How Long Should a Domain Name Be?

You might not think something as simple as a URL would carry much weight when it comes to the success of your business. However, having a well-chosen domain can truly make a difference in your website’s search rankings and the ability for potential clients to find you easily. One element to consider is how long a domain name should be. While there is not necessarily a perfect length, there are some vital components to these URLs that should not be missed.

Memorability Matters More than Length

The length of a domain name is not as crucial as how memorable it is. Many lawyers have domains that are just letters that are an acronym for the partners in their practice and then tack on “law” or “law firm” to the end, like Guvnnlaw.com. While this is a relatively short domain name, it might not be as memorable, and people will not visit a website as much if they cannot remember how to get to it.

To avoid this, I recommend choosing simple and memorable words over focusing on length. Another reason shorter is not always better is that, for the most part, the shorter URLs like injurylawyer.com are difficult to obtain or are already taken. A domain name like lonestarinjuryattorneys.com is much longer, but it is memorable and contains the keywords that most people in the area who need an injury attorney would be searching for.

It is also essential to keep in mind that by memorable, I do not mean catchy. Simple English terms that describe who you are, what you do, and where you are located are best when choosing a good domain name for a law firm. From an SEO standpoint, trying to come up with catchy words or phrases in a URL is typically better suited for other professions. This is because when someone in the area is in need of legal help, they are not usually going to be searching for a catchphrase; they will be searching for terms such as “best personal injury attorney in my area” or “divorce lawyer in Houston.”

Can a Domain Name be Too Long?

The drawbacks of having a too-short domain are potential unavailability, not being memorable enough, and not containing any helpful keywords for Google. Alternatively, if a domain name is too long, this could pose some issues. Something over the top, such as thebestpersonalinjurylawyersinhoustonthattheycanfind.com, dilutes the power of the keywords and is challenging to remember.

It is important to be intentional when choosing a URL so that every word you include will be useful or necessary for your business. When considering how long a domain name should be, find a happy medium where you do not have too many excess words but enough to get full use out of your keywords.

Enlist Our Help Finding the Perfect Length for Your Domain Name

Small Firm Legal Marketing focuses on providing solutions to help you broaden your client base and optimize your law firm for success. Contact us today for more information on website basics, including how long your domain name should be, how to choose a good domain, and why this process matters.