How to Choose a Domain Name (Beginner’s Checklist)

A great domain name is short, easy to spell, brand-safe, and memorable. Start with a .com if possible, avoid using numbers/hyphens, check trademarks & social handles, compare renewal pricing, and purchase key variants/redirects. Then, connect it to your site builder.

Step-by-Step: How to Choose a Domain Name

1. Define the purpose & vibe
   List 3–5 brand words (e.g., friendly, modern, local). This guides tone and naming.

2. Brainstorm 20–50 options
   Use real words, blends, and adders: get, try, join, shop, hello, use, app, studio, lab, hub, HQ. Aim for 6–14 characters.

3. Check .com first (then smart alternates)
   If .com is taken, consider .org (for mission/nonprofit), .net (for tech), or clean, modern options like .co / .io / .ai when on-brand. (Link internally to your “.com vs .net vs .org” post.)

4. Run the “radio test”
   Say it aloud. Can someone spell it on first try? Avoid double letters (pressstudio.com), confusable spellings, and homophones.

5. Avoid numbers & hyphens
   They add friction and increase typos: prefer greenfieldstudio.com over green-field-studio.com.

6. Screen for legal & reputation risk
   Search trademarks (USPTO/TESS or your local registry). Quick Google check for brand conflicts. Peek at past use on the Wayback Machine to avoid spammy histories. (Not legal advice.)

7. Check social handles & email
   Aim for consistent handles across all social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, LinkedIn) and a clean email format (e.g., hello@domain.com).

8. Compare price & renewals
   Look at first-year promo vs renewal. Confirm WHOIS privacy is included.

9. Buy protective variants & set redirects
   Grab plural/singular, common misspellings, and your local ccTLD (e.g., .us, .ca) if relevant. 301-redirect them to your primary.

10. Connect & test
    Point DNS to your builder (Squarespace/WordPress), then test: the homepage loads, both www/non-www versions work, and email deliverability is clean.

Do’s & Don’ts

Do

• Keep it short, simple, speakable

• Choose .com when feasible

• Make it brandable over keyword-stuffed

• Verify trademarks/handles/renewals

• Buy key variants and 301-redirect

Don’t

• Use hyphens/numbers (unless truly part of your brand)

• Pick confusing spellings or double letters

• Chase exact-match keywords at the expense of brand

• Ignore renewal prices or privacy protection

• Change domains frequently (hurts recognition)

Good Domain Name Examples

• Local service:
  Good: oakforestplumbing.com → Clear + local
  Risky: best-plumber-near-me-247.com → Spammy/forgettable

• Boutique brand:
  Good: willowfern.com → Short, brandable
  Risky: willow-and-fern-boutique-shop.com

• Nonprofit:
  Good: readingneighbors.org → Purpose-fit
  Risky: readingneighbors.co (less expected)

• Tech/SaaS:
  Good: parcelhub.com or parcelhub.io (if .com is taken)
  Risky: parcel-hub-app-123.com

• E-commerce:
  Good: embergoods.com
  Risky: cheap-best-hot-deals-store.com

FAQs

What makes a good domain name?

Short, easy to spell, and brandable. Choose .com when possible. Avoid using numbers/hyphens. Check trademarks and social handles, and secure key variants to redirect.

Do keywords in a domain help SEO?

They can help clarity, but brandability and content quality matter more long-term. Don’t sacrifice a strong brand for a clunky exact-match name.

Is .com always best?

It’s the most recognized and click-friendly. If unavailable, choose an alternative that suits your audience (e.g., .org for nonprofits, .io/.ai for tech) and keep the name concise.

Should I buy multiple domains?

Yes—purchase obvious misspellings/variants, and your local ccTLD if relevant. Then, 301-redirect them to your primary domain for brand protection.