Choosing and managing domains

A domain name is the address people use to find a website or digital service, such as gov.scot or servicemanual.gov.scot.

A domain helps people find your service, understand who provides it and decide whether they can trust it.

Think about your domain when planning a new service, website or digital product.

Choose a domain people can trust

People should be able to understand what a service is or does simply by reading the domain name.

A domain should:

• describe what the service does
• help people understand where they are
• help people trust the service

Domains should not:

• promote brands (unless a legacy established brand)
• use creative or unclear names
• make subjective claims
• prioritise internal preferences over user needs

Clear and consistent domains:

• build trust in public services
• help people recognise official services
• reduce confusion
• protect people from phishing and scams

Choose clear and descriptive names

Domain names should:

• clearly describe the service
• use plain language
• be easy to read, spell and remember
• reflect the purpose of the service
• match the service name where possible

Avoid:

• acronyms people may not recognise
• internal project names
• abbreviations and technical language
• long or complex names
• terms that could confuse users or make unclear claims

Do not use terms as "my", "Scotland" or other non-factual language unless there is a clear and agreed reason to do so.

Good examples include:

• data.gov.scot
• socialsecurity.gov.scot

Avoid domain names that use branding instead of describing the service, such as:

• r100.gov.scot

People should be able to understand where a link will take them before they select it.

Domains and URLs work together to help people understand and trust a service. Read the URL guidance for advice on creating clear, user-centred URLs.

Use a gov.scot or mygov.scot domain

Before requesting a new domain, consider if an existing gov.scot or mygov.scot domain could meet your needs.

The Domains team provides a managed service for gov.scot and mygov.scot domains.

Using a managed government domain can: 

• increase trust in your service 

• help people recognise an official source 

• reduce the risk of phishing, spoofing and other attacks 

• give you access to specialist support and advice 

The service includes:

• security monitoring
• DNS updates
• certificate management
• auditing and reporting

Request a domain

If you need a new domain, think about:

• who will use the service
• what the service does
• how people will find the service
• whether you can use an existing domain
• how the domain supports trust and security

Consider your domain during service planning rather than shortly before launch.

Email domains@gov.scot if you need advice on:

• requesting a new domain
• checking domain availability
• choosing a domain name
• deciding whether an existing domain could meet your needs

Before requesting a domain, read our guidance on how to publish content about your service. It gives advice depending on your service and where in the public sector you work.

Domain ownership

Every domain must have a named owner.

The domain owner is the main contact for the Domains team and must make sure ownership information stays up to date.

Email domains@gov.scot if:

• ownership changes
• a domain is no longer needed
• you need to make changes to an existing domain

Get support

Email domains@gov.scot if you:

• need a new domain
• are unsure which domain is most appropriate
• need to make changes to an existing domain
• need support with domain governance
• need advice on maintaining or retiring a domain

Getting support early can help avoid delays and reduce risk.

Related guidance

URL guidance
Publishing content about your service
GOV.UK guidance on managing service domains