Domain Name 101
Choosing the Right Web Address for Your Business
Your domain name is more than just an address for your website; it’s often the first impression someone has of your business. Before they see your branding, read your About page, or check your prices, they’ll see your domain. And if it’s clunky, confusing or mismatched, they might not get any further.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to rebrand, this guide will walk you through the basics of choosing the right domain – without the jargon or sales talk.
What is a domain name?
Your domain is the web address people type into their browser to find you. It usually ends in something like .co.uk, .com, or .org.
For example:
mybusiness.co.uk is a domain.
www.mybusiness.co.uk/about is a page on that domain.
It’s separate from your website hosting (where the site lives), and your email service (how you send/receive messages). Think of it like buying the plot of land before building the house.
Step 1: Keep it simple, searchable and sensible
A good domain name is:
- Easy to spell (especially over the phone or in conversation)
- Short enough to remember
- Relevant to your business name or what you do
- Free of dashes or odd spellings, unless essential
Avoid:
- Wordplay that relies on regional dialect or slang
- Hyphens (unless they’re part of your actual business name)
- Numbers that could be misheard (e.g. 2 vs. two)
Even if your name is taken, resist the urge to bolt on a random word. samanthasflowershop2021.co.uk might be technically available, but it doesn’t scream credibility.
Step 2: Choose the right ending (.co.uk, .com, etc.)
There are hundreds of domain endings now, but these are the most common for UK businesses:
- .co.uk – Great if you’re UK-based and serve a mostly UK audience.
- .com – Useful if you trade internationally or want a more global feel.
- .org – Generally used for charities, community groups, or non-profits.
- .net / .biz / .online – Technically fine, but they often feel second-rate or forgotten.
Still unsure? I’ll be sharing a full breakdown of .co.uk vs .com soon, so keep an eye out if that’s something you’re weighing up.
Step 3: Check if it’s available (and don’t wait too long)
There’s no guarantee a domain will stay available forever. If you’ve found one that works and you’re serious about your business, register it sooner rather than later.
You can search and register domains yourself through sites like Names.co.uk – our preferred registrar – or we can handle it for you as part of your digital setup. You’ll still retain full ownership, and if you’d rather not use your home or office address publicly, we can list our PO Box as the registered contact.
If you’d like a joined-up approach, we can manage your domain, email and website hosting together – keeping everything in one place and making support much simpler if anything needs updating later on.
If both the .co.uk and .com versions of your domain are available, consider securing both. It gives you more control and protects your brand as you grow.
Step 4: What if your name is taken?
Don’t panic – there are always workarounds, but some are better than others. And if you’re genuinely stuck, I’m always happy to play Devil’s Advocate and help you think it through.
- Tweak the name slightly, such as adding your location or service area.
Example:harveyscatering.co.ukvsharveyscateringcornwall.co.uk. - Check if the domain is actually in use – some domains are registered but not active. A quick visit might reveal a parked page or no website at all.
- Avoid clever spellings like swapping “days” for “dayz” or “you” for “u”. These might seem fun or on-brand, but they often lead to confusion, typos or lost traffic. If someone hears your domain said aloud, will they know how to spell it first time?
- Keep it clean. Avoid overlong or awkward combinations that are hard to say or type. If you can’t recite your domain without running out of breath or needing to spell it out twice, it’s too complicated.
- Consider a rebrand if you’re in the early stages. It might feel drastic now, but it’s better than getting stuck with a domain you regret down the line.
There’s also a balance to strike between clarity and compromise. Diluting your brand name just because it’s a bit unusual isn’t always the right move. I chose “Awenek” – Cornish for ‘creative’ – because it reflects what I do and who I am. While it’s not instantly familiar, it’s easy to spell and pronounce, so the pros outweigh the cons.
That said, as a rule of thumb, your domain should be easy to share verbally, look clean on a business card, and not require a full sentence to explain. If it feels like you’ve had to squeeze it in with hyphens, numbers and filler words, it’s probably worth revisiting.
Also, avoid buying domains from resellers unless you’ve weighed up the risks, costs and legal implications. It’s rarely worth the hassle for a small business starting out.
Step 5: Don’t forget your email
Once you’ve got a domain, make sure your email reflects it. I’ve seen so many businesses who have a great website with a fantastic domain but use gmail, btinternet or – worse – hotmail. Why dilute your web visitors’ brand confidence by using a third party email?
info@yourbusiness.co.uk looks far more professional than yourbusinessname@btinternet.com, and it gives a much more cohesive impression when paired with your branding.
If you don’t need a full website just yet, we offer an email-only hosting option – ideal for sole traders or small businesses who want to look professional from day one without overcommitting. We’ll sort the setup, provide support and make sure everything connects properly behind the scenes.
We can provide DNS access if needed, but in most cases, we manage this on your behalf. It’s easy to get wrong (and even easier to panic about), so unless you’re comfortable editing records, we recommend letting us handle it for you.
I’ll be sharing more posts in this series – including how to choose the right domain extension and why your email address really matters, so don’t forget to bookmark this page to check back soon.
This post is part of my “Digital Essentials” series – a practical, no-nonsense look at the digital tools every business needs to get right from the start (or sort out properly if they didn’t).
If you’re building your business foundations or finally getting around to sorting the digital bits, I can help you get it done quickly and properly – no jargon, no stress, and no Googling what DNS means at 10pm.
A free downloadable version of this guide is coming soon, with extra tips and a checklist to help you stay on track. If you’d like a copy, sign up to my newsletter below.
