You've just had that eureka moment. The perfect business idea has crystallized in your mind, complete with a catchy, memorable name that encapsulates everything your startup stands for. Excitement builds as you rush to check domain availability, fingers crossed, heart racing...
Only to discover that someone else had the same brilliant idea years ago. The coveted .com domain is already taken.
That deflating feeling is all too common—with over 370 million domain names registered worldwide and most single-word .com domains long gone—finding the perfect web address has become increasingly challenging.
Before you flip the table and go back to the drawing board, let's explore some creative alternatives that might actually work better for your brand in the long run.
3 creative domain strategies for your startup
Embrace Alternative Extensions
Is there another relevant domain extension, like ".co", ".us", ".io", or ".ai", that you can use? Many successful startups have embraced this approach with great results.
Notable examples include:
- zoom.us - Now a household name in video conferencing
- anthropic.ai - Perfectly aligned with their AI focus
- jasper.ai - Instantly communicating their AI capabilities
- mural.co - Simple, clean, and professional
The key advantage here is that alternative extensions can actually enhance your brand positioning. An AI company using ".ai" immediately signals their industry focus, while ".io" has become associated with tech startups and developer tools.
Bonus: Consider whether your extension can become part of your brand story. For example, a company focused on community might leverage the ".us" extension as part of their messaging.
Add a Meaningful Prefix to Your Name
Another effective approach is using suitable modifiers like "get", "try", "join", or "use" in front of your domain name. These aren't just practical solutions—they're effective 'call-to-actions' that can enhance your marketing.
Success stories:
- Slack initially used getslack.com before acquiring their current domain
- Dropbox began with getdropbox.com before transitioning to dropbox.com
- Many startups use "try" or "use" prefixes to great effect
This approach has the added benefit of creating a clear call to action right in your URL. When someone sees "getslack.com," they immediately understand what action they should take.
Get Creative with Country Code Domains
Perhaps the most innovative solution is incorporating country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) into your actual brand name. This approach turns a limitation into a distinctive feature that can become central to your brand identity.
Clever examples:
- A social educational platform called "teach.me" (Montenegro's .me domain)
- A premium studio equipment startup called "stud.io" (British Indian Ocean's .io domain)
- A development platform for macros called "Mac.ro" (Romania's .ro domain)
- The music streaming platform "last.fm" (Micronesia's .fm domain)
This approach requires more creativity but can result in extremely memorable, concise domains that become integral to your brand identity.
Bonus: Research the country associated with your chosen ccTLD to ensure there are no political or cultural considerations that might affect your brand perception in global markets.
Evaluating Your Domain Options
Now that you've found more than one promising alternatives, how do you know which one is your winner?
Here are three criteria to evaluate your frontrunners:
1. Memorability
When someone hears your domain in conversation, can they easily spell and remember it? The radio test is useful here: if you mentioned your domain during a radio interview, would listeners be able to find you online afterward? Avoid domains with unusual spellings or confusing structures.
2. Social Media Consistency
Are matching handles available on key social platforms? While perfect alignment isn't always possible, having consistent branding across your domain and social channels significantly strengthens your brand presence and makes you easier to find.
3. Future-Proof Scalability
If you plan to expand into new markets or product lines in the future, will this domain name still make sense, or is it too narrow? Avoid domains that might limit your growth or become irrelevant if your business evolves.
The Silver Lining
As domain names become increasingly scarce, remember that this challenge has pushed many successful companies to develop more creative, distinctive online identities. Your domain constraints today might lead to a more memorable brand tomorrow.
By embracing alternative extensions, creative prefixes, or country code domains, you can find a web address that's not just functional but enhances your brand identity.
