- Einat Shafir-Haviv
- Jan 5
- 8 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
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Most people choose a domain name for business thinking it’s a one-and-done deal, but I’ve seen many outgrow their domain names or run into issues they didn’t see coming.
Whether you’re ready to buy a domain or start fresh with a free website builder, it’s better to address potential problems early than fix them later.
In this blog, I’ll help you decide when it’s time to finally face the music and make a change.
Here are the top reasons why you might want to consider switching your domain name for business, based on my experience.
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TL;DR: domain name for business
Choosing the right domain name for business is more important than you might think. A confusing, hard-to-remember or outdated domain can hurt branding, SEO and credibility.
And if you’re learning how to make a website, this guide will help you spot the warnings signs and show you what to do about it.
Key signs your domain might need a change
Customers can’t spell or remember it easily.
Domain extensions that hurts credibility (.shop vs .com/.net).
It doesn’t reflect your brand clearly.
Poor search engine rankings or SEO penalties.
Too similar to another brand’s domain.
You’re rebranding or expanding.
Issue | What to look for | Quick fixes |
Hard to remember | Misspellings, long URLs | Shorten, simplify, remove hyphens/numbers |
TLD hurting credibility | Unfamiliar extensions | Consider .com, .net or widely accepted alternatives |
Doesn’t match brand | Extra words, outdated keywords | Secure premium or exact-match domain |
Low SEO performance | Poor rankings, old penalties | Audit domain history, set up 301 redirects |
Too similar to another brand | Confusing or trademark conflicts | Choose a distinct name, check trademarks |
Rebranding/expanding | Business growth or new focus | Update domain, redirect old URLs, secure misspellings & social handles |
Pair your domain with a professional business email to boost credibility and keep your brand consistent.
6 signs your domain name for business needs an update
If you’re wondering whether your domain name for business is holding you back, here are the key issues to look out for. We’ve also included relevant domain name statistics to help you understand trends and see how your site compares.
Jump to the section most relevant to you:
01. Your customers can’t spell or remember your domain name
The logic here is simple. If your customers struggle to spell or recall your domain, then they’re less likely to end up on your site. Understanding what is a domain can help you see why this matters, it’s more than just an address; it’s a key part of your brand identity.
One way to see if you’re experiencing this issue is by looking at search trends. Do you see people frequently misspelling your domain on Google or on social media?
Alternatively, ask your customers for direct feedback or look at referral traffic for an idea of how many people are finding your site organically.
Adam Garcia, founder of TheStockDork.com, once told us, “Last year alone, our domain name helped drive over 100,000 organic visits, since people actually remember and type it directly, rather than having to search for us on Google.”
As Adam points out, your domain is a marketing asset. Make sure it’s serving you well.
Tips for fixing this issue:
Keep your domain name short, and snip out words like “the” if they’re nonessential. According to Wix data, the average domain length is 20 characters, including the “.com”/TLD.
Use common words as opposed to jargon or complicated phrases.
Avoid numbers and hyphens if you can help it (they’re easy to forget or mix up).
When implementing marketing strategies, use title capitalization to make the URL more readable (for example, “BestCoffeeShop.com” versus “bestcoffeeshop.com”).
If your domain is the same name as your business but is hard for people to remember, try a shorter abbreviation (just like how American Eagle Outfitters use ae.com).
Learn more:
02. You have a domain extension that’s hurting credibility
These days, there are a number of different top-level domains (TLDs) you can choose from. There’s .ai, .shop, even .xyz.
But while some TLDs, like .shop, can act as helpful descriptors, others might look awkward or unprofessional to your customers.
From my experience, a .com domain and a .net domain remain the most universally accepted TLDs. That said, if you’re creating a website for a nonprofit or other organization, .org extensions are great too.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your core audience and how they perceive a specific TLD.
If you use an uncommon TLD and see lower-than-average click-through rates (CTR) on your online ads or posts, this might indicate that people don’t quite trust your domain. Or, if you notice that you’re the only one in your industry using a specific TLD, you might want to consider switching to a more familiar extension.
Tips for fixing this issue:
A/B test other TLDs by running the same campaigns with a different domain. Do you see any changes in user engagement?
If possible, buy your domain with multiple extensions (e.g., einat.com and einat.net) to connect them all to your site and protect your brand.
View more domain name trends, explore .org vs .com or see the best .com alternatives (according to business owners).
03. Your domain doesn’t reflect your brand
When you’re starting a business website and learning how to register a domain for the first time, you might end up throwing in an extra word or punctuation mark to get a domain that matches your brand the closest.
For example, before Dropbox landed dropbox.com, it used getdropbox.com to avoid paying a load of money for the cleaner, more direct URL.
However as the company grew, it found that more and more people were searching dropbox.com (without the “get”), and they were thereby losing valuable web traffic.
Finally, in October 2009, TechCrunch reported, “Dropbox Acquires The Domain Everyone Thought It Had.”
In the same vein, if you find yourself stuck with a second-best domain, ask yourself if it’s time to make a change.
Tips for fixing this issue:
While .com remains king, using another widely accepted TLD like .co or .net could help you secure an exact-match domain name if the .com version is taken.
Consider using a country-code TLD as another alternative to .com.
Sometimes, premium domains are worth their price. As Cyrus Partow, CEO of ShipTheDeal.com notes, “I found that investing $250 a year in ShipTheDeal.com was worth every penny since it perfectly matches our brand…After trying cheaper alternatives with hyphens and longer names that confused customers, I realized a clean, memorable domain actually saves money in marketing and builds more trust with shoppers.”
Try a domain name generator to spark ideas or do a domain name search to see what’s available and secure your ideal URL today.
04. Your site isn’t ranking well in search engines
In some cases, different types of domains can actively work against your SEO goals.
For instance, if your domain includes irrelevant or outdated keywords that no longer reflect your offerings, search engines may misinterpret what your site is about. This can, in turn, lead to lower rankings and less qualified traffic.
In another instance, a domain might carry a history of spammy behavior or SEO penalties from a previous owner. This type of history can be difficult to fully recover from and may continue to suppress your visibility in search results.
Even beyond technical SEO, a confusing or untrustworthy-looking domain can negatively impact your CTR, which search engines pay attention to.
Switching to a cleaner, more relevant and brandable domain can help reset your SEO standing and bring in more qualified traffic.
Tips for fixing this issue:
Audit your domain history using WHOIS Lookup (to check for frequent ownership changes that could have left behind a negative footprint) and Google Search Console (to see if any penalties have been applied).
Evaluate your current domain rankings and keyword relevance using a tool like Semrush.
Consider switching to a fresh, brandable domain. Make sure to set up 301 redirects, update all internal links and follow other best practices for how to change a domain name.
Learn more about domain management ➔
05. Your domain is too similar to another brand’s
If your domain resembles a competitor’s or an existing brand’s too closely, you risk confusing visitors and facing legal issues.
As an example, let’s say you’re launching a wellness brand with the URL GlowNaturals.com, only to find out there’s a massively popular skincare company called Glow Natural.
It’s likely that consumers will mistype your URL, assuming you’re affiliated with Glow Natural. Search engines might similarly struggle to differentiate your brand.
Worse, you could end up with a trademark dispute on your hands. Even if things don’t escalate legally, the brand confusion could hurt your credibility and make it nearly impossible to build a strong identity.
If people constantly ask, “Wait, are you the same as…?,” that’s a pretty clear sign that it’s time for a more distinct domain name. Using domain privacy when registering your new domain can also protect your personal information and keep your ownership secure during this process.
Tips for fixing this issue:
Before making any changes, test your current domain with real people. Ask friends, colleagues or potential customers what they think of your name and if it reminds them of anything else.
Do a thorough trademark search on your new name. Search national and international trademark databases to ensure you're not encroaching on someone else's brand.
Claim matching social media handles and domains, staying consistent across platforms reinforces your brand and prevents confusion.
06. You’re rebranding or expanding
If your business has outgrown its original name or focus, it’s time for your domain to catch up.
Maybe you started as a local business, and now you’re expanding to a global audience. Or, perhaps you’re heading in the same direction as Dunkin’, which dropped the “Donuts” from its original name (Dunkin’ Donuts) to reflect its expanding product line and its dreams of being known as a beverage company.
Your domain should ultimately appeal to the right audiences and reflect where your brand’s headed.
Tips for fixing this issue:
Choose a domain that reflects your future, not just your past (read my tips for future-proofing your domain). Try it out in conversation and consider a soft launch, where you slowly introduce your new domain to your customers or select focus groups.
Announce the change clearly. Let your audience know what’s changing and why.
When rebranding your website, update your email addresses, social profiles, marketing materials and anywhere else that uses your old domain.
When moving to a new name, register (and redirect from) common misspellings and other extensions (like .net domain) to avoid confusion and keep copycats at bay. Also, consider keeping your current domain if it closely matches your new one. This can help you avoid losing SEO equity and traffic from loyal visitors who may still type in your original URL.
Sign up for Wix today and get the perfect domain name in minutes ➔
Domain name for business FAQ
What is a domain name for business?
A domain name for business is your website’s address on the internet (like YourBrand.com) that represents your brand online. It’s a key part of your identity and can affect branding, SEO features and customer trust.
How do I know if my domain name for business isn't working?
Signs your domain name for business may need an update include:
Customers can’t spell or remember it
It doesn’t reflect your brand
Poor search engine rankings
Confusion with other brands
Outdated domain extensions
Should I buy a domain for my business?
Yes, buying a domain gives you full control over your online brand, protects your business from competitors and helps with credibility. You can purchase one directly or secure multiple extensions to protect your brand.
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