search icon

Business Domain vs. Business Name: Should They Match?

If you’re trying to figure out the differences between a business and domain name, then you’ll find your answers here.

The first step to building an online presence is starting your business.

Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes

Excellent 4.8 out of 5 stars 19,562 reviews

A common question that new entrepreneurs ask is, “Do your domain name and business name have to match?”

If you’re asking this question, good on you for thinking ahead and doing your research. A lot of small business owners charge ahead without addressing this question, and it can cause hiccups down the road.

The answer: your business name and domain don’t need to match. The primary difference between business and domain names is that a business name is used for identification, branding and legal purposes, whereas a domain name is a digital website address. There’s no legal requirement that they have to match (only practical ones).

In this article, we’ll answer all of your questions about business and domain names, when they should and should not match, and some practical examples. We’ll also include some top tips on how to get a good name for your website when your preferred business name website is unavailable.

Does my domain name have to match my company name?

Your domain and company names do not need to match because your company’s business and domain names have distinctly different functions. The domain name system (DNS) is a naming database that stores domain records, including both top-level domains (TLD) and second-level domains (SLD), and helps in locating web pages and content online.

For example, the online web address www.MyCompanyOnline.com would be the website where people go to access the site for a company that has the legally registered business name My Company LLC (or INC).

But should your domain name be the same as your business name?

When it comes down to choosing an online name for your brand there are many things you need to consider. One of them is whether your company name should be the same as your website name.

So, does your company name really need to be in your domain name?

The short answer? It depends. But here are a few different scenarios that might influence that choice:

  • Yes, it should match if it will help people to find you when they’re looking for your company.
  • Yes, it should match since you want your domain to be representative of your company name when possible.
  • No, it shouldn’t match if you want to stand out from the crowd.
  • No, it shouldn’t match if your business name is tricky to say or spell. You want a short and memorable site name that’s easy to spell without making mistakes.
  • No, it shouldn’t match if the matching name isn’t available or costs too much to acquire.

Keep reading to learn how to select the perfect domain name for your new business. But before we do that, let’s review some of the basics.

What is a domain name for a business?

A domain name, also known as a Web site address, is the URL under which a particular website is accessible to Internet visitors.

Examples of domain names that include the organization names include www.Apple.com for Apple products and www.RedCross.org for the American Red Cross.

Examples that do not include the organization’s name are www.Equality.com for Salesforce and Insider.com for Business Insider. 

There is another type of website address that can specify a site’s geographical location on the Web. For example, www.yoursite.com would be based in America whereas www.yoursite.uk would be registered in the United Kingdom.

In short, a domain for a business is simply a website address.

What is a business name for a company?

Your business name, sometimes referred to as your company name, is your legally registered identifier for government purposes of taxation and law enforcement. If you have set up an LLC, or INC the name you used to register your paperwork is considered your business name.

If, however, you have chosen to be a sole proprietor, then your “business name” is the same as your personal legal name. This only changes if you opt to use a DBA (doing business as) name as your company’s nickname instead.

Either way, your legal business name is the name you must use on legal contracts and business agreements. It could also be the name you use on your business cards, store signs, and brochures. However, your business name does not necessarily need to be used as your brand name. The next section will discuss the differences between business names and brand names in which is best for your startup.

Important Differences Between Brand Names and Business Names

Here are a few vital facts to keep in mind when comparing a business name and a brand name.

A business name:

  • Is the legal form of the company.
  • Must have at least one word in it, and it can’t just be a number or symbol.
  • It must be unique within the state where it’s registered. it also needs to be unique from registered trademarks.
  • Has a character limit (usually 80 characters for an LLC and 40 for a corporation, including the designator “LLC” or “Inc”).

Meanwhile, a brand name:

  • represents what a company sells: products or services
  • is what customers think of when they hear the business’ name.
  • can’t infringe on protected trademarks.

So in a way, a brand name is a bit more abstract than the business name.

Take, for example, the Coke brand. The word “Coke” is its brand name: the name that recognizes its flagship product, Coca-Cola, while still encompassing its other products and services. But its actual company name is “The Coca-Cola Company.” So the brand name is very similar to the company name, but they’re not exactly the same.

Differences Between Business Name and Domain Name

Name TypeExampleUses
Business NameBob’s Big CompanyLegal
Tax
Branding
Logo
Trademark
Domain NameBobBigCompany.comBranding
Trademark
Website
Social Media

Importance of Matching a Company Name to a Domain Name

In the past, matching names were important. But as the internet has grown, it’s become less important to have your business name match your domain URL. Even big brands like Johnson & Johnson use Baby.com as their name.

In fact, in many cases, it is better to NOT match the two names. Read on to learn about when to match or not match your business and domain names.

When Your Business Name and Domain Name SHOULD Match

Your business name and website domain name should match as closely as possible if:

  • Your site promotes your company as a whole, not just a specific product or brand.
  • Your company has strong name recognition in your marketplace.
  • Your business is named after yourself and you have a good reputation in your industry.

When Your Business Name and Domain Name SHOULD NOT Match

Here are some situations where matching your domain name and business name are not recommended.

  • Your company name is long or contains foreign words.
  • Your company name is difficult to remember, spell, and pronounce.
  • Your business name is easily confused with other companies.
  • Your business is built around a brand name that is different than your legal company name.
  • You want to promote specific products or market topics keywords.

While we’re talking about the subject, keep in mind that it is possible to change your domain name on an existing site if you need to. So if your name does match and you don’t want it to (or vice versa), you may be able to change it.

Related: Does my LLC name need to match my business name?

Company Name to Business Domain Name

So far, we’ve learned the distinction between a business domain name and a company’s legal name. We’ve also learned that they can be the same or different; there aren’t strict rules to live by.

Now, let’s explore how to transform your company name into a great business domain name.

Business Domain Name Examples

Using fictitious company names, here are examples to illustrate the various methods you can use to turn your company name into a web domain name.

Company NameDomain NameStrategy
Sweet Sally BakerySweetSally.comSHORTEN
Remove the word “bakery” to create a shorter, more memorable domain name
Bob BuildsBobBuildsTX.comLOCATION
Add your locale (State, City, or Country) for better local SEO rankings resulting in more clicks and sales – a good strategy if your preferred domain name is not available.
ABC Commercial MaintenanceMeanClean.comPRODUCT SERVICE FOCUS
Changing your domain name to one that communicates your company’s offerings, instead of your legal business name, ensures that customers will remember your web address.
Ted’s Tax Preparation & PlanningTedDoesTaxes.comUNIQUE
Replacing words to make a phrase (funny or meaningful) is an excellent way to turn a boring business name into an interesting web name.
Hair Today SalonHairToday.SalonDOMAIN EXTENSIONS
Consider alternate domain extensions if .COM is not available. There are lots of good alternatives including, NET, SITE, SALON, etc

Which to Decide First: Business Name or Domain Address?

Naming a new business is hard enough without having to decide and register a domain also! Here are a few considerations to make when you’re nailing down these names:

  • If you sell Business to Consumer (B2C), decide on your domain name first because there is a lot of online competition and you want to stand out in search engine results.
  • If your company is brick and mortar, decide on your company name first. Domain options for restaurants and services are adding your geographic location into your URL but not your company name. An example is Vito’s Pizzeria (company name) and VitoPizzeriaNYC.com (domain).
  • If your business is online-based, first decide on your domain name since that will be the name your customers will associate with your brand.

What to Do If Your Business Matching Domain Name Is Unavailable

Help! My business domain name is taken? What should I do?

These days it is hard to find a matching domain web name to your firm’s name because over 250 million domain site names are already registered! No worries. Here are some great tips on how to get an awesome domain name below:

  1. Decide on essential words: Pick one or two keywords that you must have in your domain, such as your name, profession, or brand.
  2. Add key words: Add words to your essential words determined above. Did you know that Tesla could not get the matching domain name Tesla.com since it was already taken? Rather than trying to buy out the original domain, they added a logical brand extension word, “motors,” to make their current domain, TeslaMotors.com.
  3. Use name generators: A domain name generator can provide instant suggestions and check for availability, helping you align the domain name with your brand’s identity. If you use a name generator, be sure to check that the names are actually available (these tools aren’t infallible).
  4. Consider different domain extensions: If your desired name with a .COM is not available, see if by changing the three-letter extension you have better luck. Try .net, .info, .site, .online. since these are internet-themed and not specific to any industry (such as .fit and .coach) Avoid some of the trendy extensions that could quickly go out style like .moda.
  5. Tag on your location: One of the easiest and best ways to get your matching domain is to add your town, region or state to your name. An example: SharpNails.com is not available, however, SharpNailsNYC.com is available.
  6. Try memorable slang: Instead of attempting to match your company name, go in an entirely different direction toward slang. If you make the best apple pie in your bakery, which is named Mom’s Kitchen, how about naming your website momsapplepie.com?

More About Domain Extensions (TLDs)

Domain extensions, also known as top-level domains (TLDs), are the suffixes at the end of a domain name. They play a crucial role in identifying the type of website, its location, or its purpose. Choosing the right domain extension can significantly impact your business’s online presence and credibility.

Popular Domain Extensions (e.g., .com, .net, .io)

Popular extensions like .com and .net are widely considered the “go-to” extensions; odds are, people will assume that your website ends in .com. That’s why most people opt for one of these extensions. Because of their popularity, these domains are more likely to be already taken compared to others.

Niche-Specific Domain Extensions

Niche-specific domain extensions are designed for specific industries or communities. These TLDs can help businesses establish their brand identity and connect with their target audience. Examples of niche-specific domain extensions include:

  • .tech (technology): Perfect for tech companies and startups.
  • .store (e-commerce): Ideal for online retailers and e-commerce businesses.
  • .design (design and creativity): Great for designers, artists, and creative professionals.
  • .food (food and beverage): Suitable for restaurants, food bloggers, and culinary businesses.
  • .travel (travel and tourism): Tailored for travel agencies, tour operators, and travel bloggers.
  • .gov (government): Reserved for government-run sites, like IRS.gov and state-level websites.

Using a niche-specific domain extension can help businesses stand out and establish their authority in their industry.

Country-Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)

Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are specific to a particular country or region. These TLDs can help businesses target a specific geographic audience and establish their local presence. Examples of ccTLDs include:

  • .us (United States)
  • .uk (United Kingdom)
  • .au (Australia)
  • .ca (Canada)
  • .de (Germany)

Using a ccTLD can help businesses target a specific region and establish their local credibility.

Knowing the differences between these different codes can help you choose the right one for your business.

Conclusion

In the end, whether your business name and domain name should match depends on your goals, branding strategy, and what’s available. While a matching domain can help with brand recognition and searchability, there are plenty of effective ways to create a strong online presence even if an exact match isn’t possible. By considering factors like memorability, simplicity, and relevance, you can choose a domain name that supports your business while making it easy for customers to find you online.

Business Name and Domain Name FAQs

Should I include my domain name in my business name?

If your business is internet-based, go ahead and use your full domain name as your business name, such as Amazon.com.

But if your company is service-based or brick and mortar, usually adding your domain extension (.com, .net, etc) will only confuse customers and dilute your branding.

What is the best type of domain name for a new business to use?

The best domain type for a new company is a short and memorable one that communicates about the firm’s products or services with their headquarter country domain extension. An example: a baker called Sweet Sally Bakery located in Austin, Texas could use www.SweetSally.com.

Do I need to include LLC in my domain name?

You do not need to include LLC in your domain if your firm is set up as an LLC. It is not legally required, in most states, and will add length (a big negative) onto your domain name URL.

Using LLC in your business name is typically only required when signing legal contracts such as leases, orders, or loans.

Can a domain name be different from your legal business name?

Yes, in fact, most legal business names are different from the firm’s domain name.

This is due, partly, to the three letters after the domain (called the extension) .com, .net, .org, etc which are not typically part of a legal business name.

For example, for a photo studio, Studio West Photos might be the legal business name, while StudioWestPhotos.com would be the domain website name.

Should my domain name be my personal name?

People who are well known, or plan to be famous, should choose this option. However, if you have an unusual name that is difficult to spell and remember it is a bad idea to use your personal name for your business’s domain address.

Know that your name may not be unique to you alone! It’s highly likely that somewhere else in the world of 8 billion people, there’s a person with your name.

Plus your name may change after marriage or divorce. Plus, using your personal name as a business name and domain name limits both your branding options and ability to sell your firm in the future.

You should take into consideration if branding yourself through your name will actually work for you because there are benefits and disadvantages both ways.

Related Posts

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.

Related Articles

Website Domain Registration

by Team ZenBusiness, on January 29, 2025

LLC Name vs Business Name: Does It Have to Match?

Team ZenBusiness, on November 21, 2024

What Is a Business Name?

by Team ZenBusiness, on January 29, 2025

How to Combine Two Real Names to Create a Business Name

by Team ZenBusiness, on January 31, 2025

The Art Of Naming Your Business

by Team ZenBusiness, on January 20, 2025

Business Name Checker

by Team ZenBusiness, on January 31, 2025

Start your LLC