How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Blog or Website

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Your domain name is your website address, and it is hard to change later. A little thought now saves trouble down the road.

Keep it short and easy to say

Short names are easier to remember and type. Say the name out loud: if you have to spell it for people, it may be too complicated.

Avoid hyphens and numbers

They cause confusion when shared verbally. Choose a name people can type correctly the first time.

Pick the right extension

A .com is the most familiar, but other extensions can work if the name is good. Check that the name is available as a social media handle too.

Check for trademark issues

Search the name to make sure it does not look like an existing brand. This avoids legal and confusion problems later.

Think about the future

Avoid names that limit you to one narrow topic if you may expand later.

Where to register it

Most hosting companies let you register a domain and set up hosting together. If you are choosing hosting, see Hostinger as one option to compare, and read our beginner checklist on what to look for in web hosting first.

Once you have a name, our guide to starting a blog shows the next steps.