7 Mistakes to Avoid When Registering a Domain for Your Business

It’s not always the webpage that people first notice about your business; it’s often the information on the address bar that catches their eyes – the domain name. Whether they are clicking a link or keying in the full domain name, internet users glance at the bar to check if the information is correct. From there, your first digital touchpoint is established. But what makes the strings of characters in a business website significant? A business owner’s choice of domain name can influence credibility, branding, SEO, and customer trust instantly and in the long run. Making the right selection the first time is imperative; otherwise, businesses risk long-term challenges and frustrations regarding ambitions for growth and brand recognition. Being aware of the seven common pitfalls we are going to discuss here will help you formulate a smart approach in registering a business and position your business for success.

Failing to Research Trademarks and Existing Brands

There are about 1.1 billion websites on the internet, but around 200 million of these sites are active. Don’t let these statistical figures fool you into thinking that a cool-sounding, seemingly unique name you pick doesn’t have a match. Many businesses that chose a domain name without researching it first paid dearly for it, either through facing legal challenges or being forced to surrender the domain after launch. Diligent research is key to avoiding this costly slip-up. Conducting thorough trademark searches before registration and searching domain databases and social media handles are steps you can take to ensure your chosen domain name isn’t similar or heavily associated with another entity. Consulting a legal professional is a wise recourse in case of doubt or uncertainty. Don’t leave things to chance, and do your homework on domain name selection first to save your business thousands in legal fees and rebranding costs.

Choosing a Long, Complicated, or Confusing Name

A lengthy domain name can deter potential visitors; so does a domain that’s hard to spell, pronounce, or remember. Ideally, people should be able to hear your domain once and easily recall it later. This mistake can be easily avoided by keeping the proposed domain name short and simple, and avoiding hyphens, numbers, and unusual spellings. Testing it for memorability – reading it out loud – can help you discern if it sounds clear and easy to remember when spoken. A simple, shorter domain means easier communication, encouraging word-of-mouth promotion among customers.

Ignoring the Importance of the Right Extension

For tech-savvy business owners, this mistake shouldn’t make it into the list, but it is still a common mistake in domain registrations. There are still new businesses that mix up the .com and .org extensions. A “.com” is an extension used for commercial entities, where businesses belong, while a “.org” is an extension non-profit organizations. While not a mistake, some businesses also fail to utilize niche-specific extensions (.net, .co, .io, etc.) and country-specific extensions (.jp, .ca, .fr, etc), for a targeted approach. Simple solutions to this mistake include securing the .com extension if possible, using .net as an alternative if .com is unavailable, and purchasing multiple relevant extensions if available. Avoid confusing customers and driving them toward competitors — choose the right extension.

Only Registering for One Year

It can be a misconception of the domain expiration or a misguided attempt to save money that leads to the mistake of not renewing a domain registration. A domain lapse can leave your budding domain up for grabs, and someone else could snatch it. This is easily avoidable, as many domain-selling companies offer affordable domain registration, so you can register your domain for multiple years upfront. You can also set up auto-renewal with updated payment information. If you have a business calendar, include reminders to manually check on your domain’s renewal status at least a month before it expires. Not only do you ensure your domain stays yours, but you also get an added SEO boost, as longer registrations also sometimes indicate greater credibility to search engines.

Not Acting Quickly Enough

Time is of the essence when registering domain names – registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, where popular names are most likely snapped up fast. Even a few days of hesitation can cost you the perfect name you came up with. The solution is simple: act promptly once you’ve decided on a domain. Use services that offer convenient domain registration to secure the name right away without undue stress. Come well-prepared and have a backup list of acceptable names just in case your top choice is taken. The bottom line here is to avoid missing out on opportunities and spending extra on negotiating to buy an already registered domain.

Forgetting About Privacy Protection

Privacy is vital for your business, as it separates personal matters from business matters. When you register a domain, your personal or business information — including your name, address, phone number, and email — becomes part of the public WHOIS database. This makes your contact information public, exposing you to spam and potential security issues. To avoid privacy invasions, you can purchase WHOIS privacy protection through your domain registrar. You can also choose an affordable package that bundles privacy services along with your domain. It’s also important to develop an understanding that privacy not only reduces spam but also protects you from unwanted solicitations or potential identity theft. Prioritize and don’t overlook privacy when setting up your business’s online presence.

Not Considering Future Growth

When choosing a domain, it can be easy to get short-sighted and focus solely on your current business model and forget to consider your business’s potential evolution or expansion. In the future, your business may offer new services, expand to different markets, or target a broader audience, so you need a domain name that gives you flexibility. Avoid highly specific names that could limit future growth, and ensure that the domain remains applicable and relevant even if you diversify your product offerings. Establish a sense of direction early by brainstorming about where you want your business to be in five or ten years. Future-proofing your domain saves you from expensive rebranding efforts later.

When registering a domain name for your business, expand your perspective by looking at it from your own and a prospective customer or visitor’s points of view. Is it simple and memorable? Did it undergo thorough research? Is it registered promptly and for the long term? Does it keep an eye on privacy and future growth? Having a favorable answer to these questions sets up your domain registration for success. So, take your time in registering your domain the right way, and the payoff will be impressive: brand recognition, customer trust, and business growth for years to come.

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More Recommended Ebike/Scooters

Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:

Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.

More Recommended Investing App Bonuses

For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:

M1 Finance ($100) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with just $10 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
Webull (20 free stock shares) – Webull's current promotion gives you 20 free shares valued between $3-$3,000 each if you open an account using my referral link. Here’s a guide I wrote about how to earn your free shares using Webull.
Moomoo (15 free stocks) – Moomoo is a free investing app currently offering 2 different referral bonuses if you open an account using a referral link. Read my Moomoo referral bonus guide for more information.
Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.

More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses

If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.

Upgrade ($200) – Upgrade is a free checking account that’s currently offering a $200 referral bonus if you open an account and complete a direct deposit. These bonus terms are easy to meet, so it’s well worth doing this bonus as soon as you can. Here’s a post I wrote with more details: Upgrade $200 Referral Bonus – Step By Step Directions.
Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
Fairwinds Credit Union ($175) – Fairwinds Credit Union is offering a referral bonus for users that sign up using a referral link. Fairwinds has no fees or minimum balance, so this is a particularly easy bonus to earn. Since this is a smaller credit union, my gut instinct tells me this offer won’t be around long, so if you’re in a position to meet the bonus requirements, grab this bonus before it’s gone. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Fairwinds Credit Union bonus.
Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
US Bank Business ($900) – This is a fairly easy bank bonus to earn, since there are no direct deposit requirements. In addition, you can open the Silver Business Checking account, which comes with no monthly fees. Check out how to earn this big bonus here.
GO2Bank ($50) - GO2Bank is an easy bank bonus that I recommend people take advantage of if they have an easy way of meeting the direct deposit requirement. I like that it’s easy to open the account and that the bonus pays out quickly. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your GO2Bank $50 referral bonus.
Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link. Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
Novo Bank ($40) - Novo bank is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 bonus if you open a Novo business checking account using a referral link. In addition to being a good bank bonus, Novo is also a good business checking account. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and operates a good app and website. Indeed, it’s the business checking account I currently use for this blog. Check out my post on how to easily open a Novo account.
Varo ($25) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $25 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.

Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.

Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.

Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:

SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $900 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account.
Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.

Feel free to send Kevin a message here.