In this blog post, I want to show you how I buy domain names for my websites, and a few important things to watch out for before you spend any money.
A domain name is your website address. It’s one of the first decisions you’ll make when starting a site, and it’s worth getting right because it affects branding, trust, and how easily people can remember you.
You Can Find Your Perfect Domain Name Here
Why your domain name matters
Your domain name is often the first thing people see. If it’s confusing, too long, or awkward to type, people simply won’t remember it. Keeping it simple makes everything easier later on, from marketing to word-of-mouth.
If you’re still at the early stage of building an online business, you may also find this helpful:
.com vs .co.uk (and other extensions)
I’m based in the UK, so a .co.uk can make perfect sense if you’re targeting local customers in the UK. But if you’re trying to reach a wider audience (or you want a more universal feel), a .com is usually the first choice.
There are lots of other extensions available these days, and some of them can be fine, but in general I like to keep it simple:
- Go with a .com if your audience is broader than one country
- Go with your country extension if your business is local (for example .co.uk in the UK)
Avoid hyphens (dashes) in domain names
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see.
Domains with hyphens create confusion. People don’t remember where the hyphen goes, and it’s a pain to say out loud. If someone hears your domain name in a conversation, you want them to be able to type it in without asking you to repeat yourself three times.
If the exact domain you want isn’t available, I’d rather choose a clean alternative than force it with hyphens.
Keep it short and easy to remember
It can be tempting to make a domain very descriptive, but long domains are harder to remember and easier to mistype. A short, clear name is usually better than a long “perfect description”.
Simple is nearly always best.
Use AI (or ChatGPT) to brainstorm domain ideas
If you’re stuck, AI tools can be useful for brainstorming variations. For example, you can ask something like:
- “Can you suggest domain names similar to (your ideal domain)?”
- “Can you suggest short, brandable domain ideas for (your niche)?”
You still need to check availability, but it can help you think of ideas you might not have considered.
If you’re interested in how I use tools like this in my workflow, you may find this useful too:
How I actually buy a domain name
I buy domains through my web services site. The process is straightforward:
- Search for the domain name you want
- Check what extensions are available (.com, .co.uk, etc.)
- Select the best option (keeping it simple and memorable)
- Add it to the cart and complete the purchase
You can browse domain options here:
What to do after buying your domain
Once you own the domain, you’ll normally want to connect it to hosting and start building your website.
Here are a few related posts on my site that may help you with the next steps:
- The web hosting I actually use and recommend
- How to build a website in 30 seconds
- How to create a website in 90 seconds
Optional but useful: subdomains for tracking links
Once you start promoting things online, subdomains can be useful for shortening or branding affiliate links (for example, something like tools.yourwebsite.com).
Final thoughts
Buying a domain name should be simple, but it’s easy to make small mistakes that cause headaches later. If you remember just a few things, you’ll do well:
- Keep it short and easy to spell
- Avoid hyphens
- Choose .com for broader reach, or your country extension for local business
- If you’re stuck, brainstorm alternatives (AI can help)
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. I’m happy to help.