Article

How to choose a domain name for your small business

Six simple rules for picking a .com that customers can spell, remember and trust.

Published 2026-09-28 · by Kingpin Sites

Use a .com if you can

Customers type .com by habit. Other endings work, but a .com is the safest.

Rule 1: keep it short and easy to say over the phone

If you have to spell it twice, it is too hard. Avoid hyphens and numbers.

Rule 2: use your business name first

ramirezroofing.com is better than best-roofing-tampa-cheap.com. Exact-match keyword domains no longer help much, and they look spammy.

Rule 3: add the city or trade only if the name is taken

tampaplumbingco.com is fine as a second choice.

Rule 4: check the name is free everywhere

Search the name on Google, Facebook and Instagram, so your handle can match your domain.

Rule 5: register it in your own name

Use your own account. Turn on auto-renew so the domain never expires by accident.

Rule 6: get a matching email

you@yourbusiness.com looks far more trustworthy than a free mailbox.

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