What are Domain Extensions and How do I Choose the Right One?

Domain extensions have been around since the internet began. It is the end to a web address, the .com, .net, .org, to name a few. For a couple dozen years, people have been snatching up these names right and left. Some use their domain names, others have bought them long ago and forgotten about them, some buy to sell. These extensions may not seem important, as long as the domain name you want is available, but that's just not true. The domain extension says something about your website, just like the domain name.


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What is a domain extension? What is a domain name?

A domain extension is the suffix at the end of a web address, like .com or .net. A domain name is part of a network address that identifies it belongs to a particular domain. For example, in the URL www.SkyberryStudio.com, the .com is the domain extension and SkyberryStudio is the domain name.

What's in a name?

If you have searched for a domain name, you may have noticed there are more choices for extensions that just .com.  And chances are, when you searched for a domain name, the one you wanted was already taken in .com so you may have opted for one of the "recommendations" from the domain service provider, such as a .net or .org extension. However, did you know that the extension you choose gives users information about your website before they even go to it? These so called "recommendations" are merely search results that turned up with the same name or similar name, with the extensions that are still available - after all, their goal is to sell.

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Each domain extension has a specific meaning and some domain extensions are not suitable for every type of website. The first step to choosing a domain name is picking a good, memorable & relevant name. The second, which is often overlooked, is choosing a domain extension. Then, the third should be securing that domain. The key to the second step, is understanding domain extensions and what each one means. There are over 280 domain extensions currently available, with more added occasionally. Let's take a look at the popular domain extensions.

.com

The most popular choice of domain extensions and represents the word 'commercial'. Most businesses choose a .com because it is a highly recognized symbol for having an internet presence and is suitable for almost every type of website.

.net

Represents the word 'network' and is mostly used by internet service providers or businesses that are directly involved in the infrastructure of the internet. However, over the years, some businesses have chosen .net simply because .com was already taken.

.org

Primarily used by non-profit groups or trade associations since .org represents the word 'organization'.

.gov

Used by government agencies and is not publicly available since .gov represents the word 'government'. For instance, you may have seen .gov used by your local City government, public schools or major government agency.

What to do when the domain you want is taken

When the domain name you want with .com is already taken, and the four most popular domain extensions are not a good fit for you, you have two choices. Option one, choose a less popular domain extension or option two, choose a new name and start the search again. Let's look at the meanings of these less popular, but still relevant, domain extensions.

.info

Used for informational style websites and signifies that the website is a resource website. It is also the most popular domain extension beyond .com, .net and .org.

.biz

Used for small business websites. .biz represents the word 'business'.

.us

One of the newer extensions and is for American websites and is a popular choice for American individuals who are registering their full name, such as www.yourname.us, often a good choice for a resume-style website or personal blog. This extension also has one of the largest amounts of available names in its inventory. Many countries have their own extensions that you may have seen, such as .uk (United Kingdom) or .de (Germany).

Multiple domain names

Less popular domain extensions are sometimes registered as a means of alternate URLs that get redirected to the main website URL. This is a practice some use to keep others from registering a domain name similar to their own to keep their brand from being confused with another.

Want to know more? Watch the video

Visit Skyberry on YouTube to watch 'What are Domain Extensions and How do I Choose a Domain Extension?' presented by Creative Director, Lacey Johnston.