Domain Extensions

In 1985, only nine domain extensions existed. Up until the 90s, about nine or ten domain extensions were added each year. After that, it was off to the races.

As of the latest update to this article, you can choose from around 2,000 domain extensions (you can see the entire list on the IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) website). Note that every single time we’ve updated this article, that number has grown.

The strange thing is that despite the continued growth in availability of domain extensions, you probably only know a handful of them: .com, .gov, .net, .org, .edu, then maybe some country domain extensions like .us.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. We’ll explain 📚 what domain extensions are in just a moment.

After that we’ll discuss why so many domain extensions exist, the differences in their pricing and their impact on your SEO efforts. We’ll then give you a practical guide on how to choose a domain extension for your website, blog, or business.

Let’s get to it!

What are domain extensions? 🤔

Domain extensions, also known as TLDs, or top-level domains, are the part of a domain that comes after the final dot. For example, ours is .com. And while .com is the most well-known option, you actually have a ton of options when it comes to domain extensions, which is why you might be looking for some help making your choice.

We’re definitely going to help you, but as we mentioned in the introduction, there are now around 2,000 domain extensions. This means that we can’t realistically review every single one of them. So, before moving on, let’s first address the elephant in the room: why are there so many of them?

Here’s why so many domain extensions exist 💡

Some domain extensions have an obvious purpose – like .blog, while others might seem a little strange at first – like .gs. Generally, all the domain extensions you see are designed to complete one or more of these functions:

  • Help with branding for an individual company or an entire industry – Like .aarp or .realtor.
  • Indicate that a website is located in a certain country. This is useful for companies that only serve those countries and to break up the Internet into languages and currencies – Think .cz for the Czech Republic or .de for Germany.
  • Serve a specific community, based on geographic location, ethnic, technical, or other categories. The .asia domain extension is a good example, since it focuses more on a regional community as opposed to one country.
  • Restrict usage of the top-level domain for people or organizations in a certain group. Take .edu, for example. You’re only able to use that domain extension if you run an accredited educational institution. The same can be said for many country or regional domains, where you must be a citizen of, or have a business in, the country.
An example of a restricted domain extension is .us

To help you grasp this even further and provide you with a top-level overview of how domain extensions are organized, we’ll share the five most common types below.

Generic top-level domains (gTLDs)

These are the most common domain extensions and are not specific to any country or region. Examples include .com (commercial), .net (network), .org (organization), and .info (information).

Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs)

These extensions are specific to a particular country or territory. Each country has its own two-letter code, such as .us (United States), .uk (United Kingdom), .th (Thailand), .za (South Africa), .pl (Poland), .ro (Romania), .sk (Slovakia), and so on. They are commonly used by businesses and organizations targeting specific countries.

Sponsored top-level domains (sTLDs)

These domain extensions are operated by private organizations or industry groups. Examples include .gov (government), .edu (educational institutions), and .mil (U.S. military). These extensions serve specific purposes and have eligibility criteria.

Infrastructure top-level domain (iTLD)

This is a special type of domain extension used for technical infrastructure purposes. An example is .arpa (Address and Routing Parameter Area), which is used for Internet infrastructure-related operations.

New generic top-level domains (new gTLDs)

In recent years, numerous new domain extensions have been introduced to offer more options for website owners. These include extensions like .tech, .shop, .blog, and many others. These new gTLDs allow website owners to choose more descriptive and industry-specific domain names.

So, which domain extensions can you use for your website? 🖥️

That depends on what type of organization you’re running and which domain name extension you’re looking at.

👉 Domain extensions are either considered:

  • Restricted – you need to meet certain criteria to purchase one of these domain name extensions. Many of them have been paid for (sponsored) by an organization or set aside for certain groups.
  • Unrestricted – anyone can purchase a domain name with one of these extensions.

If you search on a domain name registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap, you can pretty much guarantee that most of the results are unrestricted extensions:

Example of different domain extensions offered by GoDaddy.

One of the only types of restricted domains sold through sites like GoDaddy is a country domain extension. So, .us can be bought directly online, but you must prove that you’re a permanent resident of the United States.

As for most restricted top-level domains, you typically need to be part of an organization, industry, region, or another type of group to get the domain extension. In addition, you’re required to contact the top-level domain owner and walk through their unique vetting and purchasing process.

A great example is the .aero domain extension. This top-level domain was paid for, and is now sponsored by, an organization called Societe Internationale de Telecommunications Aeronautique (SITA). This sponsor has rules on its top-level domain, saying that in order to use it your company must be in the air transportation industry.

Pricing of a .com vs other domain extensions 💰

There’s a good deal 🤑 of variation in the price of different domain name extensions. For example’s sake, let’s go back and look at our “best store ever” search:

Price range of various domain extensions showing the wide range of possibilities.

You could spend as little as one cent if you go with .co or as high as $999.99 if you choose .inc. That’s a pretty significant investment difference for most people. If you’re a large company with an equally large budget, then money might be less of a consideration compared to brand identity and SEO optimization (more on that in the next section).

In general, for most unrestricted domains, the pricing is inexpensive. Standard domains with extensions like .com usually cost around $10 to $14 per year.

However some specialty domain extensions or new ones with an explosion in popularity can fetch higher prices. The .ai extension is a perfect example of this. Virtually every registrar offering .ai domain extensions is asking for a minimum two year contract with prices hovering around $60 to $80 per year.

Restricted domains also typically carry a premium price. This all depends on the owner of that top-level domain though, and each top-level domain extension has a different price.

Do domain extensions affect SEO? 📈

Another consideration you need to make besides pricing is how your domain extension choice will impact your performance in search engine rankings. Understanding the relationship between domain extensions and SEO is important for maximizing your online visibility. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

  • Relevance: The relevance of your domain extension to your website’s content can influence search engines’ understanding of your website’s purpose. For example, if you’re running a tech blog, having a domain extension like .tech or .blog can provide a relevant signal to search engines.
  • Trustworthiness: Certain domain extensions, such as .gov, .edu, and .org, are often associated with trustworthy and authoritative websites. While they might not be available for everyone, choosing reputable domain extensions can indirectly impact your website’s credibility.

How to optimize your domain extension for better search rankings

To enhance your website’s SEO potential, you should consider the following factors when selecting your domain extension.

Keyword alignment

One way to optimize your domain extension for better search rankings is by including relevant keywords within it. By incorporating keywords that align with your website’s content and focus, you can signal to search engines what your website is about. For example, if you run a local bakery, choosing a domain extension like .bakery or .cafe can reinforce your business’s niche. This, in turn, can improve its visibility in search results.

Brand identity

Another consideration when selecting a domain extension is aligning it with your brand identity. Opting for a domain extension that reflects your brand name or industry can help establish brand recognition and improve user trust and engagement.

For instance, if your brand name is “AITech,” using a domain extension like .tech can reinforce your brand identity and attract a relevant audience. You could even get creative with it and make your website domain ai.tech. If it’s the reverse and your brand name is “TechAI” then you could do tech.ai – utilizing the .ai extension.

Location targeting

If your business primarily serves a specific geographical area, incorporating location targeting into your domain extension can be beneficial for local SEO efforts. The country-specific domain extensions (ccTLDs) that we introduced earlier can help search engines identify the geographic focus of your website. For instance, using .us or .uk as your domain extension can help your website rank higher in local search results, making it easier for users in those countries to find your business.

By considering keyword alignment, brand identity, and location targeting when selecting your domain extension, you can optimize its impact on your website’s search rankings. Remember that domain extension optimization is just one aspect of a comprehensive SEO strategy. It’s not a magic pill, but if used correctly, alongside high-quality content, relevant keywords, and a user-friendly experience, it can be the needle mover that gets your posts onto page one for certain search queries.

Which of these domain extensions should you go with? 🤜 🆚 🤛

restricted domain extension example.

We just covered a good amount of ground and hopefully you’ve started to form an idea of what goes into choosing a good domain extension. We’ll now share a more step-by-step guide on how to go about it.

To start the process, consider what type of business or organization you’re trying to represent online.

If it’s in a certain industry, you might be able to apply for a restricted domain extension – like a real estate agent applying for the .realtor extension.

Similarly, if you’re only conducting business in a certain country, you might want to stand out with a country-based extension like .us. Beyond branding, you can also use a country-specific domain name to indicate to Google that your site targets that region (as we explained in the previous section).

Finally, if you’re targeting people around the world, then your best bet is to use an unrestricted domain extension.

👉 For this, you have a few options:

  1. Try to get a standard unrestricted domain extension like .com or .net
  2. Consider a unique unrestricted domain that relates to your business
  3. Get really creative

1. Try to get a standard unrestricted domain extension like .com or .net

There’s nothing wrong with these, as long as you’re not choosing .net because another company has the same domain as you. That’s a branding nightmare if there are two websites with nothing different but a domain extension.

Other than that, you can go with a .com or .net domain extension if it’s available. The .coms of the world are easy to remember as long as whatever you put in front of the .com is short and to the point.

2. Consider a unique unrestricted domain that relates to your business

This is where you can really specify what it is you do. An online store might enjoy the .store option, while a country club could go with .club to show some exclusivity in the domain name.

3. Get really creative

Delicious, the pinboard blog, has one of the most unique domain names out there. It utilized the .us domain extension and made its domain name del.icio.us.

Some other examples are great for branding, such as Last.fm (music streaming) and thegreen.diet (a domain stating, literally, what the site sells).

So, I encourage you to think creatively when making your domain and don’t forget about some of those domain extensions that make for branding dreams!

And if you need help, you can always use a blog name generator, or check out some other tips for choosing a domain name.

Domain extensions FAQ 🙋

Who is in charge of domain extensions?

The organization in charge of domain extensions is the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN oversees the management and administration of the domain name system (DNS) and is responsible for approving and regulating top-level domains (TLDs).

What are the five most common domain extensions?

The five most common domain extensions are .com (commercial), .org (organization), .net (network), .edu (education), and .gov (government).

What are the cheapest domain extensions?

The cost of domain extensions can vary depending on the domain registrar and any ongoing promotions or discounts. However, generally speaking, some of the cheaper domain extensions often include .xyz, .online, .site, .tech, and .space.

These extensions are often available at relatively affordable prices compared to more established and sought-after extensions like .com or .net. It’s always recommended to compare prices among different registrars to find the best deals for the specific domain extension you’re interested in.

Can you create your own domain extension?

Technically, it is possible to apply for a new generic domain extension (gTLD) and invent your own. However, this process is regulated by ICANN, and it involves waiting for ICANN to open applications, paying a significant fee (we’re talking north of $100,000), meeting strict requirements, and possessing the technical capacity to act as a registry for the new extension. For most individuals and small businesses, the practicality of creating a new domain extension is limited due to these factors.

Should I buy multiple domain extensions?

Deciding whether to buy multiple domain extensions depends on your specific needs and goals. It can be beneficial to purchase multiple domain extensions to protect your brand, prevent confusion, and secure your online presence.

By owning various extensions, you can redirect them to your primary website, ensuring that users can find you even if they use different domain variations.

However, purchasing multiple domain extensions also incurs additional costs for registration and maintenance. You should consider your budget, branding strategy, and the significance of protecting your online identity before deciding to invest in multiple domain extensions.

Final thoughts on choosing a domain extension 💭

Ultimately, the choice of domain extension should align with your brand, business, or website’s purpose and goals. You should consider the factors we covered in this article. These include who your target audience is, the industry you’re in, and the geographic scope of your website.

While .com is often the default choice for many people, due to its familiarity and wide acceptance, other extensions like .org or country-specific TLDs can be suitable alternatives.

Assess your branding strategy, marketing objectives, and budget to make an informed decision that aligns with your unique requirements and helps you establish a strong online presence.

That wraps up our post! If you have any questions about how or why you might choose a top-level domain, let us know in the comments below.

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