Website addresses usually contain two parts: a domain name and a domain name extension. Selecting the right domain extension for your business can be difficult. Most often, an SEO Agency will recommend the .com option between .com, .org, or .net. However, there are many factors to consider before selecting a suitable domain name for your business.
The domain name helps connect your website address to your business name. It also helps you achieve your business goals. The second part of the website address is a domain extension. It defines your website type and its target.
While the first part of your web address requires the most attention, the domain extension also plays an important role. Top-level domains (TLDs) are extensions of domain names that classify websites according to location or business type.
Common domain extensions include .net, .org, and .com. Each domain extension has a different meaning and impact on your business. For a web design company, selecting the right extension for your domain name requires a lot of thought. The following information will help you choose the right domain extension.
A reputed web design company will often insist on getting top-level domains like .com. The initial use of .com was for commercial sites. Today, .com is used for many purposes, no matter the business type.
This domain extension became popular along with the internet. During the 1990s, .com determined the success and failure of online ventures. Most global websites use .com as an extension. This domain extension makes it easy for your audience to recall your website address. If you are using a different extension, your customers may type an incorrect URL while searching for your business.
It is a common myth that Google prefers .com over other extensions. However, this is not always true. Google prioritizes .com over others only because most websites use .com as a preferred extension. Because most users associate the authenticity of a business with its domain name, Google tends to side with its users.
Your web development company can help you check the availability of a TLD. Owing to their popularity, .com domains are often limited. It is essential to verify the domain extension’s availability while setting up your website, especially when picking out your domain name.
While .com is the most common and popular domain extension, your company address can still hold value without a .com extension. At times, an SEO Agency might suggest a domain extension other than .com if it complements your business name.
Another common TLD is .org, which means organization. This extension is mainly used for nonprofit organizations, including NGOs, charities, educational websites, and public projects. It was introduced in 1985 and was among the first authentic domain extensions. It is considered a powerful domain extension by a web design company and is often more credible compared to newer options.
This TLD extension was created for companies that did not fit into any categories. These were mainly organizations that were non-commercial and non-networking, non-government, and educational bodies. This extension used to only include non-profit organizations. However, that restriction was taken down in 2019 after the registry for domain names came under new ownership. Although for-profit companies can use .org, many users still associate that extension with nonprofit organizations.
The appropriate use of .org can offer authority, credibility, and social validation for your business. It is especially beneficial for well-known and trusted organizations. If you choose a .org extension, you should try to incorporate the extension effectively in your business name. This critical step will prevent potential customers from assuming your web address has the .com extension.
Although it might seem that .org will reduce the visibility of your website, it may not drastically affect your Google search rankings.
Another popular TLD extension and alternative to .com is .net. This is a preferred alternative for a web development company when a .com domain name is unavailable. The .net domain name extension means network. When it was first created, .net was mainly used by smaller websites like tech companies or network organizations.
Businesses like internet providers, databases, and website hosting companies require .net as their domain name extension. When the .com extension is unavailable for your chosen domain name, you can use .net. Make sure you investigate the company using your domain name with the .com extension. You may want to change your domain if that company offers similar products or services. Failure to do this might confuse your visitors and lead them to your competitors.
When a web development company helps you select a domain extension, you should also ensure your business name goes well with your chosen domain extension.
Although many people think that .org is for nonprofit organizations and .com is for commercial companies, this is not always the case. A reputed SEO Agency will often suggest you opt for .com to gain profit. There are other ways to succeed if .com is not an option. For example, if you intend to use .org, you may consider backing that choice with an appropriate marketing plan to help your customers remember the correct web address. Smart strategy can save your business from being misunderstood or lost in the internet.
Any web development company that wants to create brand value for your new site will suggest opting for .net if .com is not available. Most mobile phones have built-in options for entering domain extensions. For that reason, it can be beneficial to purchase multiple domain extensions with your chosen domain name (i.e. ABCwebsite.com as well as ABCwebsite.net). This way, if a customer enters your address as .com instead of .net, they will still arrive at the correct website.
A domain extension is an essential part of any website address and is equally important as your domain name. The domain extension not only determines your online presence but also delivers information about your brand. It can define how your customers perceive your business.
After learning about all three TLDs, an SEO Agency can help you navigate these factors and build your business. Careful planning will help you create a powerful online presence from the beginning and avoid any last-minute changes.