How to choose a domain name: 8 practical tips

Keep it short and easy to say

A good domain can be typed correctly after hearing it once. Names you have to spell out letter by letter on the phone lose visitors. Aim for two or three syllables and avoid characters people cannot type easily.

Avoid hyphens and numbers

Hyphenated names such as "dilmex-domain-names" or numbered ones such as "dilmex24" get mixed up when spoken: people forget the hyphen or spell the number out. If your brand has no hyphen, your domain should not either.

Match your brand

Your domain should be your company or product name. If the exact match is taken, try a short, meaningful addition ("get", "app", "hq") or another extension. Our search results suggest such alternatives automatically.

Pick the extension for your audience

• .com: the best-known extension worldwide and the first choice for an international audience.
• .com.tr: builds trust with customers in Türkiye; registration needs a Turkish identity number or tax details.
• .net, .org, .co: common alternatives when the .com is taken.
• .app, .dev: for software products; HTTPS is mandatory, so your site must run with SSL.

Register key extensions and typos too

As your brand grows, someone else registering a look-alike can hurt. Registering the main extensions next to your domain, and common misspellings, then forwarding them to your site is cheap insurance. Bulk search checks many names at once.

Check trademark rights

A domain containing someone else's registered trademark can be taken from you through dispute procedures such as the UDRP. Run a quick search in the relevant trademark databases (your national office, EUIPO, WIPO) before registering.

Watch out for names with a past

A previously used name can carry a poor reputation with search engines or spam filters. A quick look in web archives such as the Wayback Machine helps.

Think long term and do not forget renewals

A domain is not bought outright; it is registered for a period. An expired name can pass to someone else after a while. Keep renewal reminders on in your account, and switch on automatic renewal if you have a saved payment method.