Buying a domain name sounds simple enough. You type in what you want, click purchase, and you’re done, right?
Not exactly.
Many people make costly mistakes when registering a domain. From choosing a name that’s impossible to remember to accidentally violating trademark laws, one wrong move could cost you your online presence before you even launch.
To make sure you get the perfect domain without headaches, here are some of the most common mistakes people make – and how you can avoid them.
Choosing a Complicated Name
Your domain name should be easy to type, easy to say out loud, and easy to remember.
If people have to guess the spelling or have a hard time recalling it, you’re losing traffic before they even visit your site.
Here’s what you should do:
- Keep the name short and simple. If possible, keep it under 15 characters.
- Avoid numbers, hyphens, and unusual spellings.
- Test it out by saying it out loud. The name should be easy to pronounce.
- Ask others if the name is memorable.
For example, instead of “Tech4U-Solutions.com”, go for “TechSolutions.com”.
Ignoring Trademarks
Imagine that you’ve registered a domain and finally launched your brand. But just when you start to get traction, you receive a cease and desist from a company that owns the trademark to your domain name.
Now, you’ll have to either give up your domain or face legal trouble.
Ignoring trademarks is one of the biggest mistakes people make. To avoid this, before you purchase a domain name, do a quick search to make sure it’s not trademarked.
You can:
- Check for trademarks on websites like USPTO.gov (for US trademarks) and similar databases for other countries.
- Do a Google search to see if other businesses are using a similar name.
- Avoid using famous brand names in your domain, like “NikeShoesOnline.com”, which is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Knowing these mistakes and being proactive can save you from expensive legal battles down the road.
Not Checking Social Media Availability
Your website isn’t the only place where your brand will exist. Your domain name is your entire online identity.
If you register a domain but find out that all social media handles are taken, branding will be much harder.
Here’s what to do:
- Check X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for availability before you buy the domain.
- Keep your domain and social handles the same, if possible.
- If your exact name isn’t available, use variations like adding “Official” after it. For example, if “TechSolutions” is taken on social media, try “TechSolutionsOfficial”.
Ignoring SEO and Branding
Domains impact SEO more than you think. While stuffing keywords into your domain isn’t really necessary, choosing the wrong name can still hurt your SEO.
Make sure you:
- Pick a name that reflects your business and niche.
- Avoid stuffing keywords so it doesn’t look spammy, like “Best-Cheap-Running-Shoes-Online.com” does.
- Choose a domain extension that fits your audience. For example, .com is the best, but .sg is great for businesses in Singapore.
A domain name that is branded well helps with recognition, credibility, and search visibility.
Only Considering the Cheapest Option
Cheap domains aren’t always a good deal. Some providers may even offer $1 deals for the first year, but when it’s time to review, you’ll probably get hit with a $50 yearly fee.
Domains are affordable but don’t just go for the lowest price without checking the renewal fees.
Watch out for:
- Hidden fees for WHOIS privacy, SSL, or email hosting.
- Providers that make transferring your domain difficult.
- Domains with extremely high renewal prices after the first year.
Also, consider domain protection services to avoid losing your domain to hackers.
A good provider will be transparent about costs and offer fair renewal rates.
Forgetting to Renew the Domain on Time
So, you’ve secured the perfect domain, built your website, and started gaining traffic. But then, one day, you find out your website is down because you forgot to renew the domain. And now, someone else owns it.
This happens more often than you’d think. If a domain expires, it can be snatched up by someone else, and getting it back is expensive.
To prevent this:
- Set up auto-renewal so your domain never expires.
- Keep your payment method updated to avoid failed transactions.
- Register your domain for multiple years at once, if possible.
If you let your domain expire, someone else may buy it and resell it for thousands of dollars.
Not Registering Variations and Misspellings
If you’re serious about building a brand, you need to know how to protect it as well.
Instead of buying just one domain, it’s better to buy multiple versions of your domain. This prevents competitors or scammers from taking similar names and misleading or stealing your audience.
Domains you might want to register will have:
- Common misspellings – for example, “Gooogle.com” for Google.
- Different extensions. For example, if you register “BestShoes.com”, also grab “BestShoes.net” and “BestShoes.org”.
- Hyphenated versions, like “Best-Shoes.com”.
Redirect these domains to your main website so no traffic is lost.
Choosing a Domain That’s Too Niche-Specific
A domain name should grow with your brand. If it’s too specific, it might limit future expansion.
For example, if you’re selling cameras, you might choose “BuyCheapCameras.com” as your domain. But what if you later expand to selling other tech gadgets, too?
A more flexible option would be “TechStore.com” since it allows room to grow into other product categories.
Ignoring Domain Privacy Protection
When you register a domain, your personal details – like your name, email, and phone number – become public.
To avoid this, you have to purchase WHOIS privacy protection.
Without it, you might get:
- Spam emails and calls.
- Potential identity theft if someone misuses your details.
- Scammers trying to steal your domain.
Most providers offer WHOIS privacy for an additional, small fee. It’s worth the extra cost.
Final Thoughts
Buying a domain name is more than just picking a URL. It’s an investment in your brand.
Don’t let small mistakes create big regrets. Whether you’re starting a business, blog, or personal website, avoiding these common mistakes will save you time, money, and legal trouble.
If you’re ready to secure the perfect domain, make sure to choose a trusted provider that offers fair pricing, security features, and excellent customer support.
You don’t just want a domain – you want peace of mind knowing that your online presence is secure.
