What to do when your .com domain name isn’t available (and why it doesn’t matter).

The truth is, nearly all short, one word, sensical .com domains have gone. But if you can’t get the domain name you’re dreaming of, do not panic. There are plenty of clever workarounds.

It is a familiar story. You land on a name for your new business, brand or product, head over to your domain provider, type it in and… oh no. The .com version is taken, and all you are offered is something odd, messy or downright embarrassing.

Back to the drawing board.

Think of another name.

Regroup and reconsider because you absolutely have to have a .com domain, right?

Wrong.

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Here are two things I want you to keep in mind at the same time.

One: Always choose your business or brand name first. Do not let an unavailable .com domain influence that decision. That is what I call letting the tail wag the dog.

Two: There are plenty of ways around not getting your dream .com domain. With a bit of smart thinking, it does not need to derail you.

So let’s rewind. At the naming stage, do things properly. Choose a name that is distinctive, memorable, and easy to say and spell. Something with enough personality to stand apart and enough clarity to be understood. A good brand name is a vessel. It shapes expectation, influences perception and opens the door to interesting visual identity work. Take your time and do not let the lack of a .com domain bully you into choosing something weaker.

Once the name is locked in, yes, most people immediately go hunting for the perfect domain. And yes, you might find that yourbrandname.com is already taken. Do not panic. Here are your best workarounds.

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1) Choose a different Top Level Domain

A Top Level Domain is the bit after the dot. There are many to choose from. Squarespace, for example, has over 300 available and they often make an interesting, modern alternative to .com or .co.uk. Instead of settling for something clunky, you can choose a domain that adds personality, context or clarity to your brand.

Here are a few, grouped by type to help you spot what might suit your brand best:

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Location based

.us

.tokyo

.asia

.world

.africa

.global

.international

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Technology

.tech

.cloud

.app

.dev

.digital

.network

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Competitive

.top

.vip

.pro

.one

.best

.guru

.deals

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News and Trends

.today

.buzz

.wiki

.news

.fyi

.media

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Multi purpose

.site

.click

.online

.website

.link

.business

.earth

.shopping

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Community

.life

.club

.icu

.blog

.bio

.social

.academy

.events

.love

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Market based

.art

.agency

.store

.edu

.finance

.travel

.legal

.clothing

.fashion

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Architects can consider .archi. Clothes brands can look at .fashion or .clothing. Accountants can literally use .accountant. These domains often feel modern, intentional and confident. When paired with a distinctive brand identity, they can create a very strong first impression.

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2) Shorten or abbreviate

If you cannot secure the exact version of your brand name, shorten it. I could not get theidentitybureau.com so I chose theidbureau.com. It is quicker to type and works perfectly well.

Other examples include wwf.org for the World Wildlife Fund and ifttt.com for If This Then That.

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3) Use a hyphen

If your brand name is two words, you might be able to secure the domain by adding a hyphen, such as your-name.com. It is simple, functional and perfectly acceptable.

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4) Add a prefix or suffix

Prefixes like weare, thisis and the are common and can be effective. For example, wearedevelopers.com.

Suffixes are also helpful. yournameuk.com, yournameglobal.com, yournamehq.com and similar options work well and can add useful context.

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5) Use a domain that complements your brand

You do not always have to use your brand name as your domain. Sometimes, a more strategic domain is even stronger.

A good example is Auto Classica. Instead of autoclassicacarstorage.com they switched to carstorage.co.uk. A smart, customer-focused choice that aligns with real search behaviour and instantly communicates what they do.

Other notable examples include B and Q with diy.com and Alphabet with abc.xyz.


A traditional .com domain name might feel familiar, but it is far from the only strong option. Many modern TLDs look sharper, feel more intentional and help position your brand as contemporary rather than conventional. What matters most is choosing a distinctive, well-considered name and pairing it with a domain that feels confident, clear and aligned with the brand you are building.

Put the name first, stay flexible with the domain and pick the option that helps your brand stand out, not blend in.