Domain Names: What Characters Can You Actually Use?
After four years running WESH UK, we’ve been asked about domain name rules more than you’d think. Business owners assume they can chuck any old combination of letters and symbols together, but it’s not that simple.
Let’s sort this out once and for all.
The Five Questions Everyone Asks
Can Domain Name Registration Characters have underscores?
No. Can’t be done. Won’t work.
We’ve had clients try to register “my_business.co.uk” and wonder why it doesn’t work. The domain system just doesn’t allow underscores. End of story.
Can Domain Name Registration Characters have numbers?
Yes, but think twice before you do it.
Numbers work fine technically. You’ll see plenty of sites using them. But here’s the thing – when someone’s telling their mate about your website down the pub, is it “five” or “5”? Creates confusion, loses customers.
Can domain names have special characters?
Nope. You get letters, numbers, and hyphens. That’s your lot.
No exclamation marks, no pound signs, none of that fancy stuff. The internet was built simple, and it’s staying that way.
Can domain names have hyphens?
Yes, but there are rules.
You can stick hyphens in the middle of your domain name. You can’t start with one, can’t end with one. Simple enough.
But here’s the problem – try telling someone your domain name over the phone when it’s got hyphens in it. “It’s my-business-dash-london-dot-co-dot-uk.” See what I mean? Pain in the backside.
Can domain names start with a number?
Technically, yes. Practically, probably not a great idea.
“123business.co.uk” might work, but it looks a bit naff, doesn’t it? Harder to remember, harder to promote, and some older systems get confused by it.
Why These Rules Exist
These aren’t arbitrary rules some committee made up to annoy you. The domain system was designed in the early 80s to work on every computer system going. That means keeping it simple.
Every domain name has to translate into the numerical addresses that computers actually use.
The Domain Name Registration Character restrictions make sure your domain works whether someone’s visiting from a Windows PC, a Mac, or some ancient Unix system that should have been retired years ago.
What We Tell Our Clients
After years in this game, here’s what actually works:
Keep it simple. Letters only if you can manage it. Your business name if it’s available. UK extensions like .co.uk for local businesses.
Avoid numbers unless they’re part of your brand. If you’re called “24 Hour Plumbing” then fair enough, but otherwise skip them.
Skip the hyphens. They just complicate things when you’re trying to tell people your web address.
Never use underscores. They don’t work. Don’t even try.
Forget special characters. Not allowed, won’t work, don’t bother.
The Reality Check
Your domain name is often the first thing potential customers see. Within these technical limits, focus on something memorable and professional that’s easy to share when buying domain names.
We help London businesses get this right every day. Our UK-based servers mean better performance for local customers, and we understand both the technical rules and what actually works in practice.
Whether you’re registering your first domain or adding to what you’ve got, these rules aren’t going anywhere. Work with them, not against them.
Getting It Sorted
At WESH UK, we’ve been doing this since 2000. We know the rules, we know what works, and we know how to help you avoid the common mistakes when registering domain names that cost time and money.
Your domain name matters. Get it right from the start.
