Introduction

Starting a new business is exciting, but finding the perfect domain name can be a challenge. With so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. One common mistake that many startups make is choosing a domain name that is too generic, such as “bestshoes.com” or “onlinepizza.com.” While these domain names may describe what the business does, they’re not very memorable or unique. That’s where brandable domain names come in.

Brandable domains are the ones!

A brandable domain name is a unique, catchy name that is easy to remember and stands out from the crowd. Some examples of brandable domain names include names like “Uber,” “Etsy,” and “Google.” These names don’t necessarily describe what the business does, but they’re memorable and make an impact.

So why are brandable domain names better for startups than keyword-based domain names? There are a few reasons:

1. Brandable domains are more memorable. When someone hears a brandable domain name, they’re more likely to remember it than a generic keyword-based domain name.
2. Brandable domains are more versatile. A brandable domain name can be used for a variety of businesses and products, whereas a keyword-based domain name is limited to a specific niche.
3. Brandable domains are more unique. A brandable domain name is less likely to be already registered, whereas a keyword-based domain name may already be taken.

Brandable vs. Keyword domains

There are two types of domain names: keyword domains and brandable domains. A keyword domain is a domain name that has a specific word or phrase in it, like “bestpizza.com” or “fashionblog.com”. A brandable domain, on the other hand, is a domain name that is unique and memorable, like “Etsy.com” or “Airbnb.com”.

For example, if you were starting a website about pizza, you might think that “bestpizza.com” is a good domain name because it has the word “pizza” in it. However, many other people might think the same thing and that domain name might already be taken. Plus, it’s not very unique or memorable.

Instead, a brandable domain name like “PizzaPalooza.com” might be a better choice because it’s catchy, unique, and easy to remember. Even if someone doesn’t know what the website is about, they’ll remember the name and be more likely to come back to it.

Which domain extension to choose for start-ups?

A domain extension is the part of a domain name that comes after the dot, like “.com” or “.org”. There are many different domain extensions available, and each one has its own unique purpose and meaning.

Now that we know why brandable domain names are the way to go, let’s talk about some cool extensions that startups can use to make their domain names stand out even more.

New Trends

1. .com: The .com domain extension is still considered the best option for startups, as it’s the most widely recognized and established extension on the internet. It’s short, memorable, and easy to remember, which is important for businesses that want to build a strong brand. While there are many other domain extensions available, the .com extension is still the most trusted and sought-after extension, making it a great choice for startups that want to establish their credibility and authority online.
2. .io: This domain extension is becoming more popular for tech startups because it’s short, easy to remember, and sounds like “input/output”, which is a computer term. Some examples of websites with the .io domain extension include trello.io, dropbox.io, and figma.io.
3. .co: the .co domain extension is a popular alternative to the traditional .com extension for businesses that want a short and memorable domain name. While originally intended for websites in Colombia, the .co extension has become a global domain extension that’s often used for company, corporation, and commerce websites.
4. .ai: This domain extension is used by companies and websites that specialize in artificial intelligence or machine learning. It stands for “Artificial Intelligence” and is becoming more popular as those technologies become more important. Some examples of websites with the .ai domain extension include x.ai, clarify.ai, and cloudminds.ai.
5. .xyz: The .xyz domain extension is short, easy to remember, and flexible. It’s a general-purpose domain extension that can be used for any type of website or business. It’s affordable and easy to register, which makes it attractive for startups and small businesses. Some examples of websites that use the .xyz extension include Alphabet (abc.xyz), The Hype Machine (hypem.xyz), and Bitly (bitly.xyz).

“Old but Gold” domain extensions

1. .app: This domain extension is for mobile apps and can only be accessed through the Google Chrome browser. It’s a secure domain extension and requires a HTTPS connection, which makes it safe for users to download and use apps.
2. .dev: This domain extension is for developers and programmers who want to create websites and software. It’s managed by Google and is intended to be a secure domain extension.
3. .mobi: This domain extension is designed for mobile devices and is intended to make it easy for people to access websites on their phones. It’s not as popular as it used to be, but some websites still use it.
4. .tech: This domain extension is for websites that focus on technology, startups, or digital products. It’s short, memorable, and communicates what the website is about.
5. .cloud: This domain extension is for websites that offer cloud-based services or storage. It’s short, easy to remember, and communicates what the website is about. Some examples of websites with the .cloud domain extension include hubspot.cloud, adobe.cloud, and dropbox.cloud.
6. .network: This domain extension is for websites that focus on networking, collaboration, or social connections. It’s short and easy to remember, and communicates what the website is about.

Read our article about Tlds. There is all you need to know.

Local extensions (ccTlds) for local-oriented start-ups

ccTLDs are domain extensions that represent a specific country or region. They’re often used by businesses that are located in that country or focus on customers in that region. For example, a business in Germany might use the domain extension “.de”, while a business in Australia might use “.au”.

Some popular ccTLDs include:

1. .de: This domain extension is for businesses in Germany.
2. .au: This domain extension is for businesses in Australia.
3. .uk: This domain extension is for businesses in the United Kingdom.

Using a ccTLD can help businesses establish their location or focus on a specific market. For example, a business in the United States might use the .us domain extension to show that it’s based in the U.S. and focused on American customers.

However, it’s important to note that using a ccTLD can also limit a business’s reach. If a business uses a ccTLD for one country, it might be harder to reach customers in other countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right domain name and extension is an important decision for any website or business. While keyword domains may seem like a good idea, they can be limiting and forgettable. Brandable domain names, on the other hand, are more memorable, versatile, and can help build a strong brand identity.

In addition, there are a variety of domain extensions available, each with its own unique purpose and meaning. Whether you choose a ccTLD for a specific location or a general-purpose extension like .xyz, the right domain name and extension can help your website stand out and communicate what it’s about. By selecting a catchy and memorable domain name, you can make it easier for people to find and remember your website.