Domain name extensions are often treated like an afterthought, but they hold significant value. When done right, they establish a business’s presence online, add credibility to the website, and enable brands to reach potential customers.
Owing to multi-layered benefits, it comes as no surprise that 359.8 million domain names were registered in 2023! If you’re in the process of setting up a website and want to choose the perfect domain name extension, this guide is for you.
We’ll explore everything you need to know about domain name extensions, from why they are important to how to choose the right one. Let’s go!
What Is Domain Name Extension?
A domain name extension is the part of a URL address that comes after the last dot—technically known as top-level domains (TLDs). It typically indicates the type or purpose of the website. Here are some examples of common domain extensions:
- .com — One of the most widely recognized domain name extensions for commercial websites
- .org — For non-profit organizations or informational websites (not intended for commercial use)
- .net — For tech companies or other network-related websites
- .co — A shorter version of .com that speaks directly to a younger audience
When you add the second-level domain (SLD) or website name (the unique name chosen by the website owner) to the domain name extension, you get the complete website address. An example of this would be www.instagram.com.
5 Types of Domain Extensions You Must Know About
Domain extensions help categorize websites by type. Here are the five most common ones in use:
1. Generic domain extensions (gTLDs): Most people are familiar with generic top-level domains such as .com, .org, .net, and .info. The advantage of using this domain extension type is that anyone can use it—irrespective of the location or country of operation. So, if you need a global website, a gTLD is a good fit.
2. Sponsored domain extensions (TLDs): These top-level domains are sponsored by a specific organization or a community and are not used by the general public. They indicate a specific purpose or affiliation. Some examples include .gov for government websites, .edu for educational institutions, .mil for U.S. military websites, and .int for international organizations (WHO, for instance):
If you want to register your domain name extension, such as .motorola, for instance, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) now allows you to do so under the brand TLD category.
3. Country code domain extensions (ccTLDs):Â These domain extensions are assigned to specific countries and indicate a website’s geographic location. Some examples include .uk (United Kingdom), .ca (Canada), and .jp (Japan). Naturally, this type of domain name extension is ideal if you want to target a specific audience in a particular country or region.
Remember that the ccTLD rules will differ for each country, so check the rules before you apply. Some countries allow the general public to use ccTLDs, whereas some countries only allow government agencies to use them.
4. Restricted domain extensions: Some generic URL extensions have restrictions, meaning users wanting to use them need to register first. For example, only U.S. government agencies can use .gov, and .jobs is limited to job listing websites. We recommend consulting with a domain specialist to help you get a valuable and meaningful domain extension.
5. Special use domain extensions: ICANN reserves certain domain name extensions for specific technical purposes. For example, extensions like .local and .test are reserved to curb confusion or misuse.
Why Are Domain Extensions Important?
We’ve laid down the basics. Let’s now understand why domain extensions are important.
1. Right domain name = instant recognition
Your domain extension holds the power to ensure top-of-mind recall.
Domain extensions influence why visitors will visit your website. The popular ones boost familiarity and recognition, so people trust them by default. To make the most of your domain extensions, choose one that is:
- Most active in your industry
- Aligns with your brand’s personality
- Maps to your customer’s expectations
2. Right domain name = greater trust = positive first impression
First things first know that domain name extensions help gain trust from the customer and create a positive impression. It also represents your branding in a more professional light. For instance, visitors would be more likely to click a website with a .com. extension than a .zip extension.
3. Right domain name = improved website categorization
Depending on your website and niche audience, a domain name extension categorizes your site using country code or sponsored TLDs as markers. By extension, you’ll be able to attract the right kind of target audience to your website.
Moving on, let’s address the elephant in the room:
“Does Domain Extension Affect SEO?”
The short answer? No.
Contrary to popular opinion, newer TLDs like .space are as credible as compared to .com in the eyes of Google when it comes to SEO—according to John Mueller, a Search Advocate at Google.
This means that your choice of domain extension is not a direct ranking factor in Google’s search algorithm. Instead, Google focuses on the relevance, quality, and authority of your website content when determining search rankings.
6 Most Common Domain Extensions: An In-depth Lowdown
Familiar domain extensions feed credibility and trust. Here are six common domain extensions you can choose from:
1 .com — Most popular choice for businesses
It is true that .com is the most trusted domain extension and, unsurprisingly, the most popular top-level domain as well, with 46% of global websites using it:
For-profit commercial businesses mostly use this domain extension. Considering humans are driven by habits, it makes sense to opt for this domain extension and capitalize on this extension’s popularity.
Think about it – we associate all websites with the .com domain extension because we’re most accustomed to seeing it. So, if your website wants to cater to a global audience and improve its footprint quickly, .com is your best bet.
Sometimes, you may have typed in a website’s domain extension as .com only to realize it’s .co. This kind of mistake is common and demonstrates the influence .com has on visitors today.
Even hackers are buying .com domain extensions with slightly misspelled domain names to deceive unsuspecting customers and engage in fraudulent activity.
If the cost of .com does not fit your budget, don’t worry. There are other options you can select from.
2 .co — A shorter, newer version of .com
Want to validate your website immediately with a fresh and original domain extension? Use the .co domain extension, a popular choice for global domains today.
In the visitor’s eyes, .co could stand for company, corporation, or commercial business. However, 500.co is a forward-thinking startup that targets early-stage startups and wants to cater to a younger target audience:
In this case, .co presents a sleek and modern image and is best suited for the brand’s intended target audience (a younger demographic).
While not as popular as .com, .co is gaining recognition and is a great choice for those who want a shorter, newer domain extension.
3 .net — Great for tech companies
This domain extension is open to all users and is a great alternative to the .com domain extension. Short for network, this extension translates to all-things technology. So, if you’re in the tech space, it’s worth looking into this domain extension. If not, stay away, or else you risk confusing customers with your product, as most visitors associate .net with strictly tech-based services.
If you need more proof, know that global brands like Behance (www.behance.net), SlideShare (www.slideshare.net), etc., use .net. Moreover, since .net is not as in demand as .com, you won’t have to compromise with your domain name as shown below:
Since Artelogic is in the IT space, it makes perfect sense to use this domain and build credibility within the tech community.
4 .gov — Best for government agencies
When it comes to establishing trust and authority, nothing beats the .gov domain extension:
A .gov domain is reserved exclusively for government agencies and instantly conveys credibility and reliability. It’s the gold standard for government entities looking to build a strong online presence.
5 .edu — Ideal for educational websites
As you might have guessed, .edu instantly lets the visitor know that your website is educational, as the Harvard website highlights below:
If your website is dedicated to learning and knowledge sharing, the .edu domain is the perfect choice.
Recognized worldwide as a symbol of educational excellence, a .edu domain lends instant credibility to universities, schools, and other educational organizations.
6 .org — A go-to choice for NGOs
One of the original TLDs, along with .com and .org, was created for non-profit organizations, though anyone can use this domain extension today. It is also actively used by political parties, online communities, and non-governmental organizations.
A word of caution:Â People associate .org as an educational and trustworthy site; therefore, it does not fit into the commercial big picture. For example, you’ll be hard-pressed to find eCommerce stores with a .org extension. In terms of SEO ranking, .org holds the same importance as .com.
Generally speaking, people also associate .org with knowledge bases like Wikipedia:
How to Choose the Right Domain Extension for Your Website?: 7 Useful Tips
There are 1500+ domain name extensions in existence. Naturally, choosing the right domain name existence can seem daunting. However, with a thoughtful approach and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can choose a domain extension that reflects your brand personality.
Tip #1. Choose a meaningful domain name extension.
Selecting a TLD will depend on your industry, business type, and, of course, availability. Most commercial businesses still opt for .com as their go-to choice because it’s one of the most widely used extensions globally, and everyone is used to this domain name extension.
Alternatively, if your desired name is already taken, you must consider opting for a domain backorder. This way, you’ll receive a notification when it expires and be first in line to purchase it.
Most reputed brands prefer using a .com domain extension:
Tip #2. Steer clear of spammy domain name extensions.
Yes, there is such a thing as spam-like domain name extensions. Here are the top 10 ccTLDs associated with malicious domains:
Tip #3. Research your domain name strategically.
Don’t ignore your domain name when selecting the extension. Your domain name should reflect your brand’s personality/product offering/USPs of your brand. So, use keywords, phrases, and names accordingly. Plus, do not misspell words, use numbers, or add hyphens. For instance, do not opt for “OnlineShop4U.biz”; instead, go for “YourOnlineStore.com.”
Tip #4. Get creative with your domain name extension and think outside the dot.
You may feel flexing your creative muscle can be limited with a domain name extension, but the following extension will make you think again:
The brand whos.amung.us uses clever wordplay (based on “Who’s among us?”) to complete the domain name with a .us extension.
Using unconventional extensions like .us creatively allows you to add flair and uniqueness to your domain name. The idea is to go beyond traditional domain extensions like .com or .net and consider original extensions like .us, .io or even industry-specific extensions like .tech or .design.
These unusual extensions can make your domain name more memorable and help you stand out in a crowded online space.
Tip #5. Revisit your brand image and be mindful of your brand’s location.
Using an inappropriate domain extension can send the wrong message to your audience and impact your brand’s credibility. Customers may end up writing poor reviews on sites and your ranking on Google will get negatively impacted as well.
Since this is an Indian brand, opting for a .in or .co extension would have worked better than opting for a .net extension. You must ensure your domain extension aligns with your brand image and values to avoid confusion or tricking users and maintain a strong online presence.
Tip #6. Budget accurately.
Accounting for the cost of your domain name extension is central to sticking to your budget planning. Some domain extensions, such as .com, .net, and .org, are widely available and affordable. On the other hand, extensions like .io or .tech may come with a higher price tag.
Pro tip: Before choosing a domain extension, make sure to research the registration fees and renewal costs, which are often higher than the starting price. Factor this into your budget to ensure you can afford the domain name extension in the long term.
Tip #7. Enhance SEO with relevant domain name extensions.
Choose domain extensions that can enhance your website’s search engine optimization (SEO). For example, if you’re targeting a local audience, consider using a country-specific extension like .us, .au, or .uk. to improve your website’s visibility in local search results.
Here are a few tips you can follow:
- Opt for industry-specific extensions such as .tech for technology or .food for the food industry to attract a targeted audience.
- Use relevant keywords in your domain name to improve SEO. For example, “NYCBakery.com” can help rank higher for New York City bakery searches.
- Ensure social media handles and trademarks are available for your chosen domain to maintain brand consistency.
- Buy common misspellings or variations of your domain name to prevent users from landing on competitor sites (if budget allows)
Enhance Your Branding with Custom, Relevant, and Popular Domain Name Extensions from Crazy Domain
Selecting the right domain name extension seems like a small, subtle activity when building your website, but it can significantly impact your website’s reputation. Plus, with a strategic domain extension, you can tap into a new set of customers and expand your base.
Whether you want a personal domain name extension for your portfolio, newsletter, commercial website, or blog, trust Crazy Domains to help you narrow down your search and build a powerful online store.
Our team will help you choose a domain name extension that’s relevant to your business and helps you build a positive connection from the very first interaction. Schedule a call to know more.
FAQs
Q. Does it matter what domain extension you use?
Yes, absolutely! Selecting the right domain name and domain extension can make or break your website. The domain extension affects your branding, be it positively or negatively. For example, a .com domain extension should be used for global websites, whereas if your website is locally based, go for country domain extensions. Today, there are thousands of domain extensions, and you can freely customize them, giving you infinite choices.
Q. Does domain extension affect site speed?
No, your domain extension will not significantly affect your page speed. Even if your website is accessed through a different domain, the loading speed remains unchanged. However, a minor factor that can slightly affect speed is the choice of name servers assigned to your domain.
Q. How much does a domain extension cost?
Generally speaking, the average cost for a common domain name extension like .com ranges from a few dollars to $20 a year. However, due to higher registration fees, you could end up paying up to $50 a year for more premium domain extensions.
Q. When it comes to domain name extensions, is .net better than .org?
The choice between .net and .org depends on the nature of your website. Remember, .net is commonly used for technical sites, and non-profit organizations traditionally use .org.
Q. What is the difference between domain and domain extension?
A domain is the unique address of a website on the internet, such as google.com or wikipedia.org. It’s used to identify and locate websites on the web. On the other hand, a domain extension, also known as a top-level domain (TLD), is the suffix at the end of a domain name, such as .com, .org, or .net. It helps classify websites based on their purpose or geographic location.
Q. What is the best domain extension for personal use?
The best domain extension for personal use will depend on your custom goals. For a personal blog or portfolio, you can go for a .me or .name extension.
Q. Is .co a good domain?
Yes, .co is a popular and reputable domain extension and is often used as an alternative to .com. Startups and businesses looking for a short, memorable domain name extension can go for this option.
Q. Should I purchase multiple domain extensions for my website?
Yes, purchasing multiple domain extensions for your website helps protect your brand and online presence. By owning variations of your domain name, you can prevent competitors from using similar domain names and ensure traffic is directed to your main website.
Q. Can domain extensions affect my website’s credibility?
Yes, absolutely! The choice of domain extension can impact your website’s credibility. For example, using a sketchy domain extension like .biz can cause visitors to question your site’s legitimacy. This is why it’s important to choose a reputable domain extension that aligns with your brand and industry.
Q. Can I change the domain name extension?
No, once you’ve registered a domain with a specific extension, you cannot change it. Please note that a domain name with a different extension is considered a distinct domain name. If you’ve made an error or prefer a different extension, you’ll need to register it separately.
Q. How long can a domain extension be?
A domain name can consist of up to 63 characters, which can be letters, numbers, or a combination of both, plus the four characters used for the domain extension (.com, .net, .org). Remember, the only symbol allowed in domain names is a hyphen (-), although the domain name cannot begin or end with a hyphen, nor can it have consecutive hyphens.
