The growing use of the internet has made it necessary for businesses to adapt to the online market. To maximize your potential client reach, you will need to create a website that appeals to your audience.
Choosing the right domain extension is as important as creating a domain name. You’ll want to choose a Domain extension that makes a good impression on your online audience and shows your authenticity.
Choosing the Right Domain Extension
The domain extension is the part of your website name that follows the period mark. For example, the .com, .org, .edu, etc. Your domain extension is the visual ending to your domain name and can help your customers easily understand what type of website you have.
With billions of websites out there and spam at an all-time high, web users have become wary of viewing a site that doesn’t seem trustworthy.
For this reason, it’s important to know which extension would best fit your site.
What to Consider When Choosing a Domain Name Extension?
Since there is no magic formula for selecting your perfect domain name extension, we’ve gathered some helpful advice for you to keep in mind. These tips will help you get started with your online reputation and help you send you in the right direction.
Before we move on though, make sure you’ve chosen a strong domain name. If you’re still unsure about the one you’ve got now, here’s a guide to help you choose the perfect one: Blog Name Generators: 10 Best Options Compared
Going With Convention
According to Statista, the .com is the most popular domain extension and is used by almost 48% of websites worldwide. This ideally should be your first choice. It is likely that .com is already in use, so look for other viable options, such as .net, .org, .co, and .us. Click here for more info.
When choosing a domain extension, go with one your online audience can relate to and avoid choosing a domain ext. that might look like spam. It is wise to steer clear of extensions like .gq, .cf, .tk, .ml, .link, as they give your website a strange feel. This can damage your website’s reputation, remember it’s all about perceptions and first impressions. It’s good to be unique, but don’t overdo it. What is Your Website About?
Are you a commercial business, an educational institution, a business organization, or a freelancer? Choosing your domain extension based on your niche is a smart way to go.
This helps create a sense of continuity to your website address and gives your audience an idea of what you are about. For example, .com is ideal for profit-making organizations, .net for networking and technology companies or .edu for academic institutions.
If your website is for a freelance service, a portfolio, or a resume, then the .me extension is best, whereas choosing .org can confuse your audience. Your extension should instantly define your brand’s niche.
Local vs. International Domain Extensions
Using a local domain extension is beneficial when you want to attract a local audience.
For example, say that you are based in the UK and want to order some supplements online. Would you be more inclined to choose an online vitamin and supplements shop that uses .com or .co.uk extension? Most people would choose the .co.uk option first, as it’s likely to be more convenient, cheaper, with reduced shipping costs.
Having a local domain extension may also improve your website’s search ranking since you aren’t competing against .com websites. However, your international audience’s search reach may be limited because of restricted country-specific searches.
Using an international domain, such as .com, .net, and .org, is more common since they tend to rank higher on Google, and search engines trust them. International domains also attract worldwide audiences to your website.
However, using a local domain extension with international business can give the impression that it’s only available in said country, and vice-versa. Keep your target audience in mind when considering a local or international domain extension.
Rounding Up
Choose an extension that speaks to your brand’s purpose. Note that the more demand there is for a particular extension, the more expensive it will be. Go for an extension that fits your budget and avoid choosing something that gives a spam feel.
Remember to keep your audience in mind and know whether to focus on a local or worldwide scale.
We hope you found this information helpful. Good luck!
