📊 The Credibility Test
Would you hire an SEO agency with a .xyz domain? Neither would your clients. Your domain is your first case study—make it count.
Domain Extensions: What Clients Expect
| Extension | Client Trust | Industry Perception | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Standard, expected | Required |
| .agency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Clear, professional | Good backup |
| .co | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Startup vibes | Acceptable |
| .io | ⭐⭐⭐ | Tech-focused only | Niche use |
| .marketing | ⭐⭐⭐ | On the nose | Too obvious |
| .xyz / .online | ⭐⭐ | Unprofessional | Avoid |
Agency Naming Patterns That Work
✓ Strong Agency Names
- • distilled.com (acquired)
- • moz.com
- • searchpilot.com
- • builtvisible.com
- • riseinteractive.com
Pattern: Brandable, memorable, .com
✗ Weak Agency Names
- • best-seo-services.com
- • top10rankings.marketing
- • guaranteed-page-one.xyz
- • cheap-seo-company.online
Pattern: Generic, keyword-stuffed, cheap TLD
EMD vs Branded: The SEO Agency Debate
Should you use an exact-match domain like "chicagoseo.com" or a brand name?
Our Take
Brand name wins for agencies. Here's why:
- • EMDs look spammy to sophisticated clients
- • You're selling expertise, not a keyword
- • Branded domains are easier to trademark
- • You can rank for local terms anyway with good SEO
Exception: If you're targeting a very specific niche (e.g., "dentistmarketingpros.com" for dental marketing only), an EMD can work as part of your niche positioning.
Domain Portfolio for Agencies
Smart agencies register multiple domains:
- Primary: agencyname.com (main site)
- Protection: agencyname.co, agencyname.agency (forward to main)
- Client portals: clients.agencyname.com or agencynameclients.com
- Side projects: Separate domains for tools, blogs, or products
Red Flags Clients Notice
🚩 Non-.com without good reason: If you're selling premium SEO but have a .marketing domain, clients wonder why you couldn't get the .com.
🚩 Keyword-stuffed domains: "best-affordable-seo-marketing-services.com" screams desperation.
🚩 Typosquatting-style domains: Domains that look like intentional misspellings of competitors.
The Bottom Line
Your agency domain should demonstrate the same principles you preach to clients:
- ✓ Brandable and memorable
- ✓ .com (or .agency as backup)
- ✓ No keyword stuffing
- ✓ Protected with key variations
- ✓ Professional email: you@agencyname.com