How do you pick a blog name? This is a little more difficult than it sounds. When I see a blog name, I know right away if I want to see the blog. Boring names that sound like someone is just recording what they ate that day I avoid. Un-creative names point to an un-creative blog. Interesting fun names usually point to a blog I want to read.
Think of a name that would sound good as the name for a TV show. Scratch that. Come up with a name that would sound good as a book title. And if you plan to sell something on your blog one day, would that name look good and sound good as the brand name of a product? See? Did you think of that? Mustard Seed Paint sounds cool, Anita’s thoughts on life on a can of paint doesn’t work for me.
When you pick a blog name, you are branding yourself. Do you see that name on a book one day? If it looks too boring to be the name of a best seller, keep looking. This is like naming a kid, if your blog is successful, and let’s just assume now that it will be, you will using this name for a long time.
So what would look good on your future book?
What name would best work with what you plan to write on your blog?
If you plan to sell a product one day, would this name look good on it?
If you plan to work for a magazine one day, would that name appeal to an editor?
You may be thinking that your blog is just a place to record your thoughts. That is fine, but if you think you might want to do more with it one day, I encourage you to at least think about these things.
Some blog names mention a particular color like blue or white. I think that is fine, but for me, I don’t want to guarantee that I will stick with a particular color forever so I hesitate to do that.
I like names that are quirky and fun. Here are a few blog names that I especially like.
You’re Talking Too Much
Freckled Laundry
Funky Junk
Stone Gable
52 Flea
Ticking and Toile
I think it is good if someone can read the name of your blog and figure out what it is about, but that is not necessary. I like the blog name Fiona and Twig that does not really describe what it is about yet it sounds intriguing. I am not as excited about a name that describes the blog isn’t fresh and exciting. Also the shorter the better, since you will want a dainty URL.
Be sure to check for trademarks, because if you are using a name that is already trademarked, you could get into trouble later there.
Buy a domain name
This is what I wish I had done. Just go buy it. It should be about $10 for a year. Seriously if you decide you are done with blogging next week, you’re out, what a couple of cups of Starbucks?
But if you decide you like blogging, then you already have your brand and a domain name that you can transfer later to your own hosting. You don’t have to worry if you can buy the domain name, you will already have it.
I wish I had just bought CedarHill-Ranch a long time ago. By the time I checked I could only get Cedarhill-ranch.com since cedarhillranch.com was already taken. Also now I am having to get everyone used to the new domain name. And let’s face it, which looks better cedarhill-ranch.com or cedarhillranch.blogspot.com?
We’ll get into wordpress versus blogspot blogs later, but just know that you will want your own domain name. If you start out out with a free blogspot blog, your address can be your own domain name. Then if you switch to a paid wordpress blog later, you don’t have to get people used to a new domain name later on down the road, or worry about losing readers when you make the big switch.
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I really like this post, very informative. I tried going to A Cozy’s place blog like you recommended but she must have her blog privacy settings that restrict public views…It says “You have not been invited to read this blog” LOL
Don’t google Bliss Ranch just in case I’m not the first thing to show up. You will either get the Alpaca farm people or adult toys!
great post. I was so fly by the seat of my pants when I selected my name! The name I first wanted was already taken by a blog, and 3 years later they have yet to post to their blog. Just a creepy purple face staring at you from the home page LOL!
That said, I’m glad I still like what I chose, but I am finding that even though I love my logo, when I am at shows or the shop, people identify me as “Pink” and seem to miss the “postcard” that is also part of my name. So I think I will have to tweak things there…. thanks for the info!
Good advice! I know from experience that there are people who scout Google searches and domain-name searches to buy names that people looked into. If you have a name you like…do not search for it until you are actually ready to pay at the time you see if it is available or not. Otherwise if you don’t pay for it right then someone will buy it later that day and lock it up to sell. I did buy my blog/domain name, just in case.
Wonderul post, Anita! And thanks for the shout out! I some times wonder “what was she/he thinking” when I come across a blog with a name like.. Dowdy Dot or My Dull Life!
I only wish I would have known some of these things when I first started blogging.
This is worth sharing over and over!
Great tips! I agree, a dotcom looks so much better. I’m looking into it as we speak!
Jeanine
I wish I had read that before I started to blog….LOL….very useful info Anita…..Christine from Little Brags
Good article. I so agree. When you start, if you start with the idea that you WILL be on a can of paint one day, or a magazine or book cover, you aren’t really investing a lot but in the long run, you’re ready IF it ever happens.
In my case, I most likely am not quite as visible in the chicken world had I chosen a name with the word ‘chicken’ in it, but I’m pretty happy that I left my options a bit open and am now branching out into the duck world very seamlessly. My name I think is descriptive, but leaves me lattitude to be a chicken blog, duck blog, cooking blog, homesteading blog etc. And *I think it’s a sort of intriguing name that will make others want to read more!
I, too, had to settle for dashes tho, the domain name is taken and the owner won’t sell :0(
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com
I really enjoyed reading this and am looking forward to your comparison between wordpress and blogspot. I actually had some major issues last night with google admin. and was told I might lose my domain because I couldn’t log in to renew. 12 hours later, it is finally resolved…I think! It’s worth noting it is easy to get a domain name if you make up a word in your name, such as refeathered!
I thought through all these things when I began Botanic Bleu, and have bought the domain name for .com, and .net.
Obviously using a color name like Bleu does appeal to me. French spelling of Bleu gives an automatic subtle link to French connections.
I have checked into getting the copyright on the name, but those are BIG bucks for a little blog. Perhaps one day I will pursue this and pay the lawyer to set it up and pay the US govt. the big fees.
Your suggestions and advice to new bloggers is good for those of us who are relatively new. Always nice to hear a seasoned blogger’s suggestions.
Judith
Great Tips: I’m new as in I started blogging three weeks ago. I wish I knew more.I appreciate you sharing your wisdom with us.
Love that you are giving blogging tips – I was going to email you and ask you to do that! 🙂
Anita, can you do a post on how to increase your google page rank? I have been trying to read up on it, and I have chunks of hair in my hand, because I feel as though they are talking in circles. Since you are such an elegant writer, maybe you could help a sister out!?
Great points! I wish I had bought thethinkingcloset.com as soon as I started my WordPress.com blog…but of course, I didn’t, and someone else scooped it up (someone who is not even using it). Thinkingcloset.com is a fine substitute but the perfectionist in me always feels incomplete without that “the” at the front. (Time to get over it, Lauren.) 😉
Warmly,
Lauren
The Thinking Closet
I am Ms Tardy to the Party here. But so glad I came at the end. 2014 was supposed to be the year I started my dream of a blog. But still shivering from fear and excuses it’s 2015. But I did accelerate my research. And just this week found some of the best information. Including this. I have decided on a name and reading your post has me tweaking it to include my name. And your right for $10 securing that name makes sense. So off I go. But how would you suggest I research to make sure no one else is using it or something similar? I have spent days searching for blogs or even shops with the name I want. I have an etsy shop which I want to tie together.
Thank You. Barbara Ann
etsy.com /shop/barbaraannscreations
How to search? Google and the trademark office I think would be good places to search.