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?

 

[domainprince]

Hypen may ruin the domain, so better get .net or .org if no .com.

 

[harkster]

For sure, don't go for a .us. They will never be worth anything.

 

[AHA7]

For sure, don't go for a .us. They will never be worth anything.

I don't agree with you on that.
My choises would be .com>>>.net>.us>.info :imho:

 

[-db-]

I think hark's reply was tongue-in-cheek, and he is actually a .US supporter.

 

[markfromslo]

I appreciate everyone's responses. But I think I might be more confused than ever!

 

[wasistdas]

I agree. Better try to find another .com. If not, go .net and then .info. FOr some projects .org are ok. .biz is not that good atm, but who knows, maybe in future. Anyway, if your future project is a promosing one register all possible generic TLDs with the name.

 

[harkster]

I think hark's reply was tongue-in-cheek, and he is actually a .US supporter.

Firmly implanted. A sideways comment on the responses.

Actually, it should depend on what you are doing. The .com is always (in todays world) best. If an informational site use .info. If UScentric (made up word) use the .us. I have no problem with .biz. My last would be .net unless the project had something to do with networking (not in the computer sense but bisiness sense).

I find it interesting reading the posts which do nothing but badmouth the .net and then recommend it as second choice.

SEO and CONTENT are more important than the exact extension once you move away from the .com.


:imho:

 

[DOMiNIC]

I find it interesting reading the posts which do nothing but badmouth the .net and then recommend it as second choice.

SEO and CONTENT are more important than the exact extension once you move away from the .com.


:imho:

Well Said

 

[admans]

Its quite simple, if u got the name which suits the network kinda site or is a techie site...go for .net,

if your site is an organization or a company...or part of the n/w of comp. go for .org

if your site deals with resources or info. kinda site...go wid .info ....

If ur site is geagraphic specific..and targeted fer US ppl..go fer .us...

dont go for the normal concept that if .com is not available go fer .net then .org then .info and .us....

Keep ur site in mind and then decide..which domain ext. would really define ur site's main contect....go fer dat..irrespective of wat the ext. is....

 

[markfromslo]

Here's some non .com's of mine that I think work well. Could I get comments as to if I'm on the right track?

PerfectSkin.us -- good for a US cosmetic surgery group. (all other TLD's were taken and this was available)

Journaling.org -- good for user group of people who write journals (there are many)

Remodels.biz -- good for a remodeling contractor

NanoBioMedicine.info -- good for site explaining this concept

 

[bluesman]

Despite what newbies such as the two-letter .us, .tv or .ws people tell you, only those in the three-letter only realm - headed by .com, of course - will always be king.

Therefore a .net is always the best second choice.

The .org position takes up the rear as a last resort. (Although it's still a fine three-letter TLD, because of the way it sounds .org - as in "orgre" or "orgy" - has often been made fun of in movies, TV and by the media in general.)

But nobody laughs when you say .com or .net.

(As for .biz, that's fine if you're going to run a special business thing, but the average person [and potential domain name buyer] is not.)

 

[harkster]

Here's some non .com's of mine that I think work well. Could I get comments as to if I'm on the right track?

PerfectSkin.us -- good for a US cosmetic surgery group. (all other TLD's were taken and this was available)

Journaling.org -- good for user group of people who write journals (there are many)

Remodels.biz -- good for a remodeling contractor

NanoBioMedicine.info -- good for site explaining this concept

PerfectSkin.us -- very nice name -- .us second only to .com -- how about skin treatment creams, wrinkle removers, natural/organic products etc. Tons of options targeting the US market.

Journaling.org -- good match for stated use.

Remodels.biz -- nice -- Big business. I have a neighbor who makes nice $$$ buying fixer-upers -- new carpet, paint etc. & flip out for nice profits. Would also work as a .us.

NanoBioMedacine.info -- good fit for your projected use.
-------------------------------
I do have 1 partially developed .net. title is 'Van Briggle Collectors network'. The .info is redirected to the net.

 

[-db-]

Despite what newbies such as the two-letter .us, .tv or .ws people tell you....

If you followed the industry in the past couple years you would be aware of the significant players and sales involved in some of the extensions you refer to. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but calling people "newbies" just because they support extensions outside the com-net-org arena is an insult, and highlights your own lack of knowledge on the topic.

Anyway, welcome to NamePros and welcome to 2005.

:blink:

 

[Invictus]

Choose whatever is most appropiate for you as admans said.

.com is always most popular, .biz is not too appropiate if you are making a bio of yourself on the net, .org is fine, only retarded people call it .orgy

.net is probably the 2nd choice to go

 

[markfromslo]

(just out today)

Use of ".US" Domain Name Extension Rises Sharply

By Gene J. Koprowski
E-Commerce Times
11/23/05 5:00 AM PT

"Many organizations, especially those based overseas, are strengthening their identity in American markets with a .US domain," said Christian Zouzas, one of the largest .US domain holders. "As the extension grows in popularity, the value of owning a .US domain increases dramatically."

The sky’s the limit when you can work wirelessly. Discover the HP Compaq Notebook nx6110 featuring Intel® Centrino Mobile Technology and exclusive HP ProtectTools technology. Just $999 after $225 instant savings.

The usage of ".US" domain extensions is sharply rising, with organizations switching to alternative top level domain extensions rather than ".com" to bolster their online brand with American audiences, according to Sedo.com, a leading online marketplace for the sale of domain names, based in Cambridge, Mass.

According to data from the ".US" registry, the number of new ".US" registrations increased by 21 percent in the third quarter of 2005 versus the second quarter of this year. Over the past year, ".US" registry DNS lookups have increased by 250 percent to approximately 10 billion per month.

Foreign Purchases Growing

Sedo said it is supporting a number of ".US" sales to foreign companies, including Viva Technology (Viva.us), a German-based publishing solutions provider; Dialogue Language School (language.us and languages.us), a Belgian-based dialogue language school; and EasyCar Ltd. (EasyCar.us), a Britain-based car rental company.

Other high-profile ".US" extensions registered by foreign companies include volvocars.us, hitachi.us, ikea.us and vuarnet.us.

This week, Sedo sold the the URL foods.us for US$20,000 to Natural Foods Inc. from domain-owner Christian Zouzas (www.got.us).

Christian Zouzas, one of the largest .US domain holders, has posted more than 200 ".US" domains for sale on Sedo.com, including -- movies.us, America.us, property.us and bingo.us, among others.
Americans Still Like '.com'

"Outside the United States and most notably across Europe, most domain extensions are affiliated with the country in which the company operates. However, in the U.S., the standard is the .com extension," said Matt Bentley, chief executive officer of Sedo.com. "Many organizations, especially those based overseas, are strengthening their identity in American markets with a .US domain. As the extension grows in popularity, the value of owning a .US domain increases dramatically."

According to Zouzas, companies across all markets are now considering domains with ".US" extensions, especially those looking to enhance their marketing initiatives and grow their U.S. customer base. "More companies are contacting me and researching domains available on Sedo.com, as they recognize the opportunity to drive their U.S. presence with a new .US domain name," said Zouzas.

.... more

<link to article>

 

[namewaiter]

mr. ZOUZAS already responded in this here thread!

 

[mole]

The good thing about the Internet today is you have nice choices for your domain names.

Pre-2000, everything centered around .COM, .NET, .ORG - and getting onto the "WWW" and "surfing" was itself considered an achievement and a special thing in its own right.

Things are different today.

When you are hungry, you no longer have to depend on MacDonald's or that old dowdy eatery down at the corner of the street, the food street now has flavors from every corner of the world to suit every taste, preference and budget.

Internet addressing is becoming like that, the repressive regime of Saddam Hussein is dead, the no-choice regime of .COM is dying fast.

The king is dead. Long live the king.

 

[namewaiter]

When you are hungry, you no longer have to depend on MacDonald's or that old dowdy eatery down at the corner of the street, the food street now has flavors from every corner of the world to suit every taste, preference and budget.

But McDonalds numbers are better then their competitions combined, hell I don't like fast food but guess what I had for dinner last night? Yep, a Big Mac and fries!

 

[mole]

But McDonalds numbers are better then their competitions combined, hell I don't like fast food but guess what I had for dinner last night? Yep, a Big Mac and fries!

McDonald's is losing serious foodshare worldwide and despite trying to contort itself out of perma-stagnation with 'I'm lovin' it' marketing wonk, the writing's on the toilet wall for them - 'choice is better than cheese'.

 

[zouzas]

an interesting story ,,at the time of registration the .com was available with a (-) the info/biz were also available without the (-)they picked .US ,,personally i think .info would have been the choice based on the sites content imo.

since august under overture name with .US extension gets 179k thats 179 thousand monthly searches "with extension",,,,,,moral of the story doesn;t matter what the extension is typeinns happen in any extension



the name and site is maybe even posted here before

www.FamilyWatchDog.US

179262 familywatchdog.us
2760 familywatchdog.us search.asp
616 familywatchdog.us showmap.asp