Domains · April 10, 2026 · 4 min read
5 domain name mistakes that will haunt you
Every one of these decisions looks harmless at registration. By year two, they're each costing you customers.

Hyphens get lost when people say the name out loud. Numbers raise the question: is that 'four' or '4'?
Niche TLDs (.biz, .info, .shop) feel cheap to a lot of customers. Stick with .com when you can.
Don't lock yourself in with a name that's too narrow. 'Sarahs-cupcakes-downtown.com' won't grow with you. 'Sarahsbakery.com' will.
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