Registering a .CONTRACTORS Domain Name Tips

Each and every .CONTRACTORS domain name comes with all you need to get online.

Domain Forwarding and Masking: Direct any domain name you own to your website. Anyone who types that domain name into their browser is taken directly to your website.
Domain Locking: Domain locking prevents accidental or intentional transfers of domain ownership and stops anyone from redirecting your nameservers.
Total DNS Control: Manage your domain nameserver (DNS) records and set your email, FTP, sub-domains and website location all from one control panel.
Change of Registration: Assign your domain name to someone else or change the contacts for your domain online anytime.
Status Alerts: Monitor the status of your domain and get instant alerts if there’s been a change.
Auto Renew Protection: No need to watch expiration dates to make sure you renew on time! Auto renew keeps your domains, hosting, website builders, and other products in your name and under your control.
Free WHOIS privacy protection: We redact your name, address, phone number and email from our WHOIS directory.

Registering a .CONTRACTORS domain name is an important step in establishing your online presence, especially if you’re in the contracting industry. To ensure you choose the best possible domain name and avoid common pitfalls, here are some tips to guide you through the process:

1. Keep It Short and Memorable

Why : A short, memorable domain name is easier for clients to remember and type into their browsers.
Tip : Aim for a domain name that’s concise and easy to spell. Avoid long, complicated words or phrases that might confuse users.
- Good Example : smith.contractors
- Bad Example : johnsmithplumbingandcontractingservices.contractors

2. Use Keywords Relevant to Your Services

Why : Including relevant keywords in your domain name can improve SEO and make it clear what services you offer.
Tip : Incorporate keywords like “plumbing,” “roofing,” “construction,” or your location (e.g., “austin.contractors”) to help potential clients immediately understand your specialization.
- Good Example : plumbing.contractors or roofingaustin.contractors
- Bad Example : bestservices.contractors (too vague)

3. Avoid Numbers and Hyphens

Why : Numbers and hyphens can make your domain name harder to remember and more prone to typos.
Tip : Stick to letters only. If you must use numbers, spell them out (e.g., “five” instead of “5”).
- Good Example : fivestar.contractors
- Bad Example : five-star.contractors or contractors4u.contractors

4. Check Domain Availability Early

Why : Many desirable domain names may already be taken, especially in popular industries like contracting.
Tip : Use a domain registrar’s search tool to check availability as soon as you have a few ideas. If your first choice is taken, consider slight variations or adding a keyword (e.g., “bestplumbing.contractors”).
- Good Example : If plumbing.contractors is taken, try plumbingpros.contractors or plumbingexperts.contractors.

5. Consider Local SEO with Geographic Keywords

Why : If you serve a specific geographic area, including your city, state, or region in your domain name can boost local SEO and attract nearby clients.
Tip : Combine your service with a location keyword (e.g., “miami.contractors” or “dallasroofing.contractors”).
- Good Example : austin.contractors or sanfrancisco.contractors
- Bad Example : contractorsforall.contractors (too generic, no local focus)

6. Avoid Trademark Infringement

Why : Using a domain name that infringes on someone else’s trademark can lead to legal issues down the road.
Tip : Before registering, conduct a quick trademark search to ensure your desired domain name doesn’t violate any existing trademarks. You can use tools like the USPTO Trademark Search or consult a legal professional.
- Good Example : Ensure smith.contractors doesn’t conflict with an existing business named “Smith Contracting.”
- Bad Example : Registering johnson.contractors if there’s already a well-known Johnson Contractors in your area.

7. Think Long-Term

Why : Your domain name should reflect your business’s future growth and not limit you to a specific niche or service.
Tip : Choose a domain name that allows for scalability. For example, if you’re currently offering plumbing services but plan to expand into general contracting, avoid overly specific names like plumbingonly.contractors.
- Good Example : smithcontractors.contractors (flexible for future expansion)
- Bad Example : plumbingonly.contractors (limits future growth)

8. Secure Multiple Domain Extensions

Why : Protecting your brand is crucial. If you register smith.contractors, consider also securing smith.com, smith.net, or other relevant extensions to prevent competitors from using similar domains.
Tip : Redirect all additional domains to your primary .CONTRACTORS site to consolidate traffic and protect your brand.
- Good Example : Own both smith.contractors and smith.com, redirecting the latter to the former.
- Bad Example : Only owning smith.contractors and leaving smith.com available for others to purchase.

9. Enable Domain Privacy Protection

Why : By default, your contact information (name, address, phone number, email) is publicly available in the WHOIS database when you register a domain. This can lead to spam or unwanted solicitations.
Tip : Enable domain privacy protection (often offered by registrars for a small fee) to keep your personal information private.
- Good Example : Use domain privacy to hide your personal details from public WHOIS records.
- Bad Example : Leave your personal information exposed, leading to spam calls and emails.

10. Plan for Renewal

Why : Domain names need to be renewed annually or every few years, depending on the registration period. Forgetting to renew can result in losing your domain.
Tip : Set up automatic renewal with your registrar to avoid accidental expiration. Also, keep track of renewal dates and ensure your payment information is up to date.
- Good Example : Enable auto-renewal for smith.contractors to avoid lapses.
- Bad Example : Forget to renew and lose the domain to someone else.

11. Test Your Domain Name

Why : Before finalizing your domain name, test how it looks and sounds when spoken or typed.
Tip : Say the domain name out loud to see if it’s easy to pronounce. Test typing it into a browser to ensure there are no confusing elements (e.g., easily mistyped characters).
- Good Example : plumbing.contractors is easy to say and type.
- Bad Example : plumbng.contractors (missing the “i” could lead to confusion).

12. Consider Mobile-Friendly Names

Why : Many users will access your website via mobile devices, so your domain name should be easy to type on a small keyboard.
Tip : Avoid complex spellings or lengthy names that are difficult to type on mobile devices.
- Good Example : roofing.contractors
- Bad Example : rooferprofessionalservices.contractors

13. Avoid Trendy or Overused Words

Why : Trendy words or phrases may become outdated quickly, making your domain name less relevant over time.
Tip : Stick to timeless, descriptive terms that clearly communicate your services.
- Good Example : construction.contractors
- Bad Example : coolcontractors.contractors (trendy but not descriptive)

14. Check Social Media Availability

Why : Consistency across your domain name and social media handles helps build a cohesive brand identity.
Tip : Before finalizing your domain name, check if the corresponding social media usernames (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) are available. If they’re not, consider tweaking your domain name slightly to match.
- Good Example : If your domain is smith.contractors, ensure you can use @smithcontractors on social media.
- Bad Example : Having smith.contractors but being forced to use @smithcontractorsservices on social media due to unavailability.

Conclusion

Choosing and registering a .CONTRACTORS domain name requires careful consideration of factors like memorability, relevance, and long-term usability. By following these tips, you can secure a domain name that effectively represents your contracting business, attracts the right audience, and supports your online growth.

Remember, your domain name is often the first impression potential clients have of your business, so take the time to get it.