These 7 mistakes can cost you clients (before you even create your website):

#1 Your domain is hard to spell or remember.

If someone hears it once, can they type it correctly?

Give your name the “phone test”: if you say it once on a call, can someone type it correctly without asking you to repeat it? Avoid double letters, cute misspellings, hyphens, and numbers that force people to pause or guess. Watch for sound-alike words (e.g., counsel vs. council) and regional spellings that create confusion. Clear and simple domain names are the best – and get typed correctly on the first try.

#2 You didn’t research before purchasing.

Before you fall in love with a name, do a quick conflict check in the U.S. Patent & Trademark database and your state business registry for names that are too close in your field. This isn’t legal advice, just a sanity check that can save you rebranding later. If you’re a lawyer or law firm, also review your state bar’s naming rules so your domain aligns with ethical requirements. When in doubt, choose a distinct name that you can clearly own in the market.

#3 Skipping the .com.

Yes, there are hundreds of extensions, but they’re almost always harder to remember than .com.

People default to typing .com; it’s muscle memory. Alternative extensions can work as supporting domains, but they’re harder to remember and easier to mistype. If your ideal .com is taken, add a short, relevant word (e.g., “smithlaw” → “smithlawfirm”) rather than switching extensions. Consider defensively buying the close variations and pointing them to your main .com.

#4 Not ready for social.

Finding out the matching social media handles are taken after locking in a domain name is a branding nightmare. Claim social handles before – or at the same time – you buy the domain.

Before purchasing your domain name, check all the platforms you’ll use (even if you don’t plan to right away) and choose a handle pattern you can keep everywhere. Avoid long strings, random numbers, and hard-to-read blends; prioritize clarity and brevity. Lock in the handles the same day you buy the domain to prevent surprises.

#5 Your domain doesn’t match your business name.

This confuses potential clients, and it makes your business look less than professional. Future-proof your choice: if you might add additional services or partners, pick a name that won’t box you in. Consistency builds trust – and trust drives inquiries.

Pro tip: Secure your business name, domain name, and social handles at the same time to make sure they match.

#6 Tying your name to a website platform.

Don’t buy a domain name from a website hosting company that locks you into their platform. This limits what you can do with your website, and it could keep you from growing in the future. Buying your domain from a reputable neutral registrar (we use and highly recommend DirectNic) lets you move platforms without friction. Look for essentials like easy DNS management, domain privacy, auto-renewals, and domain name expiration notifications. The last two are crucial: if your domain name expires, your website does down.

#7 Waiting too long to buy.

When you find the right domain, grab it. Domains are first-come, first-served, and great names disappear fast, or be snapped up and relisted at a premium. If a name is available, register it now. There’s no guarantee it’ll still be available tomorrow (or an hour from now).