Domain First Strategy
Book your domain before you write code. Why waiting costs you the perfect name and how to plan ahead.
The Domain Dilemma
You've spent two months building your AI product. It works beautifully. You're ready to launch.
You go to register your perfect domain name: taken.
The .com is parked by a squatter wanting $5,000. The .ai is owned by a competitor. You end up with yourproductname-app.io and hate it.
Every week you delay, there's a chance someone else registers your ideal domain. I've seen people spend $2,000+ buying domains they could have registered for $12.
The Strategy: Domain First, Always
Before writing a single line of code, before designing any UI, before even finalizing your product name—check and register your domain.
Here's why this matters:
- Domains are cheap. $12-15/year for .com. That's nothing compared to your time investment.
- Ideas change, domains don't. You can pivot your product; you can't pivot a taken domain.
- Professional credibility. yourname.com beats yourname-ai-tool.xyz every time.
Which TLD Should You Choose?
.com - Still the gold standard. Always try this first.
.ai - Perfect for AI products. Growing in recognition.
.io - Tech-friendly, widely accepted for tools.
.co - Good alternative, but some users will type .com by mistake.
Cost Planning
Here's what you should budget:
- .com domains: ~$12-15/year
- .ai domains: ~$80-100/year (more expensive, but worth it for AI products)
- .io domains: ~$30-50/year
Register for 2+ years upfront. It's cheaper per year, and you won't risk forgetting to renew. I've seen people lose great domains because they forgot to renew.
Domain first, always. Register before you build. Domains are cheap; regret isn't.
.com is still king. Try for .com first, then .ai for AI products, then .io.
Budget $50-100. For domain + 2-year registration + privacy protection.
Register multiple TLDs. Protect your brand by registering .com, .ai, and .io if available.