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

10 points

18 years ago

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