You did it. You pushed past the doubt and landed on a niche you’re genuinely excited to explore. Take a moment to appreciate that — it’s a huge achievement and the true starting point of your business.
The next step is to give that brilliant idea a home online. And that starts with choosing your domain name.
This is often the moment things feel real. And with that feeling, the pressure to find the “perfect” name can bring that old perfectionism creeping back. Didn’t we just agree in the first article that it’s okay to “start messy”? How does that square with a decision that feels so permanent?
Here’s the secret: think of your domain name not as a forever tattoo, but as the foundation stone for your business experiment. It’s the first tangible step that makes your business real, and you can lay it with confidence.
Real-World Example: Choosing a Domain Name for a Gardening Niche
To see how this works in practice, let’s follow along with a (fictitious) fellow beginner, “Gardener Grace.” She just settled on her passion for sustainable gardening for city dwellers. Now she’s ready to find a home for her new idea.
A Quick Note About the Solo Build It! Action Guide
As you follow along with Grace, remember that these articles are designed to give you a friendly boost to get you over those first few hurdles of settling on a niche with confidence.
As an SBI! member, you’d have access to the Action Guide as your complete roadmap. It goes much deeper into brainstorming, keyword research and validating your niche before choosing a domain name. We recommend you follow that process when you’re ready.
Our goal here is to help you build the momentum and mindset to tackle those steps without getting stuck. This series is your companion, not a replacement for the powerful tools and in-depth strategy waiting for you in the Action Guide.
What Makes a Domain Name “Great,” Anyway?
Before Grace brainstorms, she needs a clear target. A great domain name isn’t just a web address, it’s a strategic asset for your business. The best domain names are:
Easy to Remember and Spell – If you have to explain it twice, it’s too complicated. Avoid hyphens and numbers — people forget them.
Brandable – The best names should sound like a real brand, not a generic description. Compare PawsitivePath.com to BestDogTrainingOnline.com. Which one feels more memorable?
Relevant (but not restrictive) – Your domain name should hint at what you do while leaving room to grow. Grace’s idea of BalconyHerbs.com works — but what if she expands into rooftop gardening? That name could feel limiting. A name that captures the spirit of her niche gives her more room to grow.
Voice Search Friendly – Aim to use short (ideally 6–14 characters) and clear names that are relatively easy to pronounce for people, and for AI to understand when voice search is used.
A .com Domain Extension – For a global audience, .com is still the most recognized and trusted extension. However, if your business will primarily serve customers in the United Kingdom, for example, a country-specific domain name ending in .co.uk is an excellent, trusted alternative.
What to avoid – Trademarked names, confusing spellings and slang that may not age well.
Three Paths to Finding Your Perfect Domain Name
If you’re stuck, most great domain names follow one of these three paths:
| Path | Example | Best For | Watch Out For |
| Brandable | Sproutjoy.com | Long-term branding | May lack instant clarity |
| Clear and Direct | CityGardeningGuide.com | Beginners, SEO clarity | Less unique |
| Keyword-Rich | SustainableUrbanGardening.com | Search intent match | Generic, hard to brand |
Grace’s Take on Each Path
- Brandable – She could register a unique name like VerdantDwelling.com or Sproutjoy.com. Each feels flexible (for expanding on) and future-proof.
- Clear and Direct – She could register a name like CityGardeningGuide.com which is instantly understandable.
- Keyword-Rich (Use with caution!) – The SustainableUrbanGardening.com name tells search engines exactly what it’s about but feels generic and harder to remember. For her long-term vision, a brandable name would be stronger.
Your 5-Step Action Plan to Find and Register Your Domain Name
Let’s walk through the exact process Gardener Grace followed.
Step 1: Brainstorm “Word Banks”
Grace creates lists of words around her niche
Core Niche Words – urban, city, garden, balcony, patio, plants, green, rooftop
Target Audience – beginner, renter, dweller, small space
Benefits/Outcomes – thriving, simple, peaceful, fresh, harvest, easy
Descriptive Adjectives – happy, vertical, smart, modern, little
Action Verbs – grow, nurture, sprout, design, thrive
* To create your own word banks, use a keyword research tool (like SBI!s Brainstorm It!, Ubersuggest or Ahrefs) to check actual search demand.
Step 2: Create Combinations With Proven Patterns
Now for the fun part! Grace mixes and matches words to spark creative combinations.
Step 3: Check Availability
Grace then runs her favorites through a domain name checker (like Namechk or Knowem).
UrbanGarden.com and CityGardener.com are already taken. That’s perfectly normal! She isn’t discouraged because she has a long list of other creative options to check.
Step 4: Run the Final Checks
Grace narrows it down to three domains: CitySprouts.com, TheGreenRenter.com, PatioHarvest.com. Then she asks:
- Is it easy to spell?
- Is it free of trademarks?
- Does it work across cultures?
- Are matching social media handles available?
Step 5: Register It!
The winner is clear. Grace registers CitySprouts.com with confidence. She’s done the work, trusted the process, and now owns her own first piece of digital real estate.
She’s laid the foundation stone. Now the real fun of building can begin!
Ready to Make It Official?
You’ve done the work. You’ve brainstormed, tested and evaluated your options. Just like Gardener Grace, you’ve found a domain name that feels right and passes the final checks. That’s a huge milestone!
The next step is simple but exciting: officially register your domain. You can do this with trusted providers or within Solo Build It! (included).
Want step-by-step help? DAY 5 of the Action Guide walks you through the full process with detailed instructions.
Make it happen.
FAQs About Choosing a Domain Name
Q: What if the domain name I want is already taken?
A: Don’t panic. Try variations (adding “the,” plural forms or brandable twists). You can also check if the domain name is for sale. But avoid awkward spellings. Clarity is more important.
Q: Should I use .net, .org, or .co if .com is taken?
A .com is still the gold standard. If your audience is specific (e.g., nonprofit = .org, UK = .co.uk, tech startup = .io), those can work. Just make sure it fits your brand
Q: Can I change my domain name later?
A: Yes, but it’s best to avoid it. Changing domain names can affect branding, links and search rankings. Choose wisely now and you’ll save yourself headaches later.
What’s Next?
This was Part 2 of our 4-part series on choosing your niche and turning it into an online business.
- Part 1: How to Test Business Niche Ideas… Until One Fits
- Part 2: Choose the Perfect Domain Name for Your Online Business (You’re here!)
Coming Soon
- Part 3: Building Your First Website Around Your Domain Name
- Part 4: Laying the Foundations for Long-Term Growth
Stay tuned for the next article, where w’ll walk through how to build your website around your new domain name.
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Carol Leather
Latest posts by Carol Leather (see all)
- How to Choose the Perfect Domain Name for Your Online Business (Part #2 of 4) - September 18, 2025
- How to Test Business Niche Ideas… Until One Fits (Part #1 of 4) - September 4, 2025
- The TALKING Method: A Dog Lover’s Guide to Website Monetization - June 19, 2025
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