Domain name for startups: the complete 2025 guide
Everything about domain names for startups: .com vs alternatives, acquisition techniques, prices and expert strategies to secure the right domain.
Posted by
Viggo BoulangerRelated reading
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The critical importance of domain names
Your domain name is your address on the internet. It's often the first interaction your customers will have with your brand. A bad choice can be costly.
1. .com remains king
Despite the explosion of new extensions, .com still represents 75% of global web traffic. Users automatically type .com after a brand name.
- ✅ More credibility and trust
- ✅ Better for SEO
- ✅ Easier to remember
- ✅ Higher resale value
2. Viable alternatives to .com
If .com is not available, here are the best alternatives:
- .io: popular in tech (GitHub.io, Notion.so)
- .co: short and modern (Angel.co, About.co)
- .ai: perfect for AI (OpenAI.com, Replicate.ai)
- .app: ideal for applications
3. Acquisition strategies
Option 1: Slightly modify your name (add "app", "io", "ly", etc.)
Option 2: Negotiate with the current owner (budget 1k-50k€)
Option 3: Use a professional buyback service