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How Do I Choose Between a .com, .org, OR .net Domain Name?

A domain name is what makes our website look professional and what most of the time orientates visitors. A choice of domain extension is very crucial
how do i choose between a .com .org or .net domain

We always rush into getting a domain name every time we want to start a website. A domain name is what makes our website look professional and what most of the time orientates our visitors to what they will have if they visit our website.

Now when rushing into domain names, we don't really know or most often confused of which domain extension to choose for our website. You should first of know that each domain extension is being used for a purpose that will match what your website will have to offer to your audience. So it is really important to make the right decision when it comes to domain extension.

This article will orientate you and direct you to the perfect domain extension to use for your website.

What is a Domain Name and Extension?

A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet. Domain names are used in various networking contexts and for application-specific naming and addressing purposes.

A domain name in simple terms is the address that represents the location of your website. 

An example of a domain is lets say, for this website, we have contents and articles on it. So we have to give a location of this contents on the internet so that our visitors can access them. So we give the domain for the website "aimtuto"

A domain name extension is the last part of a domain name. For example, in "aimtuto.com", the domain name extension is .com. You'll also see domain name extensions referred to as top-level domains (TLDs). 

When it comes to domains, we have top-level-domains (TLDs) which are domains that easily have authority over the web. They are ideal to use if you wish to start a website with no clear knowledge of a webmaster. But these TLDs are expensive from most domain providers.

Choice of a Domain Name

When it comes to domain, we always want to use the best of them and the top 3 most ranking on the list are .com, .net and .org. Amongst all, .com is the most used over the web because it covers a wide range of categories unlike the others which are specific for a website purpose.

Below you will know why and if you should choose a .com, .net or .org domain name for your website. 

Though they all look perfect for website, we recommend a .com extension. Why do we recommend that to you? Read it below. Also want to know when to choose a .net or .org domain extension, read it equally below.

Why do we Recommend a .com Domain Extension?

A .com domain name is the most common extension and still generally carries more significant value for companies. It represents the extensions of a wide range of website domain all over the web and is known for its multipurpose and ranking purposes.

Well this is often because people trying to access your website will assume that it is located under a domain carrying a .com extension which is 50% of most cases out there. People assume most websites they try to access has a .com extension.

Now what you might be wondering and asking yourself is, "does a .com extension give good rankings for search results?"

Though a .com extension is most of the time a preferable extension over other extensions, that doesn't count that much when it comes to rankings in results.

Google’s only reason to prioritize one extension over the other is that Internet users default to .com domains. People often going in for websites with a .com extension will be served results with a .com extensions because Google assumes that is an extension most websites you visit have and as a result, they will serve you most results with .com extensions.

So we can assume could say that a .com extension helps your rankings because users are more likely to click on yourwebsite.com than clicking on yourwebsite.anythingelse because that's the first idea that comes in everyone's mind for all searches except if you are a frequent visitor of the website and that you perfectly know its extension. 

Additionally, .coms are easier to remember, and a person is more likely to type in the wrong URL with other extensions.

When to use a .org Domain Extension

Using other TLDs can be beneficial in some situations. In particular, the .org extension is well-known and trusted and is used by a wide rang of companies and organizations on the internet

.org stands for "organization" and is the primary choice for charity or non-profit websites. The extension is also one of the originals established in 1985, so it’s been around for decades. It was created for anything that wasn’t commercial than is to say, non-profit entities because it is sign of integrity of a website purposes.

However, restrictions were removed in 2019 after the registry changed ownership, allowing for-profit companies to use the extension. Using this extension correctly can give you a great advancement socially. Most visitors or clients see a .org extension as a strict domain for professional serving.

If you choose to use a .org, however, we recommend you to brand your company with the .org tied directly to your name (very important). That’s because, as previously noted, most users assume companies use the .com extension. Attaching a .org extension to your brand directs people to your true website location and avoids accidental search of your website.

As far as search rankings go, the extension performs well but is at times powerless before a competitive website carrying the same name with a .com extension.

When to use a .net Domain Extension

A .net extension is a popular option that’s often recommended to buyers whenever the desired .com domain is taken. 

.net stands for "network" and was originally designed for umbrella websites that serve smaller sites, such as web hosting companies.

If the .com name you want is already taken by someone else, then it will be very important you check out if the current owner of the .com extension of the domain is in the same industry before grapping the   .net. That’s because you don’t want your customers becoming their customers which is kind of frustrating.

In general, the .net extension is trusted and perceived as authoritative by consumers and visitors. It’s also been around enough that people can easily remember it.

From the SEO point of view, .net is better than other specialty extensions. But since it isn’t quite up there with .com and .org extensions, you might not get the same advantages as you get when using the .com and .org extensions.

However, we come to say that if a domain you want with .com extension isn’t available, then we recommend a .net as a perfect and strong second option.

Are Specialty Names Worth It When You Can’t Even Get a .org or .net?

There are hundreds of domain extensions carrying a wide range of extensions that can be very tempting to use whenever the top 3 extension types aren’t acquirable.

More so, most companies think and opt out for these extensions and think it will be a better option for their company.

If you have the time and ability to promote that kind of name, associate it with your brand, and work harder on the your SEO tactics to give the site a chance in rankings otherwise, don't go in for such domains.

Is .co a better alternative to .com, .org or .net?

A .co domain extension could be both better and worse than .net. It’s too close to a .com extension, which is something of a double-edged sword or in simple terms a fake clone.

Why? Well Firstly, the closeness can cause customers to associate it with the same type of COMmercial activities. Secondly, people are far more likely to remember and choose .co domains as a .com, when they are being presented results from their searches.

So it’s best to always go with the .com version if it’s available. You can use .co as a fallback plan and we don't recommend you using that as your first option. It's kind of worst if a .com domain already exist and is taken by someone else.

Choose Reliable over Trending

You may remember when companies used to get creative with country code top-level domains Example (.us for the United States). A few that come to mind include Bit.ly, About.me, which are  domains that obviously are cool, kind of trending and have a considerable trend for organizations using similar extensions for uniqueness.

Unfortunately, these trends didn't last long and are now out of fashion.

Kick start for what you know is reliable rather than choosing an extension that doesn't trend anymore though trended once.

Watch the detailed video on this!

Conclusion

Your domain name is about to become a critical asset to your business and marketing efforts, so it’s important to make an informed decision.

The .com or .org or .net question is only the first thing that needs consideration when you start building your brand online.

Over extensions, below are the points you should consider before grabbing a domain for your business or company

Domains should be: 

  1. Memorable
  2. Short
  3. SEO-friendly
  4. Typeable
  5. On-brand

How is your domain helping your online marketing efforts? Is it time to make a change? Are you rebranding to get more business?

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About the Author

Tebid Kelly is a Graphic Designer, Web Developer, Ethical Hacker, Programmer, and Content Creator who showcases his skills and experience on his blogs. He also has much love for finance apps such as Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, etc on which he ha…
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