In the ever-evolving digital marketplace, your domain name is often the first impression your business makes. It’s more than just a URL—it’s your brand’s digital identity. Yet many businesses make simple but costly mistakes when choosing their domain name.
Here are five common domain name mistakes to avoid, along with real-world examples that highlight their impact.
1. Choosing a Domain That’s Too Long or Complex
A local bakery once picked a quirky domain like . While creative, it was hard to remember and easy to mistype.
✅ Tip: Keep it short, simple, and easy to spell. Shorter names boost recall and reduce bounce rates.
 2. Using Numbers or Hyphens
Domains like often confuse users. People forget whether to type the numeral or the word, or miss hyphens entirely.
✅ Tip: Stick to letters only. Avoid anything that adds friction when typing or sharing your URL aloud.
 3. Ignoring the Importance of a .com Extension
A tech startup chose .tech to be different, but customers kept typing .com and landing on unrelated sites.
✅ Tip: Use .com if available. It’s the most trusted and familiar extension for users.
4. Overlooking Trademark Issues
A boutique brand unknowingly chose a name already trademarked by a larger company, leading to legal threats and a full rebrand.
✅ Tip: Check for trademark conflicts before registering your domain. A quick search can save time, money, and stress.
5. Failing to Research the Domain’s History
An online wellness shop bought a pre-owned domain without checking its history. It had been blacklisted due to spam use, affecting its SEO performance.