If you’re trying to figure out the differences between a business and domain name, then you’ll find your answers here.
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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.
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).
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:
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.
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.
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.
Here are a few vital facts to keep in mind when comparing a business name and a brand name.
A business name:
Meanwhile, a brand name:
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.
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.
Your business name and website domain name should match as closely as possible if:
Here are some situations where matching your domain name and business name are not recommended.
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?
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.
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.
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:
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:
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 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 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:
Using a niche-specific domain extension can help businesses stand out and establish their authority in their industry.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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