Domain Names - What You Need to Know

Your domain name is your address on the web. Here's how to choose wisely.

What makes a good domain

Short is better. Easy to spell is better. .com is the gold standard but .co.uk works fine for UK businesses.

The exact name matters less than you'd think. "acme-plumbing-manchester.co.uk" is fine if acme.com is taken.

Getting the right one

Use a reputable registrar - GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare. Don't get roped into extras you don't need.

Register for multiple years. You don't want to lose your domain because you forgot to renew.

Common mistakes

Getting too clever - If people can't spell it, they can't find you Buying every variation - You don't need acme-plumbing.com, acmeplumbing.com, acme-plumbings.com Paying too much - Domains are cheap, don't get fleeced Not checking existing use - Make sure you're not accidentally copying someone

The .com question

If you can get .com at a reasonable price, do it. It's what people default to typing. But don't pay stupid money for one.

.uk domains are perfectly fine and sometimes more appropriate for UK businesses.

Privacy

Turn on domain privacy so your personal details don't show up in public WHOIS searches. It's usually free and it's just good practice.

Worth the effort

Your domain is one of those things you set up once and forget about. But getting it right matters. Take your time, think it through, and register it properly.