Your LinkedIn profile shows what you’ve done. But when someone does a search, do they see a long, generic link, or a polished address like yourname.pro?

Too many professionals let platforms define their digital identity. A domain puts you back in control, making your brand portable, consistent, and credible no matter how platforms evolve. This article shows how domains help build trust, professionalism, and long-term ownership of your story.

Why owning your domain builds more trust than renting space

Credibility online starts with perception. People form impressions of your online presence almost instantly, often before they read a word. 

More than a decade ago, research from INSEAD showed that shorter, simpler domain names performed better, with higher demand and stronger recall (Girotra & Ulrich, 2012). Experts today still echo these findings, recommending domains in the three-to-14 character range: short enough to be memorable, but long enough to be clear (Hosting.com, 2025). 

A clean, professional web address conveys intention and professionalism. Custom email addresses (e.g., [email protected]) project credibility in a way that free accounts rarely do. 

Most importantly, your domain gives you control and mobility. Social platforms change, algorithms shift, and providers can sunset features. A domain moves with you through job changes and career pivots, creating long-term trust while keeping your professional identity firmly in your hands.

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Quick Glossary

Breaking down a web address like yourname.pro:

• Domain = the name or main part of the URL (yourname)
• TLD (top-level domain) = the ending or domain extension (.pro)
• nTLD (new top-level domain) = modern extensions beyond .com/.org, such as .pro, .bio, .careers, .fyi
• Web address = the full URL (https://yourname.pro)

Modern TLDs: Legitimacy with a powerful branding punch

If credibility is the goal, you might assume that a traditional .com is the only safe choice. After all, .com has been the default choice since the internet became popular, and it still accounts for the largest share of registrations.

However, credibility isn’t limited to .com extensions. New top-level domains (nTLDs) like .pro, .bio, .careers, and .fyi have been around for years, and they’re only growing more popular. Just like .com, they connect seamlessly to websites and email, with the added benefit of calling out your expertise or industry right in the address.

The numbers show just how mainstream many nTLDs have become. At the end of Q1 2025, nTLDs accounted for 37.8 million registrations worldwide. By mid-year, that number climbed to 39.5 million, a 4.6% quarterly increase and a 14.2% jump year-over-year (Domain Name Industry Brief, 2025). Far from being fringe, nTLDs represent a growing segment of the digital realm, and major brands are already putting them to work.

Even LinkedIn has embraced them. LinkedIn Premium includes a perk that gives subscribers access to select domains through name.com. This offer is designed to help professionals explore ways to strengthen their online presence beyond their LinkedIn profile. That move reinforces what many professionals already know: descriptive domains are trusted markers of credibility, not outliers.

Match the TLD with your professional goals

Your domain should align with your professional goals and audience. Your full web address — from the name to the extension — should make it clear who you are and what you do.

Each nTLD is suited to its own set of industries. For instance: 

• .pro: Helps position consultants, freelancers, and agencies as an experienced professional and makes outreach emails look more authoritative.
• .bio: For creators, thought leaders, and multi-role professionals who need a central hub. A .bio domain works well as a modern “about me” page, consolidating your portfolio, social links, and projects in one place.
• .careers: For job seekers, recruiters, or organizations posting opportunities. A .careers domain can host résumés, portfolios, or job boards, giving hiring managers and candidates a memorable touchpoint.
• .fyi: For SMBs, independents, and collectives that need to provide quick, trustworthy information. Whether it’s FAQs, contact details, or pricing updates, these domains make your resource pages easy to find and share.
• .contact: Ideal for professionals who want to share personal details like phone numbers or email addresses, or direct people to a page where they can schedule meetings or consultations.

Pro tip: Secure your main domain and relevant variants (misspellings, shortened names, or multiple TLDs). Forward them to your primary site to protect your brand and centralize your presence.

Putting domain credibility into practice

Wondering what this might look like for your website? Imagine domain choice in action for a few different professions. 

• The creator: A musician launches alexsmith.bio as a hub for releases, tour dates, and press.
• The consultant: A freelance designer using [email protected] helps prospects instantly trust her communication and feel confident they’re dealing with a credible professional.
• The job seeker: A graduate builds jordan.careers for a résumé and portfolio, creating a clean touchpoint for recruiters.
• The small business: A boutique agency sets up brightideas.fyi for FAQs and pricing, cutting down on repetitive emails.

These examples demonstrate how a descriptive domain can transform any professional identity into something people recognize and trust, regardless of your field or platform.

Quick start: Set up your domain in under an hour

Ready to make your domain part of your professional identity? Here’s a simple five-step setup you can do in under an hour.

1. Claim it. Search and register your domain at name.com.
2. Connect it. Link to a portfolio, link-in-bio tool, or site.
3. Brand it. Add a professional email (e.g., [email protected]).
4. Share it. Put it on your LinkedIn, résumé, proposals, and signature.
5. Update it. Refresh with new projects or testimonials every few months.

Claim your name. Control your narrative.

Social platforms are valuable tools, but they don’t give you ownership of your story. A carefully chosen domain offers the whole package: trust, professionalism, and portability. The inclusion of domain perks in LinkedIn Premium reflects growing interest among professionals in owning their digital identity. 

Your domain is more than an address — it’s your digital HQ. Take the first step toward owning your story.

Sources

Girotra & Ulrich. Empirical Evidence for Domain Name Performance. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1714992 

Hosting.com. Why your domain name isn’t just a technical detail. https://hosting.com/blog/why-your-domain-name-isnt-just-a-technical-detail/ 
DNIB. The DNIB Quarterly Report Q2 2025. https://www.dnib.com/articles/the-domain-name-industry-brief-q2-2025