Should the domain match my company name exactly?

Ideally yes, because it removes a step for anyone trying to find you. A close variant such as adding get, try, or the product category is acceptable if the exact match is unavailable and expensive.

Do keywords in a domain still help SEO?

Only marginally. Exact-match keyword domains lost most of their ranking advantage over a decade ago. A memorable brand name that earns links and direct traffic outperforms a keyword-stuffed domain in practice.

How long should I register the domain for?

One year is fine to start with auto-renew enabled. Multi-year registration mainly buys peace of mind against a lapsed payment method, and for a name you are committed to it is worth the small prepayment.

How to choose a domain name you will not regret

Choosing a domain is a one-hour decision you live with for years. This is the checklist we would run through before buying, in order.

1. Make it survive being said out loud

The strongest test is the radio test: say the name to someone and ask them to type it. If they need a spelling, a hyphen, or a number clarified, the name will leak traffic forever. Avoid intentional misspellings, doubled letters across word boundaries, and homophones.

Two or three syllables is the practical sweet spot
No hyphens, no digits, no ambiguous spellings
Read it as a full URL, not just as a word

2. Pick the extension deliberately

The .com extension remains the default for consumer trust and direct navigation. Category extensions such as .ai, .io, .dev, and .studio are fully accepted in technical and creative markets and often make a short name reachable. Country codes work well when your customers are local, but check the registry residency requirements first.

3. Clear the name before you fall in love with it

Search the trademark register in the markets you will sell in, check that the matching social handles are free or close enough, and look for an existing company with a confusingly similar name. Doing this before purchase is cheap; doing it after launch is a rebrand.

Trademark search in your primary markets
Handle availability on the platforms you will actually use
A plain web search for near-identical companies

4. Decide how much to defend

Defensive registrations are insurance, not strategy. For most early companies the exact name on one or two extensions is enough. Add the .com, the obvious typo, or a country code only once real traffic makes the loss meaningful.

5. Buy it, then lock it down

After registration, turn on auto-renew, keep the registrar lock enabled, add WHOIS privacy, and make sure the recovery email on the account will still exist in five years. Most lost domains are lost to an expired card or an abandoned inbox, not to a hijacking.

Frequently asked questions

Should the domain match my company name exactly?: Ideally yes, because it removes a step for anyone trying to find you. A close variant such as adding get, try, or the product category is acceptable if the exact match is unavailable and expensive.
Do keywords in a domain still help SEO?: Only marginally. Exact-match keyword domains lost most of their ranking advantage over a decade ago. A memorable brand name that earns links and direct traffic outperforms a keyword-stuffed domain in practice.
How long should I register the domain for?: One year is fine to start with auto-renew enabled. Multi-year registration mainly buys peace of mind against a lapsed payment method, and for a name you are committed to it is worth the small prepayment.