Choosing the right domain name for your charity is more important than you might think. Your domain isn’t just a web address. It’s your digital identity, a first impression and a gateway to connecting with donors, volunteers and the communities you serve.
A domain name that doesn’t tick all the right boxes can impact your charity’s credibility and online reach.
Here are five common domain name mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. Using a complicated or long domain name
Short, snappy and memorable. This should be the goal when it comes to domain names for charities. Simplicity is key. Why? A long, complicated domain name can be hard to remember, type or share.
For example, HelpingChildrenInNeedUK.org might be descriptive but it’s a mouthful to read and prone to typos. Something shorter and punchier like HelpKidsUK.org will serve your charity far better.
How to avoid this domain name mistake: Choose a name that’s concise, easy to spell and reflects your charity’s mission. Test it out by saying it aloud or asking someone to type it from memory. If they struggle, it might need tweaking.
2. Not choosing the right domain extension
Your domain extension matters. This is the .org, .com, or .uk part of your website if you’re not familiar with the term.
- .org is often the most trusted and widely recognised extension for charities.
Using a less common extension like .info or .biz can confuse visitors or even strip credibility from your website.
How to avoid this domain name mistake: Stick with .org or .org.uk if possible. Consider adding a location or keyword to your domain name if those are taken, like YourCharityNameUK.org to differentiate yourself.
3. Ignoring mobile and voice search considerations
A huge 51% of consumer purchases start with an online search. Voice search technology is also becoming a common part of the buying journey. What does this mean for charities? Make sure your domain name is mobile and voice friendly. More specifically, avoid domain names that are hard to pronounce, too long or filled with special characters.
How to avoid this domain name mistake: Avoid hyphens, numbers or unusual spellings in your domain name.
4. Failing to secure similar domain names
A single domain name might seem like enough. The reality? This isn’t always the case. If you don’t secure similar variations, you risk someone else registering them. Domain name mistakes like these can confuse browsers and even support malicious activity. Spoofing or phishing attacks are big ones for charities and non-profits.
How to avoid this mistake: Register common variations of your domain, including different extensions like .com, .org, .net and slight misspellings. Redirect these domains to your main hosted site to protect your online presence.
5. Forgetting to renew your domain
It’s easy to forget about domain renewals when you’re running a busy charity and managing operating costs. But letting your domain expire can have serious consequences. Another organisation (or worse, a cybercriminal) could snap it up and leave you scrambling to reclaim your online identity.
How to avoid this mistake: Set your domain to auto-renew and make sure your payment details are always up to date.
Secure your charity’s digital identity with VS Group
At VS Group, we specialise in providing tailored digital solutions for charities and non-profits. This includes domain name registration as well as secure website hosting.
Contact us today to get a quote and learn more about how we can help secure your charity’s digital identity.
