Choosing the right domain name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your online presence. A good domain name is memorable, brandable, and helps customers find you. Here’s everything you need to know to choose the perfect domain name for your business.
Characteristics of a Great Domain Name
Easy to Remember
The best domain names stick in people’s minds after hearing them once. Think of domains like google.com, amazon.com, or netflix.com – simple, unique, and unforgettable.
Easy to Spell
If you have to spell out your domain name every time you share it, you’ll lose potential visitors. Avoid unusual spellings, uncommon words, or anything that could be easily misspelled.
Easy to Say
Can you share your domain name verbally without confusion? Test it by saying it out loud and asking friends to write it down. If they get it right, you have a winner.
Brandable
Your domain should sound like a brand, not a generic description. “GreenWidgetsCheap.com” is forgettable, but “LeafShop.com” has brand potential.
Imagine your domain name being read on the radio. Could listeners remember it and type it correctly? If yes, you have a strong domain name.
Domain Name Best Practices
Shorter is better. Aim for 6-14 characters if possible. Short domains are easier to remember, type, and fit on business cards and marketing materials.
The .com extension is still the most trusted and expected. If .com isn’t available, .co, .net, or relevant industry extensions are good alternatives.
Hyphens are hard to communicate verbally (“dash” or “hyphen”?) and numbers can be confused (is it “4” or “four”?). Exceptions: if numbers are part of your brand name.
Your domain should give some indication of what you do or who you are. This helps with both user expectations and search engine optimization.
Search the USPTO trademark database to ensure your domain doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks. This could lead to legal issues later.
Before finalizing your domain, use our Social Handle Checker to ensure you can get matching usernames on major platforms.
Things to Avoid
These common mistakes can hurt your brand:
- Double letters – “pressservice.com” looks like “presservice.com”
- Trendy misspellings – “Lyft” works for a major brand, but “Qwik” looks unprofessional for most businesses
- Too generic – “BestPlumberInTown.com” is forgettable and not brandable
- Too long – “JohnSmithProfessionalPlumbingServices.com” is unwieldy
- Similar to competitors – Don’t choose something that could be confused with an established brand
- Potentially offensive – Say it out loud and look for unintended word combinations
Creative Strategies for Finding Available Domains
Combine Words
Merge two words into something new and brandable:
- Face + Book = Facebook
- Insta + gram = Instagram
- Pin + Interest = Pinterest
Use Prefixes or Suffixes
Add common business words:
- get[name].com
- [name]hq.com
- try[name].com
- [name]app.com
- hello[name].com
Add Your Location
Good for local businesses:
- [name]nyc.com
- [name]chicago.com
- [name]usa.com
Use Industry Terms
Combine your name with what you do:
- [name]design.com
- [name]legal.com
- [name]fitness.com
Domain Name Generators
If you’re stuck, domain name generators can spark ideas:
- Enter keywords related to your business
- Browse suggested combinations
- Check availability instantly
- Get inspired by variations you hadn’t considered
Write down 10-20 words related to your business, including what you do, how you do it, and the feelings you want to evoke. Then try combining them in different ways to create unique domain options.
After You Choose Your Domain
Protect Your Brand
- Register variations – Common misspellings, other extensions (.net, .org)
- Get social handles – Secure the same name on all major platforms
- Consider trademark registration – For additional legal protection
Set Up Properly
- Enable auto-renewal – Never lose your domain accidentally
- Use domain privacy – Protect your personal information
- Set up email – Use your domain for professional email (you@yourdomain.com)
Local Business Considerations
If you’re a local business, consider:
- Including your city/region – Helps with local SEO (smithplumbingboston.com)
- Using a local TLD – .nyc, .vegas, .london for specific cities
- Keeping it simple – Local customers value straightforward names
Check Your Domain Ideas
Ready to find your perfect domain? Use our Domain Name Checker to instantly see if your ideas are available.
Choosing a domain is just the first step in building your brand. Our team can help with complete brand development, including logo design, website creation, and marketing strategy. Start a project with Lead Marketing Strategies.