Domain Hacks for Startups, Micro-SaaS, and Tech Brands — Simple Yet Powerful

Founders often take one of two approaches: Choose a name that clearly indicates what the product does (like “AITutor”). Mix and match words until something sounds right and feels available. The problem? Most good-sounding domain names are already taken — especially if you're trying combinations of real words or even clever abbreviations. This ends up consuming hours (or days), and honestly, it’s a productivity killer. Here's a better way to look at it: If you're following a business-first mindset, remember this: Your domain name has very little to do with your success in the early stages. Take a look at brands like Zomato — there’s no dictionary meaning, no obvious connection to food, and yet it's a strong, global brand today. Why? Because they chose a name that was catchy, easy to remember, and had room to grow. So, what should you focus on when picking a brand/domain name? Here’s what matters: Pronounceability (pass the radio test) Memorability Originality Length (short names win) Tech appeal (if you're in SaaS or tech) If you’re targeting a modern, global audience, abstract brand names with endings like -ra, -to, -lo, -ly, or -vo really stand out — think Zoho, Zepto, Zomato, or Zapier. But how do you actually find a name without spending hours? Yes, you can try ChatGPT, Perplexity, or name generator tools. But the truth is, when you're also trying to check for .com availability, things get frustrating fast. Here's what worked best for me: Go to GoDaddy and use their ‘Start with AI’ domain search. Then give it a very clear, creative prompt like this: "I'm looking for fresh, catchy brand name ideas that sound modern and are easy to say and spell. The name should start with something like 'z', 'ze', 'zo', 'zy', 'zee', or 'zi', be short (under 8 characters), and have a global, techy feel—kind of like Zoho, Zomato, Zepto, or Zapier. Use cool endings like -ra, -to, -ly, etc. Avoid generic or existing brands. The .com domain should be available, affordable, and hyphen-free." Regenerating the results a few times often gets you a winner. When it Comes to Naming Your Startup: A Smarter Approach from Someone Who's Been Through the Process Don’t waste energy where it doesn’t matter early on. Pick a name that meets the basics — short, catchy, and available — then build the brand over time. One of the most effective hacks? Use a strong prompt + GoDaddy AI search and save hours of trial and error. If you're starting up, I’d love to hear your naming process too — share your approach with me or pass this along to a fellow founder who’s stuck in name-land.