Domain Name Tips for Startups: 10 Rules That Actually Matter

Most domain advice is written for SEO purposes, not founders. Here are the rules that actually matter, based on analyzing 500+ successful startups.

Rule 1: Domain Availability Should Drive Naming, Not Follow It

The old way: Pick a name, then hunt for a domain.

The smart way: Generate names that already have available domains.

Why? Because your perfect name with no available domain is worthless. namemyapp shows only names with available domains because we learned this the hard way.

Action: Use tools that check availability before showing results.

Rule 2: .com Is Not Required (But Understand the Tradeoffs)

Successful companies on non-.com domains:

• Linear.app
• Notion.so
• Cal.com
• Descript.com
• Mercury.io

The tradeoff matrix:

Action: Match your TLD to your industry rather than blindly chasing .com.

Rule 3: Shorter Is Better (But Not At All Costs)

Every character adds:

• More typos
• Harder to remember
• Longer to type
• Uglier in URLs

Target lengths:

• Ideal: 4-8 characters
• Good: 9-12 characters
• Acceptable: 13-15 characters
• Avoid: 16+ characters

But a clear 12-character name beats a confusing 6-character name.

Action: Prioritize clarity over brevity, but keep it under 12 characters if possible.

Rule 4: Match Your Domain to Your Company Name

Obvious but ignored. If your company is "Acme," your domain should be:

• acme.com (ideal)
• acme.io (good)
• getacme.com (okay)
• acmehq.com (okay)

Avoid:

• acme-inc.com (looks corporate)
• acmeapp.com (redundant with .app)
• theacme.com (unnecessary)

Action: Buy the exact match or close variant, not a workaround.

Rule 5: Avoid Hyphens

Hyphens are:

• Harder to communicate verbally
• Easy to forget
• Look unprofessional
• Often associated with spam sites

The only exception: If you're in a country where hyphens are standard (some European markets).

Action: If the non-hyphenated version isn't available, choose a different name.

Rule 6: Numbers Are Usually Bad

"Acme2" or "2nd-page" problems:

• Is it spelled out or numeric?
• Looks like a sequel or knockoff
• Harder to verbally communicate

Exception: If the number is integral to your brand (7-Eleven, 3M) or product (MP3.com back in the day).

Action: Avoid numbers unless they're central to your identity.

Rule 7: Consider International Expansion (Early)

Your clever wordplay might not work globally:

• Does it translate poorly in major markets?
• Is it pronounceable in Europe/Asia?
• Does the domain work in other countries?

Example: "Gift" means "poison" in German. Not ideal for a gifting startup.

Action: Run your name through translation checks before committing.

Rule 8: Secure Relevant Variations

Once you have your primary domain, consider:

• Common misspellings
• .com if you're using another TLD
• Your name + "app" or "hq"

You don't need dozens—just the obvious redirects.

Action: Budget $50-100/year for 3-5 defensive domain registrations.

Rule 9: Check for Trademark Conflicts

Domain availability is not trademark availability. Before finalizing:

1. Search USPTO.gov for US trademarks
2. Search your product category specifically
3. Google "[name] + lawsuit" or "[name] + trademark"
4. Consider a professional trademark search for serious ventures

Action: Spend 30 minutes on trademark research before buying.

Rule 10: Buy Now, Not Later

Domain prices:

• Available domain today: $10-65/year
• Same domain after someone squats it: $500-50,000

If you're serious about a name, secure the domain immediately. The $12 is worth the peace of mind.

Action: Never share your potential domain publicly before buying it.

The Domain Selection Checklist

Before committing to a domain:

• Exact match or close variant available
• No hyphens or numbers
• Under 12 characters
• Easy to spell after hearing once
• No trademark conflicts
• TLD matches your industry
• Pronounceable in target markets
• Doesn't mean something bad in other languages

Get Your Domain Today

namemyapp generates brandable names with guaranteed available domains. Every name you see is purchasable, with free WHOIS privacy included.

Find Your Perfect Domain →