How to pick a good domain name
A good domain name is short, easy to say and spell, and ends in .com if you can get one, which is harder now that .com and .net hold 182.5 million registrations; technically, each part can be up to 63 characters of letters, numbers and hyphens. Heya, the builder behind this guide, doesn't sell domains, so you buy one from a registrar and connect it on Pro Standard for $6 a month.
Heya is ours. Every other number comes from the sources listed under How we checked, as of November 10, 2026.
Pick a name you can say out loud
Say the name as if you're telling someone where to find your site. Would you need to spell it, explain a joke, or tell them which letters you've left out? If the explanation takes longer than the name, try another version.
Start with the name you want people to know your business by. If you're naming the business and the site together, work on them together: write down a name you like, say it aloud, check the domain, then come back to the name. Don't commit to one while treating the other as an afterthought.
Keep it plain. A clever spelling might appeal to you on paper, but ask yourself whether you'd want to explain it every time you say the address. The same goes for numbers: would you have to tell someone to type the digit rather than the word?
You don't need to make the domain describe everything you do. Choose wording you'd be comfortable putting on the site, saying to a customer, and keeping if your plans change.
Keep these checks handy
Use this as a pass over your shortlist, not a reason to keep tinkering forever.
| Tip | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Keep it short | There's less to type and less to spell out when you share it. |
| Say it aloud | You can hear where the name needs an explanation. |
| Use a spelling you're comfortable explaining | You'll need to give people the address, not just display it. |
| Try .com first | It's the first extension worth checking for your chosen name. |
| Question every number and hyphen | Decide whether it belongs in the name or whether you're adding it to get an available address. |
| Keep each part within 63 characters | That's the limit for each part of a domain name. |
| Keep the whole name within 253 characters | The complete name has its own limit, separate from the limit on each part. |
| Use letters, numbers and hyphens | Those are the allowed characters, and a name can't start or end with a hyphen. |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Those character limits are ceilings, not targets. Don't add words just because there's room.
And check the name as one continuous string, without spaces or capital letters doing the work (even if your logo will use them). Does it still read the way you intended?
Check what's available before you settle
Look up the exact domain you want before you settle on the business name. If it's unavailable, go back to your shortlist rather than immediately adding a hyphen or a string of numbers.
You can consider a different extension, too. Compare the full addresses, not just the words before the dot, and choose the one you're willing to use everywhere you share your site.
Don't rush this part. Read the address aloud again after every change; a small edit can leave you with something you wouldn't have picked on its own.
Before buying, check for businesses already using the same or a similar name, and check for trademark conflicts. Domain availability shouldn't be your only naming check. You can also look at the social handles you'd want, without letting an unavailable handle make the whole decision for you.
Compare the registration and renewal price
Once you've chosen a name, compare registrars. Look at what you'll pay to register it and what you'll pay to keep it, rather than stopping at the sale price.
Porkbun lists .com from $11.81 a year including the ICANN fee, with free WHOIS privacy.
From November 1, 2026, Namecheap's .com price is $15.98 to register or transfer and $19.98 to renew, before the ICANN fee. Keep that date attached to the price when you're comparing it.
Dynadot lists .com at $11.62 to register, renew or transfer. Spaceship lists .com at $10.38 (on sale for $9.48), renewing at $10.68, with free WHOIS privacy on eligible domains.
Cloudflare Registrar sells domains at cost with no markup and includes free WHOIS redaction.
Compare the same extension across the registrars you're considering, and read the renewal line before paying. If privacy is part of your choice, check the wording for the domain you're buying, including any eligibility conditions.
Connect the domain to your site
Buying the domain and choosing where to build the site are separate decisions. You can buy the address from a registrar and connect it to a builder that supports custom domains.
Heya, the publisher of this guide, is a no-code builder and one option for that setup. It doesn't sell domains; you bring one from any registrar. You sign in with Google to publish.
If you want to build before buying an address, Heya Free costs $0 with no credit card and no time limit. It includes 3 sites, up to 5 pages per site, all 68 templates, and a free yourname.heya.bio address with HTTPS. There's a small Made with Heya badge.
For your own domain, Heya Pro Standard is $6 a month and includes 5 sites and 1 custom domain per account with HTTPS. Keep the domain registration separate from the builder plan when you're comparing what to buy.
How we checked
We checked every number on this page on November 10, 2026. The facts come from Porkbun, Namecheap, Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief, heya.page/pricing and heya.page/docs.
Plans change often. If a number here is out of date, email hello@heya.page and we'll fix it.
FAQ
Should I choose .com or change my name?
Check .com first, but don't force an awkward name just to get it. If your preferred address isn't available, compare a different name with a different extension and say both full addresses aloud.
Can a domain name contain numbers or hyphens?
Yes, domain names can use letters, numbers and hyphens, but they can't start or end with a hyphen. Each part can be up to 63 characters, and the whole name can be up to 253.
Which domain registrar should I use?
Compare the registration price, renewal price and privacy offering for the domain you want. Porkbun, Namecheap, Dynadot, Spaceship and Cloudflare Registrar are options to compare.
Can I buy a domain through Heya?
No, Heya doesn't sell domains, so you'll buy yours from a registrar and connect it. Custom domain support starts on Heya Pro Standard at $6 a month.
Related guides: Best domain registrars, Domain vs hosting, Get a free domain and Free subdomains.
More from Heya: All guides, Templates and Pricing.
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