When starting a new website, one of the most challenging things to choose is the domain; after all, with it, your visitors will have access to your entire website, and it will “mark” your brand in the memory of visitors.
Whether due to unavailability or indecision, the domain that will be chosen may not suit your taste or the taste of your users. The choice of domain also affects the SEO strategy.
But assuming you’ve chosen the domain name, you still have one other choice to make: its extension.
And of all the extensions that exist, two generally stand out. They are .com and .net .
But what’s the difference between you choosing one over the other? What does this change for your website or your customers?
What are extensions?
Domain names are website addresses that Internet users use to access your website on the internet. In other words, it’s what your visitors will type into their browser to access your site. For example saninternet.com
Domain names come in various extensions such as.com, .org, .net, and much more.
You can freely pick a domain name from these extensions to create a website; however, these extensions were made to distinguish between different websites.
Choose a domain name extension that suits your business and, at the same time, helps you create a brand and authority that is recognized in your market area.
Now, without further ado, let’s compare the difference between .com vs. .net domain extensions and find out which is the best extension for your type of business!
Difference between .com vs .net domain names
.com and .net are two of the most common & popular domain name extensions on the internet. If your domain name extension with .com is unavailable, many tools that generate the domain name will suggest .net as an alternative.
However, it may not be a suitable alternative for your business in most cases.
.com in URLs symbolizes commercial domain names. That is all business websites, websites that make money online, personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and almost any other website that has a function related to these.
On the other hand, the. net in URLs represents “network.” It is recommended and suitable for internet service providers, email, and network services.
When should you choose a .com domain name?
The .com top-level domain (TLD) extension has become synonymous with the internet & it’s the most preferred choice for most websites. More than 46% of all domain names registered worldwide are .com domains.
The main reason for this is that this extension is more effortless for users to remember than any other. Due to the enormous popularity of .com domain names, they are also easier to identify, promote and help you grow your business.
If you are looking to develop any commercial website, always try to use a .com domain extension. Thus, it gives you a simple and easy-to-remember address and makes your website look more professional and “objective.”
When should you choose a .net domain name?
The .net domain extension is intended for internet providers, networks, website/database/email hosting, or other related services.
You can make use of a .net domain name if it suits your brand. However, you will need some different marketing knowledge and planning to do so.
An example of this practice is Behance.net. It is an online design community that uses a .net domain extension for its website.
The idea of the site is precisely to be a network of artists, designers, and companies looking for talent, so the use of the .net domain is well justified.
Almost 4% of all domains registered on the internet use the .net domain extension.
Domain name registrars have begun to introduce .net and other domain extensions as alternatives to .com. This ends up giving the impression that the extension is used more than it is.
Which one is best for SEO?
Google claims that generic TLD extensions are treated like any other TLD in the search engine. You’ll need to focus only on SEO best practices and create content that collaborates and helps you rank better in search engines.
The influencing part is your domain name and not its extension.
How to buy a domain name?
If you want to make a website, then you also need website hosting.
Look for a website hosting that is optimized and prepared to support your entire environment.
Steps to buy a domain name:
- Choose a Reliable Domain Registrar
- Find a Domain Availability Checker Tool
- Choose the Best Domain Name Option
- Purchase Your Domain Name and Complete Its Registration
- Verify Ownership of Your New Domain
Conclusion
It is common to get confused with some options and features when choosing the domain of our website; after all, it is not so simple to decide which name will carry your brand.
But some details should receive more attention, even if they seem irrelevant. This is the case with domain extensions.
However, .com is the better choice when comparing it with .net. It appears more credible because .com domain extensions have become the default domain extension.
Do you want to build your WordPress website on a .com domain extension? Let us help you!
If you still have any questions, feel free to comment. We will be happy to answer you!
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