Domain naming guides

.com vs .ai for startups: which one wins in 2026?

.com vs .ai for startups: trust signals, cost, SEO, registration realities, and a clear decision matrix from NameBuddy.ai.

Updated May 11, 2026

.com vs .io: is .io still worth it in 2026?

.com vs .io: developer perception, registration cost, technical reality (it's a ccTLD), and when to pick which for a startup or dev-tool.

Updated May 11, 2026

The best AI domain name generators in 2026

Honest 2026 comparison of AI domain name generators: NameBuddy.ai, Namelix, Brandsnap, Bust A Name, and Domain.com's generator. Quality, speed, price.

Updated May 11, 2026

How to find an available domain name in 2026

Step-by-step guide to finding a free, available domain name. Practical patterns, where to check availability, how to avoid common naming mistakes.

Updated May 11, 2026

Short domain name ideas: patterns that still work in 2026

Short domain name ideas and the naming patterns that still produce available, brandable names. CVC, portmanteaus, single syllables, and more.

Updated May 11, 2026

The 12-point startup name checklist

A practical 12-point checklist for naming a startup: trademark, social handles, pronunciation, international meaning, and more.

Updated May 11, 2026

.com vs .co: which TLD should your business use in 2026?

.com vs .co: trust signals, pricing, real brand examples (about.co, angel.co), SEO impact, and a clear pick for startups and consumer brands.

Updated May 11, 2026

.com vs .net: when .net actually makes sense in 2026

Most brands should default to .com. But .net is a fine fallback when your .com is taken, especially for technical infrastructure brands. Here's the framework.

Updated May 11, 2026

.com vs .app: is .app a good TLD for mobile apps and PWAs?

.com vs .app: Google-operated registry, always-HTTPS requirement, mobile/PWA positioning, real brand examples (web.app, web.dev), and a clear pick.

Updated May 11, 2026

.com vs .dev: is .dev the right TLD for your dev tool?

.com vs .dev: Google's developer-focused TLD with HSTS preload. Best for dev tools, libraries, technical infrastructure. Real examples, pricing, SEO impact.

Updated May 11, 2026

4-letter domain names: every available pattern in 2026

All 4-letter .com domains are gone — but .io, .ai, .app, and .dev still have thousands available. Patterns that work, examples, and how to search.

Updated May 11, 2026

5-letter domain names: the sweet spot for brandable startups

5-letter domains are the modern sweet spot — long enough to be brandable, short enough to be memorable, with much better availability than 4-letter.

Updated May 11, 2026

One-word domain names: how to find one in 2026

One-word dictionary domains are mostly gone. Invented one-word names (Notion, Linear, Vercel) are still findable and brand far better. Patterns and examples.

Updated May 11, 2026

What is a .ai domain? Trustworthy or not in 2026?

A .ai domain is the country-code TLD for Anguilla, now the de facto TLD for AI startups. Stable, legitimate, real-world examples — full explanation.

Updated May 11, 2026

What is a .io domain? And is it still a good choice in 2026?

.io is the country-code TLD for the British Indian Ocean Territory. Long popular with developers — but the 2024 sovereignty handover changed the calculus.

Updated May 11, 2026

What is a TLD? The complete domain-extension guide

A TLD is the part of a domain name after the last dot (.com, .org, .ai). Generic, country-code, and sponsored types — everything you need to know.

Updated May 11, 2026

The best domain registrars in 2026

An opinionated comparison of Cloudflare Registrar, Namecheap, Porkbun, GoDaddy, and others. Pricing, transparency, lock-in tactics — what to avoid.

Updated May 11, 2026

Best TLDs for startups in 2026: a decision matrix

A clear matrix of which TLD to pick by startup stage, industry, and audience. .com, .ai, .io, .app, .co, .net — when each one is the right call.

Updated May 11, 2026