75%
Remember short domains
40%
Higher click-through for .com
60%
Type domains directly
85%
Trust professional domains
5-Step Domain Selection Process
Understand your business goals and target audience
List relevant words related to your business or industry
Search for available domains across multiple extensions
Test how easy it is to say, spell, and remember
Register your chosen domain and protect variations
Types of Domain Names
Examples: Google, Spotify, Zapier
Best for: Unique businesses wanting to build a strong brand
Pros
- Unique & memorable
- Easy to trademark
- Brandable
Cons
- Hard to guess meaning
- May need explanation
Examples: Hotels.com, Cars.com
Best for: Businesses describing exactly what they do
Pros
- Clear purpose
- SEO friendly
- Easy to understand
Cons
- Generic
- Hard to trademark
- Competitive
Examples: BestPizza.co.uk, CheapFlights.com
Best for: Local businesses and SEO-focused sites
Pros
- Great for SEO
- Instant clarity
- Higher click-through
Cons
- Can sound spammy
- Limited flexibility
- Generic feel
Examples: Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube
Best for: Combining brand identity with clear purpose
Pros
- Best of both worlds
- Scalable
- Professional
Cons
- Harder to create
- May be longer
- Requires creativity
Essential Selection Criteria
Keep It Short
Aim for 6-14 characters. Shorter domains are easier to type, remember, and share.
Make It Memorable
Choose something catchy that sticks in peoples minds. Avoid complex spellings.
Easy to Pronounce
If people cant say it easily, they wont remember it or share it verbally.
Future-Proof
Avoid trends, slang, or limiting geographic terms unless necessary.
SEO Friendly
Include relevant keywords if possible, but dont sacrifice brandability.
Trademark Safe
Ensure your domain doesnt infringe on existing trademarks.
Choosing the Right Extension
| Extension | Best For | Trust Level | SEO Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | Global businesses | Highest | Excellent |
| .co.uk | UK businesses | High in UK | Excellent in UK |
| .org | Non-profits, organizations | High | Good |
| .net | Tech companies, networks | Medium | Good |
| .io | Tech startups | Medium | Good |
| .co | Modern businesses | Medium | Good |
6 Common Domain Name Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake
Using hyphens or numbers
Why It's Bad
Hard to communicate verbally and easily forgotten
Do This Instead
Use alternative words or different extensions
Mistake
Making it too long
Why It's Bad
Difficult to type and remember, more prone to typos
Do This Instead
Keep under 15 characters when possible
Mistake
Copying competitors
Why It's Bad
Creates confusion and potential legal issues
Do This Instead
Be unique and build your own brand identity
Mistake
Ignoring social media availability
Why It's Bad
Inconsistent branding across platforms
Do This Instead
Check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram handle availability
Mistake
Not securing variations
Why It's Bad
Competitors or squatters may register similar domains
Do This Instead
Register .com, .co.uk and common misspellings
Mistake
Choosing difficult spelling
Why It's Bad
People will struggle to find your website
Do This Instead
Use common spelling or phonetic alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is having a .com domain?
.com domains have the highest trust and recognition globally. However, .co.uk is equally trusted in the UK market. If your .com isn't available, .co.uk is an excellent alternative for UK businesses.
Should I include keywords in my domain name?
Keywords can help with SEO but shouldn't compromise brandability. A strong brand name often outperforms keyword-stuffed domains in the long run. Focus on memorability first, keywords second.
Can I change my domain name later?
Yes, but it's costly and complex. You'll lose SEO rankings, confuse customers, and need to update all marketing materials. It's much better to get it right from the start.
How do I check if a domain name is trademarked?
Search the UK IPO trademark database and USPTO (for US trademarks). Also Google your potential name to see if other businesses use it. Consider consulting a trademark attorney for valuable domains.
Should I register multiple domain extensions?
Yes, especially .com and your country extension (.co.uk for UK). This protects your brand and prevents competitors from registering similar domains. Start with 2-3 key extensions.
What if my preferred domain is taken?
Try different extensions, add prefixes/suffixes (get-, -uk, -online), use synonyms, or consider our domain broker service to negotiate with the current owner. Sometimes parked domains are available for purchase.
Domain Selection Tools
Check availability across 500+ extensions instantly
AI-powered suggestions based on your keywords
Verify your domain doesn't infringe trademarks