Domain Name Tips - How to Choose the Perfect Domain

Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet – it’s often the first thing visitors see and can make or break their first impression. Choosing the right domain name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your online presence.

Why Your Domain Name Matters

First Impressions Count

Your domain name is often the first interaction people have with your brand. A great domain:

• Is easy to remember
• Builds instant credibility
• Reflects your brand identity
• Makes sharing simple

SEO Impact

While domain names aren’t as crucial for SEO as they once were, they still matter:

• Keywords in domains can help (though less than before)
• Memorable domains get more direct traffic
• Brand-matching domains build authority
• Good domains earn more backlinks

Long-term Investment

Unlike hosting or design, changing your domain later is difficult:

• You lose SEO value
• Existing links break
• Customers get confused
• Rebranding is expensive

Get it right the first time!

10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Domain

1. Keep It Short

Aim for 15 characters or fewer. Short domains are:

• Easier to remember
• Less prone to typos
• Better for word-of-mouth
• More professional looking

Good examples:

• google.com (6 characters)
• nike.com (4 characters)
• hostdeal.com (8 characters)

Bad examples:

• best-web-hosting-services-for-small-business.com
• johns-amazing-photography-studio-nyc.com

2. Make It Easy to Spell

Avoid domains that are hard to spell:

Avoid:

• ❌ Words with multiple spellings (grey/gray)
• ❌ Uncommon words people might misspell
• ❌ Creative spellings (lyft, flickr work for big brands, not small ones)
• ❌ Numbers that could be spelled out (4 vs four)
• ❌ Homophones (their/there/they’re)

The Phone Test: Can you tell someone your domain over the phone without spelling it out? If not, reconsider.

3. Make It Easy to Pronounce

If people can’t say it, they can’t share it. Avoid:

• Awkward letter combinations
• Tongue twisters
• Names that sound like other words

Test it: Say your domain out loud. Does it flow naturally?

4. Avoid Hyphens and Numbers

Hyphens and numbers create problems:

Problems with hyphens:

• “Is it best-hosting or besthosting?”
• Look spammy
• Hard to communicate verbally
• Often associated with low-quality sites

Problems with numbers:

• “Is it 4 or four?”
• Easy to make mistakes
• Look unprofessional
• Hard to remember

Exception: If your brand genuinely includes a number (like 7-Eleven), you may need it.

5. Choose the Right Extension

.com is still king for most businesses. It’s:

• Most recognized
• Most trusted
• What people type by default
• Best for global audiences

Other good options:

• .org - Non-profits, organizations
• .net - Tech companies (if .com taken)
• .co - Startups, modern brands
• Country codes (.ca, .uk) - Local businesses

Hostdeal Lifetime Domains: We offer free lifetime domains with our hosting:

• .co.business
• .co.education
• .co.events
• .co.financial
• .co.network
• .co.place
• .co.technology

These are perfect for niche websites and professional projects!

6. Research Before You Buy

Before committing to a domain:

Check trademark databases:

• USPTO (United States)
• EUIPO (Europe)
• Your country’s trademark office

Search social media:

• Is the name available on major platforms?
• Consistent branding across channels is valuable

Check domain history:

• Use archive.org to see past usage
• Check for spam history
• Look for negative associations

Google the name:

• Any negative connotations?
• Other businesses using it?
• Unintended meanings?

7. Think About Branding

Your domain is part of your brand identity:

Brandable domains:

• Unique and memorable (Google, Spotify)
• Can become synonymous with your service
• Build long-term value
• Protect you legally

Generic domains:

• Describe what you do (hotels.com)
• Good for SEO keywords
• Less brand protection
• Harder to stand out

Best approach: A brandable name that hints at what you do.

8. Consider Future Growth

Don’t box yourself in:

Too narrow:

• seattleplumber.com (What if you expand?)
• iphone-cases-2024.com (Dated immediately)
• bobs-pizza-restaurant.com (What if Bob leaves?)

Better:

• [yourcompanyname].com
• A name that can grow with you
• Room for new products/services

9. Check for Unintended Meanings

Read your domain carefully:

• Run words together and look for hidden words
• Check in multiple languages if targeting globally
• Say it out loud
• Get outside opinions

Famous fails:

• expertsexchange.com (now experts-exchange.com)
• penisland.net (Pen Island)
• therapistfinder.com (Therapist Finder)

10. Act Fast on Good Domains

Great domains get taken quickly. If you find a good one:

• Register it immediately
• Don’t wait for “the perfect time”
• Consider registering variations
• Lock in multi-year registration

Domain Name Ideas by Industry

Business/Professional

• [YourName].com
• [CompanyName].com
• [IndustryKeyword][Location].com

E-commerce

• Shop[BrandName].com
• [BrandName]Store.com
• Get[ProductName].com

Blogs

• [Topic]Blog.com
• The[Topic]Guide.com
• [YourName]Writes.com

Portfolio/Creative

• [YourName]Design.com
• [YourName]Photo.com
• [YourName]Creative.com

Local Business

• [BusinessName][City].com
• [City][Service].com

What to Do If Your Domain Is Taken

Option 1: Try Different Extensions

If example.com is taken:

• example.co
• example.net
• example.io (tech companies)
• example.co.business (available at Hostdeal)

Option 2: Modify the Name

• Add a prefix: get-, try-, use-
• Add a suffix: -app, -hq, -hub
• Add your location: -nyc, -usa

Option 3: Try a Different Name

Sometimes it’s better to find an available name than force a taken one with modifications.

Option 4: Buy the Domain

If the perfect domain is taken but not in use, you can try to buy it:

• Contact the owner directly
• Use a domain broker
• Check domain marketplaces (Sedo, Afternic)

Be prepared to pay premium prices for desirable domains.

Domain Registration Best Practices

Register for Multiple Years

Benefits of multi-year registration:

• Slight SEO benefit (shows commitment)
• Avoid forgetting to renew
• Lock in current prices
• Protect your investment

Enable Privacy Protection

WHOIS privacy keeps your personal information hidden:

• Prevents spam
• Reduces targeted attacks
• Maintains privacy
• Many registrars include it free

Enable Auto-Renewal

Never let your domain expire accidentally:

• Set up auto-renewal
• Keep payment info updated
• Enable renewal reminders
• Monitor expiration dates

Register Variations

Consider registering:

• Common misspellings
• Different extensions (.com, .net, .org)
• With and without hyphens
• Singular and plural versions

Redirect these to your main domain.

Free Domains with Hostdeal

Hostdeal offers free lifetime domains with our Annual and Lifetime hosting plans:

Available Extensions

• .co.business
• .co.education
• .co.events
• .co.financial
• .co.network
• .co.place
• .co.technology

What You Get

• 2 free domains with Annual or Lifetime plans
• 6 free domains with Triple Up add-on
• Domains included for life (no renewal fees!)
• Full DNS control
• Easy management via DirectAdmin

Perfect For

• Business websites
• Educational projects
• Event pages
• Financial services
• Professional networks
• Location-based sites
• Tech startups

Get Free Lifetime Domains →

Domain Name Checklist

Before registering, confirm:

• Length: Under 15 characters?
• Spelling: Easy to spell correctly?
• Pronunciation: Easy to say out loud?
• Hyphens/Numbers: None present?
• Extension: .com or appropriate alternative?
• Trademark: No conflicts found?
• Social Media: Handles available?
• History: Clean domain history?
• Branding: Fits your brand vision?
• Growth: Room for future expansion?
• Hidden Words: No unintended meanings?
• Availability: Ready to register?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I pay for a domain?

Standard domains cost $10-15/year. Premium domains (short, one-word, or high-demand) can cost hundreds to millions.

At Hostdeal, you can get free lifetime domains with our hosting plans!

Can I change my domain later?

Technically yes, but it’s disruptive. You’ll lose SEO value, break existing links, and confuse customers. Choose carefully from the start.

Should I get exact-match domains for SEO?

Exact-match domains (like “best-web-hosting.com”) have less SEO value than before. Focus on brandable, memorable names instead.

Is .com really necessary?

For most businesses, yes. It’s what people expect and type by default. Alternatives work for specific niches or if .com is unavailable.

How do I protect my domain from expiring?

Enable auto-renewal, keep payment info current, set calendar reminders, and register for multiple years.

What’s domain privacy and do I need it?

Domain privacy hides your personal info from public WHOIS records. Yes, you need it – it prevents spam and protects your information.

Conclusion

Your domain name is a long-term investment in your online identity. Take time to choose wisely:

1. Keep it short and simple
2. Make it easy to spell and pronounce
3. Avoid hyphens and numbers
4. Choose the right extension
5. Research thoroughly before buying
6. Think about branding and growth
7. Act fast when you find the right one

Ready to claim your domain? Hostdeal offers free lifetime domains with our hosting plans. Check out our domain options →

Need help choosing a domain? Contact our support team for personalized recommendations!