Professional Domain Names

Reading "nobody checked at checkout" as "nobody is checking". Every extension in this category runs on Identity Digital infrastructure, and its acceptable use policy lists holding yourself out as having a status or credential associated with the extension, when you do not have it, as abusive use. The registry reserves the right to deny, suspend, cancel or redirect the name at its sole discretion.

Do this insteadBuy the word you can evidence on request. If the qualification behind the extension is one a client could look up on a public register, be certain your entry on that register is current before you print the address on anything.

Ordering .archi the way you would order any other domain. It is the only extension on this page under a community registry agreement, and Specification 12 of that agreement ties eligibility to the International Union of Architects, certified at registration and re-checked on random quarterly samples. A name that fails a check goes on hold pending proof, and can be revoked if none arrives.

Do this insteadRegister .archi only where a UIA-member architect sits behind the practice, and keep the membership evidence somewhere you can lay hands on it. If the architect who qualifies you leaves the firm, treat the domain as a renewal decision rather than a formality.

Putting a UK training business on .degree without degree awarding powers. Section 214 of the Education Reform Act 1988 makes it an offence to grant, offer to grant, or issue an invitation relating to an award described as a degree that could reasonably be taken as coming from a UK institution, unless it is a recognised award. Marketing courses as degrees from a .degree address sits squarely in that territory.

Do this insteadUse .degree only if you hold degree awarding powers under the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, by Royal Charter or by Act of Parliament. If you award certificates and diplomas, .expert or .coach describe what you actually sell.

Moving a regulated firm onto the new address and leaving the regulator's display rules behind on the old site. SRA Transparency Rules rule 4.1 requires an authorised body to show its SRA number and the SRA digital badge in a prominent place on the website relating to its legal services, and rule 4.2 requires the SRA authorisation number and the words "authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority" on letterhead and emails.

Do this insteadPut the badge and the number on whichever site the new address serves before you switch, and update the email signature the same day you move mailboxes across. Other regulators carry their own equivalents, so check yours rather than treating the web address as a purely commercial decision.

Registering the professional extension and leaving the matching .co.uk for somebody else. These are annual bills for as long as the practice trades, and the range on this page runs from a little over the cost of a .co.uk up to roughly seven times it, so the temptation is to buy one address rather than two.

Do this insteadTake the .co.uk first, because that is what a UK client types by reflex and it is the cheapest defensive registration you will ever make. Add the professional extension beside it, and point whichever one you are not promoting at the other.

Expecting the extension to do the persuading. .expert, .pro, .coach and .doctor are open dictionary words, and a sceptical client who already wondered whether you are qualified will not be reassured by an address anyone could have bought that morning.

Do this insteadPublish the registration number, the name of the regulator or professional body, and a link to your entry on its public register, in the footer of every page. That is the part a cautious client checks, and no domain extension substitutes for it.