Your domain name is the address people type to find your website, like webdesignnerd.com. It ends up on your trucks, business cards, invoices, and email. Changing it later is a hassle, so it’s worth a few minutes of thought up front. Here’s the advice I give friends starting a business.
Keep it short and easy to say out loud
Imagine telling someone your web address over the phone. If you have to spell it twice or explain where the dashes go, it’s too complicated. Shorter is better, but clear beats short. smithroofing.com is better than smthrfg.com.
Make it easy to spell
- Avoid words people commonly misspell
- Skip hyphens when you can; people forget them
- Avoid numbers, or you’ll constantly clarify “the number 4 or the word four?”
- Watch for words that run together awkwardly when written without spaces
Read the name as one long word and look for unintended words hiding in it. It happens more than you’d think.
Use .com when you can
Other endings like .net, .co, or .biz work, but most people still assume .com and type it by habit. If the .com you want is taken, try a small variation, like adding your town or trade, before settling for a different ending.
Your business name vs. a keyword name
Some people try to stuff keywords into their domain, like best-plumber-akron-ohio.com. It doesn’t carry the SEO weight it once did, and it looks less trustworthy. Your business name is usually the right choice. Adding your town or trade is fine if you need to distinguish yourself: smithplumbingstow.com.
Register it in your name
This is the part people miss. Register the domain in your own name, under an account you control, with your email. I’ve seen too many businesses lose access because a former web designer or employee registered the domain under their own account and then disappeared. Your web designer can manage it for you, but you should own it.
Turn on auto-renew
Domains are rented yearly. If a renewal fails because a credit card expired, your website and email can go dark, and in the worst case someone else can grab the name. Turn on auto-renew and keep the payment method current.
Consider grabbing close variations
If budget allows, register common misspellings or the .net version and point them at your main site. It’s cheap insurance against lost visitors and copycats.
Use it for email too
Once you have a domain, use it for your email: you@yourbusiness.com instead of a free email address. It looks more professional and keeps your business communication under your control.
Questions I hear a lot
What if my ideal domain is taken?
Try adding your town or trade, or a short word like “get” or “hq.” Avoid buying from someone asking a huge price unless the name is truly essential.
Can I change my domain later?
Yes, with redirects set up properly so you don’t lose search traffic. It’s just more work than getting it right the first time.
If you want a second set of eyes
If you’re setting up a new domain or untangling who owns your current one, I’m glad to help sort it out. Here’s more about the websites and hosting I provide.