Registering a domain name that captures current trends can be a great way to drive traffic and interest to your website or business. With some planning and research, you can identify rising trends and secure a domain name that allows you to capitalize on them. This article will provide tips and strategies for brainstorming, researching, and registering trend-focused domain names.
Brainstorm Trending Topics
The first step is to brainstorm lists of trending topics and themes that could form the basis of a good domain name. Here are some strategies for generating ideas:
- Look at trending hashtags on social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Hashtags like #booktok for book recommendations on TikTok suggest potential domain names like bookwav.com.
- Use Google Trends to identify rising search terms. Spikes in searches for terms like “Wordle” or “AMC stock” could inspire domains like wordgamehub.com or memestocknews.com.
- Look at dirndl.com and vallentine.com for inspiration. Both take current popular terms (dirndl dresses and Valentine’s Day respectively) and use them as domains.
- Read trend reports published by marketing companies about expected hot trends in your industry. For example, a toy industry report could predict trends like fidget toys and 1990s nostalgia.
- Think seasonally. Are there holiday or event-related domains worth registering like PumpkinRecipes.com before fall?
- Track real-world events like new product releases, celebrity news, or policy changes that point to trends.
The goal is to generate a large list of potential trending topics that could translate into memorable and descriptive domain names.
Perform Keyword Research
Once you have brainstormed trending themes and terms, the next step is to use keyword research to assess which options have the most search volume and traffic potential. Use these steps:
- Input different keyword variations into Google Keyword Planner or a similar tool. Look at the average monthly search volume for each. Higher numbers indicate more interest.
- Do searches for your top keyword ideas and look at the top-ranking sites. Ones that rank high likely already have authoritative domains. You may need to be more creative.
- Use a tool like SEMrush to look at related keywords and topics around your core terms. This can uncover angles you may not have considered.
- Look for rising search volumes over time for terms rather than just absolute numbers. Growing traffic indicates an upward trend.
Keywords with decent search volume that relate to emerging trends are strong candidates for domain names. Avoid generic terms with excessive competition.
Check Domain Availability
Once you have researched and selected possible domain names, it’s time to check availability. Here are some tips:
- Use a domain registration search tool and input your top choices one by one. Take note of any available options.
- Try different extensions like .com, .net, .co, .site etc. if the .com isn’t available.
- Test abbreviations and alternate spellings if your initial domain idea isn’t available.
- Consider using hyphens, numbers, or other separators if an exact match domain name isn’t possible.
- Gauge if traffic from social media or links could help a non-.com extension still rank well.
- Do not infringe on trademarks or reuse brands without permission in your domain.
Domain availability should be a key factor in filtering your ideas further.
Evaluate Domain Names
With a list of available domains in hand, now conduct an evaluation to select the best options. Here are key criteria to use:
- Memorability: is the name short, catchy, and easy to remember? PumpkinRecipes.com is more memorable than ThePumpkinZoneCookbookWebsite.com.
- Simplicity: is the name simple and easy to understand at a glance? FidgetCentral.com is better than CoolToysWithSpinners.com.
- Spellability: does the name include tricky spelling that could lead to mistakes? BestFarmFoods.com is more user-friendly than FarmerFreshProduce.com.
- TRENDS: Does the name clearly incorporate rising trends and themes while still feeling current?
- Brand potential: can the domain work for a brand long-term and not just temporary trends?
- Keyword targeting: does the domain optimize 1-2 core keyword terms?
Run background checks on finalists and ensure there are no major problems before registering.
Register and Configure Domains
When you’ve selected your domains, it’s time to register them. Here are tips:
- Use reputable registrars like GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Bluehost. Compare pricing between them.
- Opt for a 1-year registration first in case the trends change and you want to abandon the domain later. You can renew for longer periods.
- Configure domains to forward to existing websites or set up hosting and install content directly on trend domains.
- Point domain name servers to appropriate hosting providers right away.
- Use registrar tools to configure email, privacy protection, and other settings.
- Create social media profiles and accounts related to new trend domains.
- Start promoting and sharing your new domains to build relevance and traffic.
Properly configuring and setting up new trend-based domains helps ensure you capitalize on their full potential faster.
Create Content Strategies
To leverage your trend domains fully, develop customized content strategies. Here are proven tactics:
- Publish blog posts elaborating on the core trend concept. Offer added insights.
- Create trend-related resources like glossaries, statistics reports, buying guides, or quizzes.
- Use social media to highlight real-time news related to the trend and engage followers.
- Develop products or services that align with the concept of the domain if relevant.
- Guest post on authority sites in your niche to gain backlinks and raise the domain’s profile.
- Monitor SEO metrics and tweak content to capture more traffic from trend-related searches.
Adjust your approach as trends evolve but stay closely aligned with original concepts conveyed by the domain name.
Redirect Strategies When Trends Fade
While some trend domains will remain relevant long-term, others will naturally fade over time. Strategies for handling expiring trends include:
- Redirecting the domain to capture residual search traffic and redirect it to current projects.
- Selling the domain on marketplaces like Flippa if another brand could capitalize on residual equity.
- Repurposing the domain for a new trend-based project if the name still works.
- Letting the registration lapse if upkeep costs exceed value but monitor metrics.
- Using domain age and existing traffic to build a new evergreen site about non-trend topics.
Even a domain that loses relevancy over time often retains advantages worth capitalizing on, rather than simply dropping it.
Conclusion
Registering domains aligned with rising trends takes research, creativity and ongoing optimization, but can provide a faster path to traffic and authority. By brainstorming smart names, assessing availability and competition, evaluating options, configuring new registrations, and developing strong content strategies, you can build sites that rank well and make the most of timely topics and themes. With the right approach, trend-based domains can become valuable assets. Just stay ready to adapt domains as trends evolve or consider smart redirect strategies when their seasons eventually pass.