How to choose a domain name for your business

Your domain name appears on your website, your email addresses, your invoices and your business cards. Changing it later is possible, but it costs you links, search rankings and customer habits. A few minutes of thought before registering saves a lot of work.

Keep it short and easy to say

If you have to spell your domain out loud every time you share it, it is too complicated. Aim for one to three words, avoid unusual spellings and check that the name still reads correctly once the words are joined together.

Avoid hyphens and numbers

Hyphens are easy to forget, and numbers raise a question: is it "4" or "four"? Either way, visitors can end up at the wrong address, or at a competitor's. Only use them if they are part of your brand name.

Pick the right extension

• .com remains the most recognised extension worldwide and a safe default.
• Country extensions such as .cm, .fr or .ca signal that you serve a local market, and are often easier to obtain.
• Extensions like .io or .ai are popular with technology companies, but usually cost more to register and renew.

Check before you commit

• Search for trademarks and companies already using the name in your market.
• Make sure the matching social media handles are still available.
• Look at the renewal price, not only the first-year price.

Protect the variations

Once you have found the right name, consider registering its main variants: the .com and your country extension, plus common misspellings if your brand is prone to typos. Point them all to your main website so visitors always land in the right place.