In 2017 I decided to start my first blog (you can read my story here).
After choosing a niche I’m passionate about, I spend a couple of days agonizing over What to name my Blog?
I had a few pages filled with mind-maps where I would write everything that comes to mind and seeing what sticks!
Then, when I was happy with a couple of ideas, I would check if the domain address was available. Most of them weren’t.
*You can check it here:
But here is the truth:
The Name of your blog doesn’t matter as much as you think it does.
Some people agonize for days and weeks over the perfect name!
Guess what, there probably isn’t one. At least I don’t believe in it.
However, it still has to be good.
I’m going to help you choose a name by asking you a few questions and giving a few pointers on what all good names have.
I host my blogs with Bluehost, which allows for unlimited websites, so I host my domain names there as well. This makes it easy to just have things in one place, and they also offer a free domain name for the first year!
Why did you decide to start a blog?
Your blog name will highly depend on what you answered to “Why” you want to start a blog.
- Is it because you want to make extra income? Or quit your job completely and make money online?
- Or do you want to become a famous influencer and build a following of raving fans?
- Are you looking for a way to make a difference in the world?
- Or simply trying out a new hobby?
Whatever your answer, write it down. This will define how you treat your blog in the long run, how much you will be willing to invest in it (time, money) and how you will deliver your content.
For example, if you said you want to be an influencer, the name of your blog can be your own name. It’s done by many popular influencers now, and I think it’s a great way to go!
If your answer was to make money, change the world or have a hobby, then you can go with your name as well, or come up with one.
As you already know my first blog is called Your Art Path, and my second one was originally going to be called Your Blog Path.
They are definitely not the most creative, but they tell enough of the story to know exactly what the blog is about. One is about art and one is about blogging. I think that’s good enough! Also, they keep with my brand in a way, so that people realize they are both run by the same person.
Then, I decided that I want to make this blog that you are reading right now not just about blogging, rather about taking control over your life. So I decided to go with a shortened version of my real name – annasok.com
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How to come up with an awesome blog name:
#1. Mind Map
Write down what your blog is about and the categories you are going to be covering. Then for each of those, write whatever words first come to mind!
For example,
Blog about Art: tutorials, interviews, supplies reviews, inspiration.
Here is a visual example, but feel free to simply take out a piece of paper and a pen to do this exercise.
#2. Synonyms
The next step would be to take all of those words from your topic, categories and the words that first came to mind and research further.
Who knows? You might find a clever memorable synonym to them.
Here is a great website to look for synonyms.
#3. Research
Feel free to look around the websites/blogs you admire and see what names they have. You might get some great ideas to push from!
Also, you might notice a certain pattern in your niche. Then it’s up to you to either follow it or break it (if you have a better idea).
#4. Try a Simple Formula
You could also try playing around with words you’ve collected in the previous steps, and use one or all of these in your blog’s name:
- blog topic – what are you writing about?
- avatar – who are you writing it for?
- value – how is your blog valuable to your readers?
For example, Your (kind of relating to avatar) Art (blog topic) Path (value is taking them from point A to point B).
Let’s say your niche is to help pregnant women stay healthy. Then you could call your blog:
- pregnanthealthymom.com (avatar + blog topic/value + avatar).
Or if you want to teach young people how to travel full-time and make money on the go:
- youngrichtraveller.com (avatar + value + blog topic).
Play around with all of these options and you will come up with a name you are proud of!
Join the Free “Start a Blog” email course I created for you!
In it you will learn how to choose a blogging niche and a name, when you can expect to make money, how much it costs to run a blog/month, how to get free traffic and so much more!
4 Things To Avoid
- Misspelling Words on Purpose
- Names That are Too Long
- Adding Irrelevant Information
- Words that don’t mean anything
The last thing you want is for people who try to find your blog not being able to spell your blog’s name, or forgetting it or being taken to a different person’s social media account.
You want your domain url to look nice, and be easy to read and spell.
For example, which one do you prefer?
- blogmoneysuccess.com
or
- startablogtomakemoneyandbesuccessful.com
or
- blogforthatmonneeeyyyyo.com
I feel that the second option is way too long and hard to read. The third option is shorter, but how is the reader supposed to remember the correct amount of misspelled letters? The first one is short, sweet and to the point – definitely a better option.
Always Double Check
Before you start creating a logo, designing your website and telling your friends about your new blog – make sure you do your research.
- Check if the url/domain name is already taken
- Check if your chosen name is available on all social media platforms: Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc.
Things to Consider
- Will you be able to branch out to different topics in the future with this name?
- Maybe you could use abbreviations?
You might never change your blog’s topic and be happy with your initial choice. However, what if you decide to branch into different areas later on? Maybe you should give it some thought if you are considering it to be an option.
Also, abbreviations might come in handy. I could just have a website yap.com (short for Your Art Path). While it’s easy to remember the 3 letters, the name is not as meaningful as the full version. So, it might not be the best choice.
Biggest Takeaway: Be Easy to Find, Remember and Spell.
Next Steps
After you came up with a name and checked the URL availability as well as social media platforms – you should go ahead and secure the domain name for yourself.
If you are just starting a blog, you should go ahead and read my step by step guide on How to Start a Successful Blog.
It will walk you through all of the first steps you need to take in great detail. Including how to sign up for hosting and domain name.
Related Articles:
- 24 Truths You Need to Know About Blogging Before You Get Started
- The only 10 Plugins You Need on Your Blog
- I’m a Passion Blogger, are you?
