When looking to buy a domain for your business, you have two difficult decisions to make.
First you need to choose the right domain. A domain is the word that users type into a search engine in order to find a website. Essentially, your digital street address.
Second, you need to choose a domain extension to go with your domain. A domain extension is the combination of characters following the domain and period.
With millions of domain and domain extension combinations, how do you choose what is best for you and your business? Today we discuss different types of domain extensions, TLD’s and if you still need a .com TLD for your business in 2022.
What is a TLD?
A TLD, or top level domain, is the second part of a domain name. They are sometimes also called domain extensions or domain endings.
There are exactly 1,532 different TLD’s to choose from according to ICANN. Just about any word you could use as the TLD for your business. No really, some registered TLD’s are .yoga, .biz, .info, .club, etc. However, the most common TLD in the world is .com, about 53.3% of domain names registered include .com.
Other very popular TLD’s are .gov, .net, .edu, and .org. Another popular option are country code top level domains, or ccTLD’s, such as .uk (United Kingdom), .ca (Canada), .de (Germany), .us (United States), etc.
Why is .COM So Popular?
The .com was introduced way back in 1985, originally intended for commercial websites. It was one of the first set of top-level domains introduced, along with .edu, .gov, .mil, .org and .arpa. When the majority of the public began using the Internet, the .com had already been established as the go-to standard of what a domain name should be.
Now, nearly 40 years later, there are over 160 million .com domains registered around the world!
.COM vs. Other TLD’s
When it comes down to choosing a domain for your business, you need to weigh all of your options. You need to choose a domain that fits your budget, your business, will attract your target audience and help with SEO.
That said, there is a difference between owning a .COM domain and another TLD or domain extension.
The most important factor in choosing is probably your target audience. Are they tech savvy individuals who are familiar with and appreciate various domain extensions? Or, are they the general public who might interpret a different domain extension as untrustworthy? You need to consider your target audience and specific industry and determine what domain would be best to cater to their needs. For example, if you were a photographer looking for a domain name JeffreyGabriel.com would not really convey your brand to users. However, JeffreyGabriel.photos, or JeffreyPhotos.com, would. It depends on your industry and what your audience is looking for.
Some factors to keep in mind when choosing a domain name and domain extensions:
- Memorability – How likely is it that users will remember your website and be able to type it in later or recite it to others? How can you make it easier for your target audience to remember?
- Length & Spelling – The shorter and easier your domain is to spell, the easier it is for users to remember.
- Brandability – Are you looking for an exact match domain name for your brand? Or a keyword domain to match your industry?
Do I Still Need a .com TLD For My Business?
The simple answer to this question is no, you do not need a .com TLD for your business to be successful. However, there are many factors to be considered.
There is cost, business goals, target audience, etc. when finding a domain name – it really depends what you want to achieve with the name. If you are a global company with hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend, a .com domain will solidify your status as a reputable company. If you are a smaller company looking to buy your first domain to slowly build an online presence, then a non .com TLD might be the better option for you to start!
We understand choosing a domain name can be one of the most difficult parts of building a business. But, do not just settle on any domain or extension and rush the process. Take your time to choose the name, and domain extension, that is right for you.
Ask Your Domain Broker
Domain brokers are there for you!
A domain brokers job is to help you understand all your options while acquiring or selling a domain – and to be transparent through the process. Through your domain choosing and branding to the acquisition process, brokers are there to answer all of your questions. If you are unsure about what domain extension to pair with your business, your domain broker can help give you options based on your business, budget, future goals, etc.
About Saw.com
At Saw.com, we love domains and everything they encompass. With over twenty years of experience in the industry, we have made it our mission to help companies and organizations understand digital assets’ role in the ever-changing internet landscape, every step of the way. We specialize in domain acquisition, appraisal, company naming, branding, brand protection, portfolio management services and more.
No matter the nature, stage, or size of your company, we believe in helping you be seen online and we pride ourselves in our transparency through the entire process. If you are interested in speaking with an expert from our domain brokerage service about buying a domain, contact us! Our domain brokers would love to speak with you.
