Choosing the Right TLD: Complete Guide to Domain Extensions

Your domain extension (TLD - Top Level Domain) is more than just the ending of your web address. It affects your brand perception, SEO potential, and even your budget. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about choosing the perfect TLD for your project.

Quick TLD Recommendations by Use Case

The Big Three: .com, .net, .org

.com - The Gold Standard

Best for: Any commercial venture, especially B2C

Pros:

• Highest trust and recognition (used by 46% of all websites)
• Best for SEO and memorability
• Universal acceptance
• No restrictions on use

Cons:

• Most .com domains are taken
• Premium domains very expensive ($1,000-$1M+)
• Higher renewal costs than some alternatives

Pricing: $10-15/year (standard), $$$$ for premium

Our take: Always try for .com first. Use Namr to find creative .com options before settling for alternatives.

.net - The Tech Alternative

Best for: Technology, networking, infrastructure companies

Pros:

• Widely recognized and trusted
• Good availability
• Tech-friendly perception
• No use restrictions

Cons:

• Often confused with .com
• Less prestigious than .com
• Not ideal for non-tech brands

Pricing: $10-15/year

.org - The Mission-Driven Choice

Best for: Non-profits, communities, open-source projects

Pros:

• High trust for organizations
• Good for SEO
• Clear non-commercial signal
• Better availability than .com

Cons:

• May seem non-commercial for businesses
• Less suitable for e-commerce
• Can limit business perception

Pricing: $10-15/year

Modern TLDs That Work

.io - The Startup Favorite

Best for: Tech startups, SaaS, developer tools

Pros:

• Strong tech association
• Short and memorable
• Good availability
• I/O (input/output) connection

Cons:

• More expensive than traditional TLDs
• Political controversy (British Indian Ocean Territory)
• May not resonate outside tech

Pricing: $40-60/year

Find available .io domains with Namr →

.co - The Company Alternative

Best for: Startups, companies, corporations

Pros:

• Short alternative to .com
• "Company" association
• Good availability
• Memorable

Cons:

• Often mistaken for .com typo
• Colombian country code (though marketed globally)
• Slightly higher price

Pricing: $20-30/year

.app - The Application Domain

Best for: Mobile apps, web applications, software

Pros:

• Perfect for app developers
• HTTPS required (security built-in)
• Google registry backing
• Clear purpose

Cons:

• Limited to app-related projects
• More expensive
• Newer, less recognized

Pricing: $15-20/year

Industry-Specific TLDs

Technology & Development

• .dev - Developer tools, portfolios ($15-20/year)
• .tech - Technology companies ($10-50/year)
• .ai - Artificial intelligence (premium: $90-120/year)
• .software - Software companies ($30-40/year)

Creative & Design

• .design - Design agencies, portfolios ($30-40/year)
• .art - Artists, galleries ($15-20/year)
• .studio - Creative studios ($20-30/year)
• .media - Media companies ($30-40/year)

E-commerce & Business

• .store - Online stores ($10-50/year)
• .shop - E-commerce sites ($30-40/year)
• .inc - Incorporated businesses (premium: $2,000+/year)
• .biz - General business ($15-20/year)

Geographic TLDs (ccTLDs)

Popular Country Codes Used Globally

• .us - United States ($10-15/year)
• .uk - United Kingdom ($10-15/year)
• .ca - Canada ($15-20/year)
• .au - Australia (requires ABN, $20-40/year)
• .de - Germany (very popular, $10-15/year)

Creative Uses of ccTLDs

• .tv - Television, video (Tuvalu)
• .fm - Radio, music (Federated States of Micronesia)
• .ly - Adverbs (Libya) - e.g., bit.ly
• .me - Personal brands (Montenegro)

SEO Implications of TLDs

Google's Official Position

According to Google, all TLDs are treated equally for SEO. However, real-world data shows:

1. .com still performs best in search results
2. ccTLDs signal geographic relevance (.co.uk ranks better in UK)
3. Exact-match TLDs don't provide advantage (.lawyer doesn't boost legal rankings)
4. Spammy TLDs can hurt (.tk, .cf often associated with spam)

TLD Trust Hierarchy for SEO

1. Tier 1: .com, .org, .net, .edu, .gov
2. Tier 2: .io, .co, major ccTLDs (.uk, .ca, .au)
3. Tier 3: New descriptive gTLDs (.app, .blog, .shop)
4. Avoid: Free/cheap TLDs (.tk, .ml, .ga)

Pricing Comparison

Get a FREE domain with DreamHost hosting →

How to Decide: The TLD Selection Framework

Step 1: Check .com Availability

Always start here. Use Namr to find creative .com variations:

• Add verbs (get-, try-, use-)
• Add descriptors (-hq, -app, -hub)
• Use creative spelling (dropbox → drop.box was taken)

Step 2: Consider Your Audience

• B2C: Stick to .com, .co, or ccTLD
• B2B: .com, .io, .co work well
• Developers: .io, .dev, .app respected
• Local: Country-specific ccTLD

Step 3: Evaluate the Trade-offs

Common TLD Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing Based on Price Alone

Saving $10/year isn't worth losing credibility.

2. Getting Too Creative

YourBrand.consulting sounds professional, but people will type YourBrand.com

3. Ignoring Renewal Prices

Some TLDs have low first-year prices but expensive renewals.

4. Not Securing Multiple TLDs

Competitors can register YourBrand.com if you only buy YourBrand.io

5. Using Hyphens or Numbers

These make domains harder to remember and share verbally.

TLD Security & Restrictions

TLDs with Built-in Security

• .app - HTTPS required
• .dev - HTTPS required
• .page - HTTPS required

Restricted TLDs

• .edu - Accredited educational institutions only
• .gov - Government entities only
• .mil - Military only
• .bank - Verified banks only

Geographic Restrictions

Some ccTLDs require local presence:

• .au - Australian ABN required
• .ca - Canadian presence required
• .eu - EU residency required
• .us - US presence required

Future-Proofing Your TLD Choice

Consider These Factors

1. Brand Protection: Can you afford to buy multiple TLDs?
2. International Plans: Will ccTLD limit expansion?
3. Industry Changes: Will your .app domain work if you pivot?
4. Cost Scaling: Can you afford renewal as you grow?

Recommended Strategy

1. Primary: Get the best available .com
2. Backup: Secure .net or .org version
3. Brand Protection: Buy common misspellings
4. Local: Add ccTLD if targeting specific country

Real-World Success Stories

Companies Using Alternative TLDs Successfully

• Notion.so - Productivity software
• Grab.co - Ride-sharing giant
• Twitch.tv - Streaming platform
• Discord.io (originally) - Chat platform
• Buy.app - App marketplace

The Pattern?

Most successful non-.com domains belong to tech companies with strong brands and marketing budgets.

Making Your Final Decision

Use This Checklist

• Searched thoroughly for .com options
• Considered my audience's expectations
• Checked pricing for 5 years out
• Verified no restrictions apply
• Tested verbal sharing ("visit example dot io")
• Confirmed SSL certificate compatibility
• Budgeted for multi-TLD protection

Take Action: Find Your Perfect Domain

Ready to find the perfect domain with the right TLD?

1. Start with Namr's AI generator →

   • Check availability across all major TLDs
   • Get creative alternatives
   • See real-time pricing

2. Register with our recommended partner →

   • Free domain with hosting
   • Free WHOIS privacy
   • Wide TLD selection

Quick Reference: TLD Decision Matrix

Still unsure? Our domain registration guide walks through the entire process, and our SEO best practices guide explains how to maximize your domain's potential.