What to choose when .com is taken?

[markfromslo]

I often run into the situation when I'm looking at a name and the .com is taken, but one, some or all of the following are available: .net, .org, .info, .us, .info.

I have trouble gauging which would be the best investment. I know it depends upon what the name is, but can I get some general opinions on this?

One particular example I'm looking at now would be the following (with a made up name, but similar idea): SolarKitcom. Assume that one is taken and all the others are available. Which would be best and why?

 

[scrsteven]

I always take .net 2nd.

 

[simpsons]

2: .net
3: .org
4: .info
5: .us

P.S. You wrote .info twice!

 

[markfromslo]

Guess I really like .info!

I read recently that .net is now mostly only desirable for techie sites. No?

Also, speaking of .info, I keep reading that valuations for those are really rising.

2: .net
3: .org
4: .info
5: .us

P.S. You wrote .info twice!

 

[cache]

what about a .com name but a little variant SolarKitxx.com?

 

[markfromslo]

what about a .com name but a little variant SolarKitxx.com?

Possibly, but for the sake of this discussion, let's assume I have to have the name as is.

What about .info in the case of something like LearnSolar.info. Would that not be better than LearnSolar.net?

What about a business that leases solar. Would LeaseSolar.biz be better than LeaseSolar.net or LeaseSolar.info?

 

[MpicZ]

AFter .com .net is always a good choice.

 

[markfromslo]

AFter .com .net is always a good choice.

I wonder why DNJournal.com doesn't report many .net's in the high dollar sales area. Seems like .info is doing real weel, and of course .coms, but I harldy ever see .nets.

 

[MpicZ]

But on a serious note .info's are good with some names but overall .net's are more valuable.

 

[markfromslo]

What is the general consensus of .biz and .org?

Do the people who need .org's really ever pay enough fro them, since they are generally nonprofit organizations?

And what's the future of .biz?

Let's say that I could get MaidService.biz. Would that not be a good use of .biz, one that signals I'm in the business of providing maid service? .info would certainly not work here. .US could work in the US. .Net? I guess with what everyone is saying, it should work.

But what about .biz here?

 

[floatingworld]

You have given an example which is a business site.
Keep on the .com track. Don't go biz.
Instead register a variation on your chosen name eg newmaidservice.com

 

[Midano]

What to choose when .com is taken?

Another .com

 

[armin]

take .net of .com is taken, if .net is taken to then get org.

 

[faisj]

2: .net
3: .org
4: .info
5: .biz

 

[zouzas]

I wonder why DNJournal.com doesn't report many .net's in the high dollar sales area. Seems like .info is doing real weel, and of course .coms, but I harldy ever see .nets.

because there is none ,,,,.net is worthless

 

[markfromslo]

because there is none ,,,,.net is worthless

That seems to fly in the face of everyone else's opinions here. I'd really like to find a definitive answer on this.

 

[Maverick]

If it's a name that you really want and don't want to think up another one that might have the .com available then go with the .net extension. I've done this a couple of times and have never (*knock on wood*) regretted the decision.

 

[namewaiter]

because there is none ,,,,.net is worthless

i second that

 

[-db-]

What is your target audience? Is it a specific country?

If so, then I would consider choosing .US - .DE - .CO.UK - .IN - .CO.IN etc.

I strongly believe a country code TLD is one of the best ways to distinguish & separate yourself from the pack, if the .com is already taken. The ccTLD's will continue to play an ever increasing role on the web in the future.

If you are not targeting a specific country, then .INFO or .BIZ are great alternatives to .net for a worldwide audience. It depends on the site content which is a more appropriate fit, but these newer extensions are only starting to tap their enormous potential.

 

[tajimd]

i would better suggest you go for a variation of names like with a hypen in between or something else, but if u wanna have the same domain then i would suggest u go for .biz or .info. this would be better option