You’ve invested in your website, advertising, branding — but potential clients can’t find your site simply because the domain name is too complicated, confusing, or resembles an existing brand. In today’s digital landscape, a domain name is much more than a technical address. It’s a first impression, a gateway to your business, and a vital trust signal.
In this article, we’ll cover the 5 most common mistakes when choosing a domain name, each of which can result in lost traffic, trust, and customers — and how to avoid them.
1. A domain name that’s too long or too complicated
Mistake:
In an attempt to make the domain descriptive, some business owners register names like:
best-web-development-studio-in-ukraine-2024.com.ua
Such names are difficult to read, hard to remember, and nearly impossible to type without errors. Dictating them over the phone? Even harder.
Solution:
- Aim for names with no more than 15 characters, if possible;
- Choose domain names that are simple, clear, and easy to pronounce and type;
- Avoid complex English words if your audience is local or non-English speaking.
According to Nielsen Norman Group, short and clean domain names are easier to recall and earn more user trust.
2. Using hyphens, numbers, or dates
Mistake:
A domain like super-site-2024.biz.ua might look creative, but in reality:
- hyphens make it harder to type, especially on mobile;
- numbers are ambiguous — is it “2” or “two”?;
- and dates like “2024” become outdated quickly.
Such domains often appear temporary, less trustworthy, or less professional.
Solution:
- Avoid hyphens and numbers unless they are absolutely necessary;
- If you use a year or number, register a version without it as well;
- Consider securing both versions (with and without hyphens) and redirecting one to the other.
With RX-NAME.UA, you can register multiple domains and manage them from a single control panel.
3. Imitating existing brands
Mistake:
Some people register domain names that mimic well-known companies:
faceb00k.ua, amaz0n-shop.com, n1ke-store.net
This is not only unethical, but also:
- violates trademark rights;
- can lead to domain suspension or legal action;
- undermines user and search engine trust.
Solution:
- Never use names that resemble trademarks or famous brands, even with modified letters;
- Build a unique and original brand identity;
- If you own a registered trademark in Ukraine, you can apply for a .ua domain that requires TM confirmation.
For more information, visit the domain registration page.
4. Choosing an unclear or obscure domain extension
Mistake:
Domain zones like .space, .online, .tech, or .club may seem modern, but in practice:
- many users don’t recognize them as real domain names;
- some email providers and spam filters flag them as suspicious;
- they are harder to remember and raise concerns about trustworthiness;
- local audiences are used to traditional domains like .ua, .com.ua, or .org.ua.
Solution:
- If your target audience is in Ukraine or locally based, stick with trusted zones like .ua, .com.ua, or .biz.ua;
- For global projects, consider .com, .net, or .io;
- Use exotic domain extensions as secondary addresses, such as for landing pages or campaign sites — not as your primary domain.
On RX-NAME.UA, you can compare domain zones, their cost, and usage recommendations before making a choice.
5. Ignoring legal and technical safeguards
Mistake:
- Domain is registered under a third party (like a contractor or agency);
- Recovery email is outdated or inaccessible;
- Website operates without an SSL certificate, and browsers flag it as “Not Secure.”
In case of a dispute or technical issue, you may lose control of your domain — and restoring it may be difficult or impossible.
Solution:
- Always register your domain under the actual business owner — individual or legal entity;
- Enable an SSL certificate immediately after launching your site;
- Use a dedicated email address for domain management and enable two-factor authentication for added security.
If your site runs on a VPS server, make sure your DNS records are protected and backups are scheduled regularly.
Conclusion
A domain name is not just a technical asset — it’s the foundation of your online identity. Mistakes at the registration stage can cost you traffic, trust, and revenue.
Checklist for a successful domain name:
- Short, clear, and easy to remember;
- Free of confusing numbers and unnecessary symbols;
- Not similar to existing brands;
- Uses a well-known and trustworthy domain extension;
- Registered to the correct owner and protected by proper technical measures.
With RX-NAME.UA, you can not only register a domain but also get expert advice, connect SSL, set up VPS hosting, or rent a server — all in one place with 24/7 support.
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