One of the most exciting parts of starting something new whether it’s a business, a personal brand, or a side hustle is buying your domain name.
That tiny string of text will live on every business card, Instagram bio, WhatsApp link, and invoice you send.
Get it wrong, and you’ll keep explaining it for years.
Get it right, and it instantly makes you look professional and trustworthy.
If you’re in Cameroon and planning a website, here’s the no-nonsense guide to choosing the perfect domain name with examples that fit our local market.
Is it short and easy to spell?
Can you say it out loud without confusion?
Does it use the right extension (.cm, .com, etc.)?
Is it safe from awkward word combos?
Are matching social media names available?
If you can tick these off, you’ve likely found the right domain name.
Your domain should be easy to remember and quick to type.
In Cameroon, most people access websites on phones with sometimes slow internet or tiny keyboards.
Don’t make them type 30 characters.
Example:
Good: greenfarm.cm
Bad: greenfarm-organic-products-cameroon.com
Aim for one or two short words. If you run “Maison Blanche Beauty Salon,” don’t pick maisonblanchebeautysaloncameroon.com.
Something like mbbeauty.cm or maisonblanche.cm is cleaner and easier.
Imagine telling someone your website at a networking event or over the phone.
Will they type it correctly the first time?
Cameroon is multilingual (English, French, Pidgin, and local dialects).
If your name is tricky to pronounce or has special characters, people might misspell it.
Example:
If you’re “Les Délices du Village,” you might choose delicesvillage.cm instead of lesdélicesduvillage.cm (accents can confuse people when typing).
If your brand name is long, consider an abbreviation but test it out loud first.
Before you buy, say the name to friends and ask them to type it on their phones.
See if they get it right.
ALSO READ: Why Choosing a Local Web Designer in Cameroon Can Make or Break Your Business
Domain endings (also called extensions or suffixes) matter more than most people think.
They signal where your business is based and who you’re serving.
.cm — Great if your audience is mainly in Cameroon. It instantly tells people you’re local and builds trust. Example: webdesign.cm.
.com — Still the gold standard for international appeal. If you plan to go global, consider .com but check if your name is already taken.
.org — Works well for non-profits, NGOs, churches, or community initiatives. Example: hopeafrica.org.
.edu.cm — For accredited educational institutions in Cameroon.
Creative endings (.store, .tech, .app) — Good if you want a modern feel or your main .com/.cm name is taken. Example: bikeshop.store.
Pro tip: If you can afford it, buy both .cm and .com to protect your brand. Point one to the other.
In the past, people would stuff their domain with keywords to rank on Google (like bestrealestatebuea.com).
Today, search engines are smarter, but a relevant keyword can still help.
If your business is location-based and you’re targeting a specific city, a keyword can make sense.
Examples:
bueabakery.cm (if you run a bakery in Buea)
limbesalon.com (if you own a hair salon in Limbe)
But if you plan to expand beyond one city, stick with a name you can grow into.
Hyphens might look neat but cause confusion. People forget to type them, or they place them in the wrong spot.
Example:
Good: topclassfashion.cm
Bad: top-class-fashion.cm
And absolutely avoid symbols or numbers that aren’t obvious. salon4u.cm might sound cool, but someone hearing it might type salonforyou.cm.
Be careful with word combinations.
Some names can read differently when smashed together.
Double-check how your words look side by side. (Think of the classic “Pen Island” example: penisland.net — not what the owner intended!)
Also, search your name on Google and social media before you buy.
Make sure it’s not associated with scams or controversial brands.
ALSO READ: Why Being a Freelance Web Designer in Cameroon is Hard
In Cameroon, many businesses rely heavily on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for sales.
If you find a great domain name but the matching social handles are taken, you may struggle with branding consistency.
For example, if you buy bestcakes.cm but Instagram’s @bestcakes is gone, you’ll have to settle for @bestcakes237 — not terrible, but not perfect.
The internet moves quickly, and good domain names vanish every day.
If you’ve found a name you like and it’s available, grab it.
Domains aren’t expensive (usually 6,000–12,000 FCFA for .cm per year; .com may cost slightly more).
Your domain name is like your shop sign online — make it short, easy, and professional.
In Cameroon, where trust is everything and scams are common, a clean, memorable domain can instantly make you look credible.
If you’re serious about your online presence but unsure about the right domain, talk to a professional web designer.
They’ll help you choose a name that works for your business today and astill makes sense if you grow tomorrow.
I’m a WordPress web designer and developer in Cameroon, working remotely with clients locally and internationally. If you need a website that actually works for your business, or even just a question, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help.