Naming GTM Defensives

AI Startup Domain Strategy (2025)

A fast, defensible path to launch: pick a name, choose extensions, secure defensives, and avoid legal or DNS mistakes that slow fundraising and sales.

Choosing the right domain pattern

When to go .com

  • Fundraising or enterprise sales is key (trust + email deliverability).
  • Your name is short and brandable (e.g., syntho.com, voxel.com).
  • You want room to expand beyond “AI” as positioning evolves.

When to use AI-friendly extensions

  • .ai, .io, .dev work if you need availability, or want a tech-forward signal.
  • Secure the matching .com or a short redirect (even parked) to future-proof.
  • Avoid long two-word combos; keep it 6-12 characters if possible.

Defensive playbook (ship without rebrands)

Day 1

  • Register primary domain + close alt spellings.
  • Enable registry lock, DNSSEC, and transfer lock.
  • Publish SPF/DKIM; start DMARC at p=none.

Week 1

  • Secure ccTLDs for priority markets (.de/.fr/.uk).
  • Buy typo defensives for ads and email safety.
  • Set up branded link shortener on a short domain.

Month 1

  • Check trademark conflicts; file where appropriate.
  • Lock social handles; align favicon/OG/Twitter Card.
  • Plan migration budget to upgrade to premium .com if not secured yet.

Messaging: avoid the AI trap

Do

  • Lead with problem + outcome, not the model (“Cut KYC time by 60%”).
  • Use domain to signal category, not the tech (e.g., verify.ai, risklayer.com).
  • Add trust pages early: security, compliance, uptime.

Don’t

  • Ship on long hyphenated domains—hurts recall and email deliverability.
  • Depend only on .ai/.io without owning or leasing the .com path.
  • Rebrand after fundraising because of name conflicts; check trademarks first.

Launch stack for AI startups

Need a premium AI-ready domain?

We’ll shortlist names, secure defensives, and ship DNS + email setup so you can onboard users fast without future rebrands.

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