Creating a cohesive online presence is critical for brand recognition, but what happens if your perfect username is already taken? Whether it’s for a domain name or social media, finding that your ideal handle is unavailable can feel like a roadblock. Don’t worry—you have plenty of options to creatively and strategically work around this. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do if your desired username or domain isn’t available.
Why Is My Ideal Username Taken?
There are a few common reasons why your preferred name isn’t available:
• Inactivity: Someone might own the username but hasn’t used it in years. It’s frustrating to see an account with no posts since 2017!
• Other Industry Use: Someone in a different country or industry could already be using it.
• Domain Squatting: Unfortunately, some people buy popular names to sell them for a profit later. This practice is especially common with domain names, where resellers buy up high-demand names and charge a premium.
Strategies to Find a Great Alternative
If you can’t get the exact name you want, here are some effective ways to find an alternative without sacrificing your brand identity.
- Add Keywords Related to Your Industry
Consider adding a keyword that reflects what your business does. This can make your name more searchable and provide context right away. For example:
If your business is named “Opal” and is a Mexican restaurant, consider variations like OpalMexicanRestaurant, OpalTaqueria or OpalEats. This approach improves your SEO (search engine optimization) by making it easier for search engines and users to identify what you do at a glance.
2. Incorporate Location-Specific Terms
If you’re a local business, adding your city or region can make your name more relevant to your local audience. For instance:
- OpalAustin or OpalTexas
- This also helps with SEO, especially for local searches, making it more likely that people in your area will find your business online.
3. Use Modifiers Like “The,” “Official,” or “Get”
Simple words like “The,” “Official,” or “Get” can add a unique twist while keeping your brand name recognizable. For example:
- TheOpal, OfficialOpal or GetOpal
- These terms work well across industries, and they’re especially helpful if your brand name alone isn’t enough to get the username you need.
4. Avoid Platform-Specific Usernames
If you’re considering different usernames for each platform, think twice! Consistency is key for brand recognition and SEO. Having the same username across all platforms makes it easier for customers to find you and builds a more cohesive brand image. Try to find a username that can work across all platforms, even if it requires minor tweaks like underscores or abbreviations.
5. Consider Rebranding or Finding an Alternative Name
While it may not be ideal, especially if you’ve already started building your brand, finding an alternative name might be necessary if you can’t secure consistency. Before settling on a new name, check its availability across platforms and register it as a domain if possible.
Why SEO Matters for Your Username
Every social media platform and search engine uses algorithms to rank and display content. When choosing an alternative username, look for one that incorporates keywords relevant to your business. This can help your brand rank better in searches and become more discoverable by people looking for your products or services.
For example, the name Opal alone doesn’t indicate what your business does, but OpalMexicanRestaurant tells search engines (and potential customers) exactly what they need to know. This can significantly reduce the time it takes for your brand to gain visibility.
Things to Avoid
Using Symbols or Numbers Without Purpose: Adding random numbers or underscores can make your username look unprofessional and difficult to remember. If symbols are necessary, try to keep them simple and purposeful.
Contacting the Account Owner: While it might seem worth trying, contacting the account owner to ask for the name rarely works out. If they respond, they might charge a hefty price, which can be out of budget for many small businesses.
Protect Your Brand: Register and Trademark
Once you’ve secured a username, take the extra step of registering it as a trademark if possible. Many businesses overlook this early on, only to find they have to rebrand once they grow, costing time and resources. Trademarks protect your brand and make it easier to enforce your rights if someone else tries to use a similar name.
Final Thoughts
Although finding out your desired name isn’t available can be disappointing, it can also be an opportunity to get creative and strategically enhance your brand’s discoverability. By incorporating SEO-friendly keywords, using location-based modifiers, and ensuring cross-platform consistency, you can build a memorable, searchable brand—even without the exact username you initially wanted.
Remember, the right name is out there, and with these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to creating a unique online presence that your audience can easily find and recognize.
