63% of UK startups choose business name without checking domain availability first. Result: Compromised brand or expensive domain purchase (£500-5,000 buyback).
Why Name and Domain Must Align
Business name: "Acme Solutions Ltd". Domain unavailable: AcmeSolutions.co.uk taken. Options: Buy premium domain (£2,000+), alternative name (confusing), different domain (AcmeBusinessSolutions.co.uk - too long).
The Simultaneous Check Method
Don't finalize business name until domain checked. Process: 1) Brainstorm 10-15 names, 2) Check all for domain+trademark availability, 3) Pick from available options, 4) Register domain immediately, 5) File Companies House.
Why Domain First
Companies House approval: 3-7 days. Domain registration: instant. Check domain availability first (5 minutes). If available, register before someone else does. Then file company formation.
Companies House vs Domain Rules
Companies House allows: "Acme Solutions Limited". Domain requires: AcmeSolutions.co.uk (no spaces, no "Limited"). Plan for this difference. Test domain version first.
Common mistake: Register "Acme & Partners Ltd" at Companies House. Domain "Acme&Partners.co.uk" unavailable (& symbol not allowed). Need "AcmePartners.co.uk" or "AcmeAndPartners.co.uk".
Trademark Coordination
Check UK IPO trademark database before finalizing. Name available at Companies House + domain available ≠ trademark clear. Need all three for complete brand protection.
Funding and Domain Value
Investors notice mismatched branding. "CloudTech Ltd" operating on "CloudTechUK.co.uk" (because CloudTech.co.uk taken) signals poor planning. Investors question: What else did founders overlook?
Budget Allocation
Startup budget £10,000. Domain allocation: £10-50 (standard registration) or £500-2,000 (premium if perfect match critical). Don't spend £5,000 on premium domain pre-revenue. Pick different name instead.
Premium Domain Math
Premium domain £3,000. Customer acquisition cost £50. Need 60 customers to break even on domain vs free alternative. Early-stage: Avoid premium. Growth-stage: Consider if brand equity justifies.
Social Handle Availability
Check Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn for @YourBrandName. If unavailable, affects omnichannel branding. Ideal: Matching domain + social handles. Acceptable: Close variations.
Brand consistency hierarchy: 1) Domain exact match (critical), 2) Instagram handle (important for B2C), 3) Twitter/LinkedIn (important for B2B), 4) Facebook page (flexible - can use full name).
Industry-Specific Naming
SaaS startup: Brandable name ("Slack", "Stripe") > Descriptive ("CloudStorage"). Professional services: Descriptive acceptable ("LondonLegal", "TaxAdvisorsUK"). Match naming style to industry norms.
Founder Name vs Brand Name
"Smith Consulting Ltd" - founder-centric, hard to sell later. "TechVision Ltd" - brand-centric, easier exit. Founder name works for: Personal brands, consulting, law firms. Brand name for: Product companies, SaaS, retail.
Testing Name Before Registration
Say name to 10 people. Ask them to spell it. If 3+ get it wrong, too complex. Test: Phone clarity (radio test), spelling accuracy, pronunciation consistency, cultural sensitivity.
Legal Entity Suffix Strategy
Limited, Ltd, LTD - all acceptable at Companies House. Domain: Drop suffix entirely. "Acme Solutions Limited" → AcmeSolutions.co.uk. Never: AcmeSolutionsLimited.co.uk (too long).
Trademark Lens checks business name across Companies House, trademarks, and 15 domain extensions simultaneously - ensure complete availability before committing to startup name.