Top-level Domains and Their Significance
TLDs, or Top-level domain names are the last part of a website address - the .com in www.blogtipz.com, or the .net and .org in other websites. Each time you register a domain, you must choose what domain suffix you want to use for your website - the three most common choices being .com, .net, and .org.
Why should you be concerned over which domain suffix you choose?
Key Points to Remember When Choosing Your Top-Level Domain (TLD)
- Branding - Domains with suffixes that aren’t typically seen, or geographic and nation-specific domains (.us, .asia, .co.uk, and others) typically aren’t as easy to convince to readers that they should remember the entire domain. Think about the enormous effect this would have on larger sites - Google, for example. If you could only access their search engine through the google.net instead of google.com domain, it would be extremely costly, however you can access the website through multiple points.
- Geo-targeting - If you want to connect with people from a specific country, having a second-level domain extensions may be the better solution. Search engines sometimes favor sites with more country-specific domains, and result in the domain displaying higher in the results.
- Search Engine Ranking - Search engines like Google favor top-level domain names more than second-level domain names, so don’t settle for a lower-ranking domain suffix. When people see the .com instead of a .info, for example, they are more likely to travel to that site simply due to the fact that .com is the universal, commercial domain.
- Marketing/Long-term Potential - Finding someone to buy your domain for a higher price than you paid for it can sometimes be a daunting task, so having a favorable top-level domain could sell a developed site for a few thousand more dollars than one that is on a .info domain. In addition, it’ll be easy to promote your site through PPC marketing or other advertising networks. Again, the factor of brand ability comes into play - how well will people you mention your site to be able to remember it, then use your site to purchase advertising or products (through ads/products you create)?
- Cost Effectiveness - Purchasing multiple domains for your site can be effective in the long-term, as you can build community or additional sub-sites on the .net, .org, etc. versions of your site name. You have to be serious about an individual site concept and stick with it, enabling you to point the alternative (or additional) domains to your main site/blog. However, it may be easier to just stick with one version of your blog until your readership has grown to quite a considerable level or you have plans on expanding your network.
Useful Domaining Terms
These terms often come up when discussing the levels of domains available. Only TLDs are discussed in this post.
- Top-level Domains (TLD) or Top-level Domain Names (TLDN) - The last part of an Internet domain name, for example .com.
- Country Code Top-level Domains (ccTLD) - Country or dependent territory domain suffixes - two letters, for example .uk in Europe.
- Generic Top-level Domains (gTLD) - Specific domains, sometimes restricted to a certain class of organizations.
- Infrastructure Top-level Domains (iTLD) and Sponsored Top-level Domains (sTLD) - Reserved top-level domains, usually not available to the general public, for example .root. May be sponsored by organizations.
Conclusion
The main goal when purchasing a good domain is finding one that suits your blog/website, and doesn’t require a massive amount of branding and marketing to get a unique domain across to your intended audience. You are trying to create the best experience (in finding your site) as possible, with an easy to manage setup on your side.
For example, it makes more sense to use a folder/sub-domain to create a mobile version of your blog, but a .mobi domain can make the mobile version of your blog more accessible - potentially resulting in a higher interest and a higher view of professionalism.
Some people insist that you purchase at least a few domains related to your .com or GeoTLD, so it won’t be as hard to find your blog, however it is more costly: $40+/year versus $10 or less/year and can be difficult if you truly want to develop each site or direct them to one domain. In my opinion, you need to do something that is the most convenient and effective for you. If you’d rather use the country-level domain, then use it. There is no one stopping you from doing so, however it is often said that the .com version is the easiest to promote.
What are your thoughts on each domain level and your personal experience branding and promoting sites/blogs? Is it best to stick with the commercial TLD if available, or use alternative versions - .net, .org, etc. when someone has already taken your preferred .com version?
