Domain Registration: How To Choose the Proper Extention

[user-7256]

This is a VERY frequent question, guess I'll post what I strongly believe in here.

Generally, .com is ALWAYS the best way to go. However, there ARE many exceptions!

- An organization. If you are going to run a non-profit site which sole purpose is NOT to just display/present information, but to offer services or a gathering of some type as an organization, get .org.

- A network. In this case, get both .com and .net if you can. I run a network of websites where the hub is at a .net address mainly, but the .com is also under my control. Get .com and .net.

- A country-specific site. Here, again, get both the .com and the CCTLD (country coded top level domain, e.g. .cc, .co.uk, .us, etc) if available. CCTLDs are also shorter in most cases (2 characters like .us instead of 3 like .com) and to me, if the extention fits, it's worth something.

- Idiomatic phrasing and/or verbal pronunciation. Example, "Domain.name" is a great domain to register because it verbally and even visually makes sense. So does "ComeJoinWith.Us" ... but "ComeJoinWith.Com" is nonsense. Unless extremely premium, these domains are only brandable to an extent. Use caution.


Maybe I'll update this later. Any opinions?

 

[kjmz]

That's basically what I go by too, the only exception is if an extension is free (like .be) than if you don't want to spend any money you should go with that.

 

[user-7256]

Free extentions have zero value... Though I agree it's good to at least HAVE some... e.g. I have Financing.tk and BusinessMarketing.be :p Just not worth anything resale.

 

[kjmz]

Free extentions have zero value... Though I agree it's good to at least HAVE some... e.g. I have Financing.tk and BusinessMarketing.be :p Just not worth anything resale.

That's not exactly true though, that guy on this forum got $225 for his .be. There are many special times where you domain may actually be worth a lot but you have to get lucky and register the right one. I've never done it though but hopefully in the near future. It's also fun to have some free domains because you know that you can use them whenever you want and you don't have to be worrying about them.

 

[tajimd]

Free domains are actually something u can have but they wont earn u money. especially it does not even looks good if u use your business id with a free domain. A Registred domain is more worth valuable than a free .be or .tk ,

 

[WhiteWebServices]

I'm glad that you stressed the importance of controlling the .com, even you're using a different .tld. If you don't, you'll lose visitors by people typing in the wrong extension, and someone else gets to benefit from all your hard work.

 

[tetrapak]

What is the best extension for a photo site (after .com) ? Imo its .net, but not sure.