Choosing a Domain Name
Choose a domain name that is short, easy to spell, and unlikely to be confused with an existing brand. Avoid hyphens, numbers, and unusual extensions unless you have a specific reason. The .com extension remains the safest default for broad audiences. The checklist tool on this page scores your shortlisted names against practical criteria so you can compare them.
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What Makes a Domain Name Work
A good domain name passes the radio test: if someone hears it spoken aloud, they can type it correctly without asking for the spelling. That rules out homophones, unusual spellings, and double letters that create ambiguity. Keep it under 15 characters if possible — shorter names are easier to remember, fit on business cards, and reduce typo risk.
Avoid hyphens. They are difficult to communicate verbally and easy to forget when typing. Numbers create similar problems unless they are an established part of your brand name. These are not absolute rules — functional sites exist with both — but every added complexity reduces the number of people who reach your site on the first try.
Check for trademark conflicts before you commit. A domain name that matches an existing trademark can result in a UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) complaint and forced transfer. A quick search of your country's trademark register and a web search for the name will surface obvious conflicts.
Extension Choice and Availability
If the .com version of your preferred name is available, take it. The .com extension carries the highest default recognition, and non-technical users often assume every website ends in .com. If they type your name and add .com by habit, you want that to reach your site, not someone else's.
When the .com is taken, you have two good options: modify the name to get a .com (adding a word like "studio" or "hq"), or choose an established alternative extension like .net, .org, or a relevant country code. Newer extensions like .io, .dev, and .co are accepted in technical communities but may cause confusion with general audiences.
Whichever extension you choose, consider registering the .com as well if it is available and parking it with a redirect. This prevents a competitor from occupying the .com while your brand grows on a different extension. The evaluation tool on this page factors extension recognition into its scoring.
Domain names cannot be permanently owned — they are leased in annual increments. Secure long-term registration and enable auto-renew to protect a name you invest in building.
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Related guides and tools
Sources
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UDRP per ICANN Policy (adopted 1999, administered by WIPO). Domain character rules per RFC 1035 and IDNA specifications.
- Every figure in the calculators on this site is typed in by you. No price, allowance or renewal rate is stored in the page.