Choosing a domain name is partly about branding and partly about rules.
Some characters are allowed, some are not and a few are technically possible but not always a good idea. If you are choosing a name for a business website, it helps to understand the difference before you start searching.
Can domain names include spaces?
No. Domain names cannot include spaces.
For example, my business name.co.uk would not be valid as a domain name. You would need to register a version without spaces, such as mybusinessname.co.uk.
This is one reason short, clear names work so well. If a name is easy to say, spell and remember without spaces, it is usually easier for customers to use.
Can domain names include hyphens?
Yes, domain names can include hyphens, but they should be used carefully.
For example, my-business-name.co.uk can be valid, as long as the hyphen is not in a restricted position such as the beginning or end of the domain label.
The bigger question is whether you should use one.
Hyphens can make a domain harder to explain aloud. If someone hears your website address over the phone or in conversation, they may forget the hyphen or put it in the wrong place. They can also make a domain look less clean from a branding point of view.
That does not mean hyphens are always wrong. If the non-hyphenated version is unavailable and the hyphenated version is still clear, it may be a sensible compromise.
Can domain names include dots?
Dots are used to separate parts of a domain name, but they are not used like normal characters inside the name you register.
For example, in example.co.uk, the dots separate example, co and uk.
You cannot usually register a domain such as my.business.co.uk as one single name in the way you might register mybusiness.co.uk. However, once you own a domain, you can often create subdomains such as:
blog.example.co.ukshop.example.co.uksupport.example.co.uk
Subdomains can be useful, but they are normally managed through your hosting or DNS settings after the main domain has been registered.
What about numbers?
Numbers are allowed in domain names and they can work well when they are part of a brand.
The only caution is clarity. If the number can be confused with a word, customers may not know whether to type 4, four or for. That does not make it a bad choice, but it is worth thinking through before you commit.
Keep it easy to remember
The best domain names are usually:
- Short
- Easy to spell
- Easy to say aloud
- Closely linked to the business or brand
- Free from unnecessary punctuation
You may not always get the perfect name, especially if the most obvious version has already been registered. In that case, look for the cleanest memorable alternative rather than forcing in awkward punctuation.
A domain name does not need to explain everything your business does. It simply needs to be a strong, reliable address that customers can remember and trust.