaine\">8. Secure important domain variants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you only use the <code>.en<\/code>it may be strategic to also record the <code>.com<\/code>, <code>.net<\/code> or <code>.eu<\/code> so that no one else gets hold of them. You can redirect them to your main site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This protects your brand and reduces the risk of phishing or spoofing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-inspirez-confiance-avec-votre-nom-et-votre-extension\">9. Inspire confidence with your name and extension<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A credible, legible and well-constructed domain name gives you confidence. An extension recognized as <code>.en<\/code>, <code>.com<\/code>, <code>.org<\/code> or <code>.net<\/code> is often more reassuring than an obscure or dubious TLD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Names that are too far-fetched, long or unrelated to the business can put off visitors and search engines alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-verifiez-la-disponibilite-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux\">10. Check availability on social networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It's not a mandatory rule, but it's a real plus: if the name you choose is also free on social networks (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.), you ensure brand consistency across all channels. Tools like <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/namecheckr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">namecheckr.com<\/a> are just a click away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bonus-testez-votre-nom-aupres-de-vraies-personnes\">Bonus: test your name with real people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before finalizing your choice, do a quick test around you or with your target audience. Do people understand the name? Can they remember it after 10 minutes? Can they type it without error? A small survey can avoid big mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"en-resume\">In a nutshell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right domain name isn't easy, but it's absolutely essential if you're to lay a solid foundation for your online presence. It's a strategic choice, at once technical, marketing and sometimes emotional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At <strong>LRob<\/strong>we'll help you with the rest, so just choose <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/web-hosting\/\">secure, fast web hosting designed for WordPress, with real human support<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need a hand finding the perfect name? <a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Ask us your questions<\/a>that's what we're here for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Le nom de domaine est requis pour la cr\u00e9ation de votre site internet et de vos emails personnalis\u00e9s. Un bon choix de nom de domaine peut \u00eatre la cl\u00e9 de votre succ\u00e8s et doit donc \u00eatre pris tr\u00e8s au s\u00e9rieux. LRob proposera prochainement l&rsquo;enregistrement de noms de domaines. En attendant, nous vous aidons \u00e0 bien [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6707"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7407,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6707\/revisions\/7407"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lrob.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}