Domain Name Mistakes Startups Should Avoid
Common pitfalls that create friction and cost you traffic.
The most common mistake is choosing a name that is hard to spell or say. If people cannot type it from memory, you lose direct traffic and word-of-mouth. Hyphens and numbers amplify this problem.
Another mistake is ignoring the matching .com. If a competitor owns it, you may leak traffic and trust for years. Skipping basic trademark research is also risky and can force a costly rebrand later.
Finally, avoid boxing yourself in with an overly narrow keyword name if you plan to expand. Choose a name with room to grow, and validate it out loud with real people before you commit.