Recipe: Startup name + domain combo

Lock in a brandable .com before you build anything else.

Step 1 — Generate 50 candidates

Use a short, punchy word plus a modifier. Think Stripe, Linear, Vercel. Avoid hyphens, numbers, and anything over 12 characters. Write them all down — no filtering yet.

Step 2 — Check .com availability

Run every candidate through a bulk WHOIS tool. If the .com is taken, cross it off. Do not settle for .io, .co, or .app unless the .com redirects cleanly.

Step 3 — Social handle check

Verify Twitter/X, Instagram, and GitHub availability for the exact name. Inconsistent handles fragment your brand before day one.

Step 4 — Say it out loud

Read the name to three people over the phone. If they can't spell it back, kill it. The radio test never lies.

Step 5 — Buy immediately

Once you have a winner, register the domain and grab the social handles within the same hour. Domain squatters scrape WHOIS lookups — speed is your only defense.

Pro tip

Park the domain with a simple “Coming soon” page and an email capture form. You'll thank yourself when launch day arrives.