Domain name generator

A domain name is a public website address, and it’s what you type in a browser’s URL search bar to locate any website on the internet.

Domain names are actually the user-friendly version of what’s going on behind the scenes when a user makes a search online. For identity purposes, every computer using the internet has an assigned IP address. Each computer on this network can communicate with other computers. An IP address is a series of unique numbers that would be very challenging to memorize. Instead of having to commit thousands of numerical codes to memory to search for websites, we use domain names. They allow us to create unique digital addresses that can be easily typed and searched.

Creating a catchy domain name that’s also the right choice for your business long term is a challenge, but well worth the effort! The domain name you choose will become a significant part of your brand identity going forward.

Here are some tips to help you choose a catchy domain name:

• • Choose the right domain name extension
• • Make sure your domain name is short and reflective of your brand
• • Avoid using avoiding hyphens and numbers
• • Try using a free slogan generator to brainstorm ideas

Choosing the right domain extension means selecting the end of your domain address. You could choose a top level domain like a .com or a .org, or, choose regional domain like .ca. To make this decision, you should consider where your community and customers currently are, and where they may be in the future.

Since you’re trying to find a catchy domain name, you might have more luck finding the domain you want with a regional domain extension or by using a newer top level domain (like .xyz, for example).

Once you select the perfect domain name, see if it’s available in other domain extensions as well. If it is, you might want to buy those domains as well to protect your brand for the future.

When deciding on a domain name, here’s a few questions to ask yourself:

• - Will your business operate out of its home country primarily? If so, a regional domain name extension (like a .ca or .uk) might be a great choice.
• - What domain names are your direct competitors using? You want to make sure that your brand or business stands out from the competition, especially in smaller regional markets.
• - If you’re choosing a regional domain, is the .com also available? If so, it might be a good strategy to buy your domain in several extensions to safeguard your brand for the future.
• - Are the social media handles that match your domain name available too? Ideally, you want your domain names and social media usernames to be an exact match. This helps quickly build brand identity and helps your customers or community find you easier.

You can use the Shopify Domain Name Generator to search for a domain and see if it’s available to purchase. Once you search for domain names that you’re interested in, you’ll be able to see if it’s available with the annual pricing noted. When you see an annual price, you can tap through to reserve your brand name on Shopify and register your domain.

The best domain names are simple, catchy and easy to spell. This means avoiding hyphens and numbers, that can be more difficult to remember or prone to typos. A good domain name should be aligned with the brand or business you want to create and it should give visitors a hint about what they can expect when they land on your website.

The difference between a .ca and a .com domain name is that .com is the most common top level domain used internationally, and a .ca is a regional domain for Canada. A country specific domain can be an advantage if you operate business in one location primarily. It will subtly tell your customers that you’re a local company, and that you might have better shipping and support options for them. Regional domains typically have more availability too, so if you’ve already selected a brand name or you’re trying to find a catchy domain name, it’s more likely to be available. Registering a .ca domain name has some restrictions, you must be a Canadian citizen at the age of majority to register, a permanent resident, or have a corporation, trust or partnership that meets the requirements set out by the CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority).

Regional domain extensions can make for great alternatives to a .com domain if a business or an individual plans to mainly operate and market services within their home country. In most cases, regional domain extensions have more availability so it’s easier to secure desired domain names.

There are also several other popular top level domain extensions which can be great options too. Other popular top level domains include .org, .info, .net, .biz and .online.

There are some new top level domains that are rising in popularity as well, including .shop, .xyz, .vip, .fit, .blog, .co, .website and .store.

If you want to look local, the easiest way to do it is to choose a regional domain extension like .ca or .co.uk.

Other ways you can look like a local company on your website is by displaying your country flag and currency to your website. This helps customers understand that you will charge in their local currency and be able to ship products to them at affordable rates.

Using the domain name generator tool above, enter keyword(s) that are important to you, and the tool will suggest domain names that are an exact match for your keywords with multiple different domain name extensions. The tool will also generate alternative suggestions that incorporate related keywords that have some modifications to provide more options to consider.

Once you’ve found the perfect domain, click the arrow on the far right to begin locking it in. The next step will be to reserve your brand name on Shopify.

The domain name generator is available for free to everyone. Run as many searches as you want or until you find the domain name that best fits your business. The only cost to you is registering the domain name so you can own it. Make sure you let others know about the free domain name generator offered by Shopify.

Not finding your perfect domain name using the tool yet? Try adding another qualifying keyword. Some common qualifiers are location, product or industry. This additional keyword will help the domain name generator tool come up with stronger and more relevant suggestions. Try multiple different keywords that are significant to your brand individually, then try adding a few keywords to the generator at once to get more suggestions.