advice Does the domain name pass the billboard test?

No. This name does not pass the billboard test.

So, to help out I’ve just registered...Cannaromas.com. (Not to be confused with Cannawhoopass.com).

Or CannaAromatherapy.com which I also h/reg’d.

The test is a memory test if you can't glance and remember it the name is a fail. So many brands fail the test as too hard to remember how the spell made up words. I am pretty sure the basic rules of billboards and branding were long before domains were conceived. The article you recall was still online couple of years ago and was a personal site of large domainer with poor design off memory.

This reminds me of the radio test.

• When pronouncing your domain does it sound catchy?
• Is it easy to say?
• Is it memorable?

I think both the radio test and the billboard test are important to keep in mind when picking a domain name but of course they are not the only factors. There are certain names that may not pass these 2 tests but somehow are useful domain names that people may want.

- Will

First, I thought the article was about a great "catchphrase" but glad I read on..

If your domain too long, you kill someone when they're trying to remember it and don't pay attention to the road

Abolish billboards

While I understand that MANY domains can never pass the billboard test, many can but the business owners/marketers are marketing illiterates. I have worked with many so-called marketing or advertising "professionals"...usually anything but "professionals". It would be amazing if it weren't so sad.

News said:

There’s a topic that I heard early-on in the domain industry called the “billboard test” and it has been anchored in my mind ever since I first head about it.

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The idea is – if someone is driving by a billboard with your domain on it, can they easily remember it and get to your site later on?..

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Very interesting and is similar to the Radio Test.

I think the radio and billboard tests are not nearly as important today vs years ago. Reason is even if you do not recall the exact name or full URL with spelling but try typing it into Google anyway you will be asked do you mean 'example.com' which is often going to be valid.

Another reason it's not as valuable is type-in traffic in general appears to be down big time over past several years meaning less and less people will try typing it in vs doing a search.