What is a domain name, and when should I buy one?
The short answer
A domain name is the web address people type to find you, like yourbusiness.com. Buy one once you're confident enough in your idea to show it to real people, but not before, since a good idea can still change name along the way.
What a domain name actually is
A domain name is the address people type into a browser to reach your website, like theaistudio.co. You rent it, usually a year at a time, from a domain registrar, and point it at wherever your website or app actually lives.
Why timing matters
Buying a domain too early can lock you into a name before your idea has settled, which sometimes means paying for a domain you no longer want. Buying too late can mean losing the name you wanted to someone else, or looking less credible when you're ready to launch.
- Wait until your idea and name feel reasonably settled
- Buy it once you're getting close to showing real people your product
- Keep it simple, easy to spell and easy to say out loud
- Expect to pay roughly $10 to $20 a year for most domains
It's a small decision, not a big one
A domain name is cheap and easy to change compared to almost everything else in a new business. Don't let picking or buying one become a reason to delay actually building or launching.
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