How To Choose A Domain Name For Your Trades Business

Aim for a name that's easy to say out loud over the phone and easy to type. If you have to spell it twice, it's probably too long or too awkward. A short, clean name sticks in a customer's mind far better than a string of keywords.

Say it out loud. If it trips you up, consider something simpler.

The ideal domain is your actual trading name (or a close, memorable version of it). This keeps your domain, your business and your branding consistent — which matters when a customer tries to find you after seeing your van or a review.

If 'johansmithroofing.com' is taken, try 'johansmithroofing.co.uk' or '-ltd' before changing the name entirely.

A name like 'best-affordable-24hr-roofing-repairs-leeds.com' looks spammy and is hard to remember. Google reads the whole site, not just the domain, so a natural business name serves you better than a keyword salad. Trust and memorability win over keyword match.

Your business name on a good site ranks better than a keyword-stuffed domain on a weak one.

Hyphens, repeated letters and tricky spellings are easy to get wrong when a customer types quickly on a phone. Each mistake is a visitor who lands nowhere or, worse, on a competitor. If your name invites misspelling, trade it for something cleaner.

If people routinely spell your name wrong, pick a domain that's unmistakable.

Your domain is the one address you'll hard-code into business cards, vans, invoices and email. Changing it later is disruptive and can cost you the Google ranking you've built. Choose one you can live with for years, not just this season.

A professional address tells customers you're established — a throwaway one doesn't.

Before you settle on a domain, search for it and check there's no competing business using the same name and no confusing lookalike already trading. A quick Google of your chosen name can save you a confusing, costly misfire.

A quick web search is cheap insurance before you buy.