We’ve Seen These 3 Domain Name Mistakes Hurt Small Businesses—Here’s How to Avoid Them

Choosing a domain name for your business is a big deal. It’s like naming your kid—you want something that fits, is easy to remember, and won’t be a regret five years down the line.

But here’s the thing: a bad domain name can cost you customers, credibility, and even money. And after helping countless businesses launch their websites, we’ve seen the same domain name mistakes over and over again. Let’s make sure you don’t fall into the same traps.

Mistake #1: Using Numbers or Hyphens

Numbers and hyphens might seem like a clever way to make your domain unique, but in reality? They’re just confusing.

Picture this: You’re telling someone your website over the phone.

By the time they type it in, they’ve either given up or landed on the wrong site.

Better Approach:

• Stick to a simple, clean domain like quickfixsolutions.com

• If your business name includes a number, buy both versions to avoid missing traffic. Example:

  • 1stChoiceConsulting.com and FirstChoiceConsulting.com

Small tweaks like this make a big difference in how easy it is for people to find you.

Mistake #2: Making the Name Too Long or Complicated

If your domain name feels like a sentence, it’s too long.

Example: ChavezAndSonsLandscapingCompany.com
That’s 28 characters of extra effort your customers won’t want to type.

How to Fix It:

✔ Focus on location + service:
Instead of ChavezAndSonsLandscapingCompany.com, try PortlandLandscaper.com (if you're local to Portland). It’s simple, clear, and tells customers exactly what you do.

✔ Consider alternative domain extensions:
If .com is taken, don’t panic. Options like .co, .local, or even .biz can work for small businesses.

✔ Use abbreviations or relevant keywords:
Example: Instead of ChavezAndSonsLandscapingCompany.com, you could use:

• ChavezLawnCare.com (direct & keyword-friendly)

• HireChavezAndSons.com (memorable & action-driven)

The goal? Keep it short, simple, and easy to remember.

Mistake #3: Choosing a Domain Name Too Similar to a Popular Website

We get it—you see a successful business and think, “If I name my business something similar, I might get their traffic.”

🚨 Huge mistake. 🚨

Not only is this confusing for customers, but it could also get you into legal trouble.

Real Example:

I was in NYC recently, craving tacos, and searched for the famous Los Tacos No. 1. But I also saw another taco shop called just Los Tacos.

Guess which one I almost walked into?

If your business name is too close to an already well-known brand, you’re not just competing for attention—you’re setting yourself up for brand confusion.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

✔ Do your research before choosing a name. Search Google and see if there’s a well-known business with a similar name in your industry.

✔ Be original. Your brand should stand out, not blend in. Use unique keywords or location-based terms to differentiate yourself.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts: Own Your Domain—Don’t Let Someone Else Hold It Hostage

One last (but super important) thing—make sure YOU are the one registering your domain.

We’ve seen it too many times—a business owner hires a web developer, a family member, or an "IT guy" to handle it, only to lose access when that person disappears, becomes unreachable, or worse, holds it hostage. Suddenly, you’re locked out of your own website, and getting it back is a nightmare.

How to Avoid This Mess:

✅ Buy your own domain. It’s simple—just go to domains.squarespace.com and register it yourself. For $20 a year, you get an easy-to-manage platform that keeps you in control.

✅ Add permissions instead of handing over ownership. If you need a web developer or IT person to manage things, don’t give them your login—just add them as a collaborator (here’s how to do that). They can handle the tech stuff while you stay the rightful owner.

🚨 Avoid third-party registrars like GoDaddy just to save a few bucks. 🚨
We get it—spending $12 instead of $20 sounds nice, but trust us, it’s not worth the headache.

❌ Long wait times for DNS changes
❌ Aggressive upselling tactics (they’ll try to charge you extra for an SSL certificate and privacy—things that should be standard)
❌ Confusing interfaces that make domain management harder than it needs to be

At the end of the day, your domain is your digital storefront—protect it. Own it. And don’t let someone else hold it over your head.

Now tell me—have you ever run into domain name struggles? Drop a comment!