Blogging Journey: Should I use my own name as my domain?

I am all about admitting my faults and the excuses I have made along the way that has caused my blogging journey to start far later than I have been dreaming about it. One of the biggest excuses was not being decisive in the very important and very entry stage – the decision about my domain name. 

Choosing a domain name is a valuable step, and yes, it deserves time and thoughtfulness. 

My personal struggle was a constant back and forth in trying to decide, “Should I use my own name as my full domain name?” 

At first, I’d like the idea of anonymity. After all, it’s taken me this long to put my writing out into the world already – having my name in bright lights just felt odd and uncomfortable. There was no hiding from failure, and no undoing whatever text was put out there. 

Below, I have put together 5 things to consider when deciding whether to use your own name as your domain name. 

Should I use my Own Name as a Domain Name?

There are all types of opinions and advice on the topic, from professional marketing articles to expert podcasts to personal bloggers.

I was hyper-aware of all of the points and the pro/con list, but after remaining on the fence for far too long, I finally took the plunge and am sharing my step-by-step thought process because that's all I was hoping for from others in my same boat!

After you've taken the plunge, share your story and decision with me in the comments below!

1. What are you writing about, and will it pass the time-test? 

Straight off the bat – here's an easy one. What are you writing about? Give it a quick time-test. Is it a topic you will want to be affiliated with for the long haul? 

Maybe you are writing about dating in your teens, or creating blogs about meeting somebody online and all of your dating fails. For some people, using your own name as a domain name is great, because it’s authentic. For others, you may want your stories told, but not broadcast with your name highlighted at every corner. 

2. Why are you writing? What is your end-goal?

Are you writing as a creative outlet, or is it to report on progress for a personal hobby?

If your plan is to build a website up and later sell it to a larger company in the space, creating a brand for your niche-focus makes much more sense than creating a brand around your name. 

3. Is there a chance you may want to change categories in the future? 

Who knows where any of us will be in 5, 10 or 20 years? It’s fair to consider who knows what you’ll want to be writing about and if you’ll change topics. What you should consider is whether you are the kind of person who would prefer building up one strong foundation now and completely revamping it if and when the time comes. 

4. Do you have any professional conflicts? 

Is there a reason to tread lightly about announcing your expertise or broadcasting your personal opinion on a website? For instance, if you are a CPA at a big-four firm, there might be limitations on how you position yourself or conflicts of interest if you make money through an external method that’s related to your day-job. 

You may also be in a niche where you share  personal stories about problems in a workplace. In that case, will you be more comfortable writing on WorkplaceProblems.com or YourFullName.com?

5. Will your name change?

Life is funny and unpredictable, and there are several stages of life that can offer name changes for one reason or another. If you build a brand under your name, but then your name changes, will you be able to pivot? 

Many people have personal and professional names that differ, so it might not phase you either way. 

There are always options to transfer a domain name later down the line, so you’re not stuck in a permanent commitment, but with how popular the internet has become, every passing year eliminates more domain options, and your personal domain name may not be available the longer you wait!