How to choose a domain name: 7 practical tips

Your domain name is the first thing people see of your business online. It appears in your website address, in your email and on your business cards, so it is worth taking a few minutes to choose it well.

1. Keep it short and easy to spell

Short names are easier to remember and to type on a phone. Avoid unusual spellings and double letters that people may get wrong when they hear the name.

2. Avoid hyphens and numbers

When you say your domain out loud, nobody should have to ask "with a hyphen?" or "the number or the word?". Letters only is almost always the safest choice.

3. Choose the right extension

A .com works everywhere. If your customers are in one country, a local extension such as .es, .de or .co.uk builds trust with them. Many businesses register both.

4. Think about the future

A name that is too specific ("cheap-shoes-madrid") can be a problem if you later sell other products or move to another city. Leave room to grow.

5. Check trademarks and social networks

Before you register, search the name in your country's trademark registry and check that the same name is free on the social networks you use.

6. Register it before someone else does

Good names go fast. Registering a domain takes a couple of minutes and you can connect it to your website or email later.

7. Protect your details

Turn on WHOIS privacy so your name, phone and address are not published in the public domain directory, and enable the registrar lock to prevent unauthorized transfers.

Not sure where to start? Try our AI domain name generator: describe your project and it suggests available names.