Your domain name is an essential part of your branding and the gateway to your website. A good web address can provide absolute credibility whilst a subpar one will make your website look questionable. An integral part of your domain name is its extension or top-level domain (TLD). The most obvious examples of TLDs are .com and .net and they are enlisted to recognise various aspects of your website like location, owner and purpose.
Choosing the perfect TLD depends on your business, its purpose and the products or services you offer. Here, we are going to talk about TLDs in the hope of helping you choose the perfect one for your business:
The one you choose depends on your needs
When it comes to effective domain name registration you should always choose the option that best suits your business or organisational needs. Naturally, the most common extensions like .com or .net are effective, but you also have other options at your disposal.
For example, you might run a specific educational or governmental organisation, in which case you can use a sponsored TLD. These will read like .edu and .gov and have restrictions on the kinds of businesses or organisations that can enlist them (they typically have to operate within those areas).
If you would like a TLD that directs local traffic to your website (i.e. local customers to your Australian website) then you can enlist a country code TLD (ccTLD). There are an endless array of TLDs at your disposal that go beyond the classic .com and .net – think about your business and which one is most suitable for you!
The most common TLDs on the Internet
The domain name system (DNS) is always welcoming new TLDs to its server. Therefore, you should have little trouble acquiring a sleek and stylish extension regardless of whether your dream one has already been taken. But, if you really wish to have a TLD like .com or .store then you may still be able to buy it from the current owner. This can be a little bit expensive but it can also provide great rewards due to its stylish and memorable aesthetic.
The most common extensions found online are:
- .com: This is easily the most popular TLD on the Internet and was originally created for commercial businesses. It can now be used by any individual or business found on the Internet.
- .org: This is typically enlisted by non-profit organisations but today absolutely anyone can register this extension.
- .biz: Naturally intended for business usage.
- .net: The .net TLD was intended for use by networks but is now available for anyone to register.
- .edu: This remains a restricted TLD that can only be used by educational institutions and related fields.
- .gov: The .gov extension is also restricted to use by governmental organisations.
- .au (or other country codes): Like .edu and .gov country codes like .com.au are typically restricted to businesses and organisations in the country in which they are located.
So, which way should you go?
Choosing your extension doesn’t have to be the hardest part about creating your website. The only real downside is if you come up with an awesome idea only to have it shut down when someone else already owns it.
If this is the case but you really want that extension then you might like to try and buy it from its owner. If not, you can always use an industry-specific domain name extension that will have a far greater chance of being available for use (think .gallery for an art store or .cafe for a coffee roaster).
