Disclosure: Some tool links are affiliate links. If you sign up, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Find a Domain & Brand Name
Why This Matters
Your domain name is your store's address on the internet. It's the first thing people see, the thing they type into their browser, and a surprisingly important SEO signal.
A great domain is short, memorable, and gives people a hint of what you sell. A bad domain is long, confusing, or requires spelling it out every time you say it aloud.
Don't overthink this — a good-enough name you launch with beats a perfect name you spend three months debating. You can always rebrand later, but you can't get back time spent not selling.
What You'll Do
Brainstorm 10–15 brand name ideas, check domain availability, and register your top choice.
How To Do It
The Naming Checklist: Find a Great Brand Name in Under an Hour
Don't spend weeks on this — a good name you launch with beats a perfect name you agonize over. Here is the process.
1. Brainstorm 15-20 candidates (20 min)
- Combine two short words (e.g., Shopify, Facebook, YouTube)
- Use a word from your niche + a modifier (e.g., GlowKit, FitCrate)
- Try foreign words that sound good in English
- Use Namelix — type your keywords and let AI generate brandable names
- Keep every name to 2 syllables if possible, 3 max
Open a doc and rapid-fire name ideas. Try these techniques:
2. Run each name through the checklist (15 min)
- Short: Under 12 characters is ideal. Fewer characters = easier to type, remember, and fit on packaging.
- Spellable: Say it out loud. If someone heard it on a podcast, could they type it correctly on the first try? If not, cut it.
- .com available: Check on Namecheap or Lean Domain Search. A .com is still the gold standard for trust. If the .com is taken, think twice before settling for alternatives.
- Social handles free: Search your name on Instagram, TikTok, and X. Ideally the exact handle is available on all three. Use namecheckr.com to check multiple platforms at once.
- No trademark conflicts: Do a quick search on USPTO.gov (US) or your country's trademark database. You don't need a lawyer yet — just make sure nobody owns the name in your product category.
For each candidate, check these five boxes:
3. Narrow to your top 3 (5 min)
From the names that pass all five checks, pick your top 3 based on gut feel. Which one looks best as a logo? Which one would you be proud to say out loud?
4. Register immediately (10 min)
Don't sleep on it — good domains get snatched. Register your .com on Namecheap (cheapest option) and grab the matching Instagram and TikTok handles. Total cost: about $10 for the domain.
By the end of this step, you should have:
- A registered .com domain name
- Matching social media handles secured on Instagram, TikTok, and X
- A trademark conflict check confirming no issues in your product category
Recommended Tools
Namecheap
Affordable domain registration with free WHOIS privacy. The go-to for most bootstrapped founders.
Domains from $6/year
Try NamecheapLean Domain Search
Type a keyword and instantly see thousands of available .com domains. Fast and free.
Try Lean Domain SearchNamelix
AI-powered business name generator. Gives you creative, brandable names based on keywords.
Try NamelixPro Tips
- 1Always go for .com if possible. It's still the most trusted and memorable TLD. .co, .shop, and .store are decent alternatives.
- 2Say your domain name out loud. If you have to spell it, it's too complicated.
- 3Check that your brand name is available as a social media handle on Instagram, TikTok, and X before committing.