Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo)

Posted by joshwa on Thursday May 22, 2008 @11:08AM
from the self-post dept.

I'm doing a domain name search for my web app, and I'm wondering what people's reactions are to domain names with suffixes or prefixes:

  fooapp.com
  foohq.com
  getfoo.com

Seeing as most of the useful names are taken by squatters, and I'd prefer not to go with misspellings or nonsense words (which are hard to spread via word-of-mouth), has anyone run into advantages or disadvantages of using one of these suffixes?

I know 37signals uses them (basecamphq.com, backpackit.com, campfirehq.com), and Dropbox also comes to mind (getdropbox.com), but I've personally had trouble remembering them when I want to tell someone about these apps.

  + Uses english words
  + Speakability

  - Memorability
  - Confusion on visiting site without suffix-- competitors/domain parkers/unrelated sites
  - SEO implications?

( 14 comments | 10 points | on HN )

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by xirium on Thursday May 22, 2008 @12:26PM (#197235)

Whatever you pick, it won't stop you migrating to a more concise name when you can afford it. For example, motleyfool.com -> fool.com or askjeeves.com -> ask.com or altavista.com -> av.com

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by swirlee on Thursday May 22, 2008 @01:43PM (#197331)

Don't forget thefacebook.com.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by bjclark on Thursday May 22, 2008 @04:44PM (#197545)

Seeing as how no one remembers domain names and just googles for it all the time, I don't see any problem with them.

I don't like fooapp.com cause non-web app people don't call it an "app".

Campfirenow.com is a really good one. backpackit.com isn't so much cause "it" doesn't relate to backpack very well, I don't think.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by sjs382 on Thursday May 22, 2008 @01:41PM (#197328)

Generate enough word-of-mouth on blogs, and you won't need a memorable URL; your search ranking will take care of (most) users trying to get to your site.

See "Silverback" as an example. I vaguely remembered that it was at silverbackapp.com but wasn't sure. I typed "silverback" into Google and it was the second result.

While we're on the subject though, what are some common domain suffixes/prefixes? It would be helpful to have a handy list for whenever I'm trying domains. :)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by joshwa on Thursday May 22, 2008 @01:48PM (#197336)

  -app
  -hq
  -place
  -spot
  get-
  the-
  my-
  -ster
  -aholic
  -dev
  -lab
  -matic
  -space

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by bigtoga on Thursday May 22, 2008 @02:17PM (#197374)

But you remembered "Silverback" - that's why "memorable" is important. It's just as important in a URL otherwise people wouldn't pay so much for them or value them so highly.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by sjs382 on Friday May 23, 2008 @01:45AM (#197802)

I agree that a memorable name is important. I'm just saying that a memorable domain (may not be|isnt) as important.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by graywh on Thursday May 22, 2008 @01:42PM (#197330)

Don't forget about all the available TLDs. Perhaps one of them can make your URL even better. Just be careful about leaving vowels out to look cool.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by breck on Thursday May 22, 2008 @02:09PM (#197368)

Avoid any TLD besides .com. I can't think of a single site that I visit regularly that doesn't end in .com.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by thorax on Thursday May 22, 2008 @09:16PM (#197710)

We get pretty good traffic at bug.gd. But hard to tell if it would be higher without the odd suffix. It helps that we encourage them to use our Firefox extension and/or bookmark the site when they visit (since people are rarely searching for errors when they hear about us).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by sjs382 on Thursday May 22, 2008 @02:40PM (#197398)

del.icio.us?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by BSeward on Thursday May 22, 2008 @02:48PM (#197405)

They bought delicious.com a while ago, and their new version will eschew their trademark dots entirely (another good example of a company moving to a 'better' domain once they've established themselves).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by adrianwaj on Friday May 23, 2008 @06:30AM (#197903)

I've had domains ending in ZAP and TIP, both grand.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask YC: domain name suffixes? (e.g. fooapp, foohq, getfoo) by thorax on Thursday May 22, 2008 @09:14PM (#197708)

There's also fooproject.com (e.g. jingproject.com)

[ Parent | on HN ]