Quick question: If I told you to remember two phone numbers, one is “+263 77 123 4567” and the other is “+263 71 987 6543”, which would stick in your head?
That’s basically the difference between a good domain name and a bad one. Your domain is your digital address. It’s how people find you. Get it right, and you stick in people’s minds. Get it wrong, and you’re fighting an uphill battle from day one.
The .co.zw vs .com Question
This comes up constantly. Should you go with a .com or stick with .co.zw?
Here’s my take as someone who’s built websites for years: if you can get the .com you want, go for it. But here’s the thing — most good .com domains are taken. If yourbusinessname.com is taken, don’t settle for yourbusinessname123.com. That’s a recipe for confusion.
A .co.zw domain actually carries a certain pride. It says “we are Zimbabwean.” For local businesses, that can be a selling point. zvandhambi.co.zw tells a different story than zvandhambi.com (which is probably some domain squatter in Texas).
How to Pick a Domain That Works
- Keep it short. aim for under 15 characters if possible. Every character you add is another thing that can be mistyped or forgotten.
- Make it easy to spell. If someone hears your domain on the radio, can they spell it correctly? Avoid numbers, hyphens, and unusual spellings.
- Match your brand. Your domain should reflect your business name or a clear version of it.
- Think about email. info@yourdomain.co.zw looks 10x more professional than yourbusiness21@gmail.com.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using numbers instead of words: r3al3state.co.zw — just no. Nobody remembers that.
Hyphens: best-t-shirts.co.zw — this screams “newbie” and is annoying to say out loud.
Unnecessary words: getthebestt-shirtsfromus.co.zw — by this point your potential customer has closed the tab.
Already Have a Bad Domain?
If you’ve got a clunky domain, the good news is you’re not stuck forever. You can register the better domain and redirect. Or if your business has grown, rebrand properly. Yes, it’s a hassle. But your domain is your digital storefront — it’s worth getting right.
Need help sorting out your domain and hosting? We’ve got hosting starting from $1/month including 3 professional email accounts. Let’s make sure your digital address does you justice.
