There's often confusion about when to choose between .com, .net, and .org.
What criteria do you use to decide which one fits your brand or project best?
Recommended providers: BuyVM - MXroute - LunaNode - Forpsi - IntoVPS
Contact me for all of your Mail-in-a-Box email hosting needs at AnyDomain. I am also a proud reseller of MXroute email.
Generally, only .com has any value in a portfolio (IMHO). I sometimes use other TLDs such as .net, .co.uk as protective registrations and forward these to the .com so someone else can't steal my traffic.
BrandShelter takes care of my business related stuff with DPML so it's just a booteg version of this sans trademark.
I sometimes use TLDs such as .host or .it depending on the project.
For my email aliases, I have a random .com that I use to decrease the likelihood of a website rejecting the address. But for hosting websites, I just get what's available for the use case.
We use .com for website and .dev for documentation etc.
From time to time, someone else registers .net or .org or .cn and tries to sell to us, but we are too broke for these.
.com for everything, then register the same domain with every other extensions so you feel good that no one can steal your brand. Then register all similar/typo names in the same manner. Once you are broke, get a free server from LES giveways and use it with the IP address only
There are many other TLDs out there to choose from, like .shop .io .party .win .sex .wtf and many others. Nowadays imagination and scalpers could be the limits.
@techdragon said:
Generally, only .com has any value in a portfolio (IMHO). I sometimes use other TLDs such as .net, .co.uk as protective registrations and forward these to the .com so someone else can't steal my traffic.
BrandShelter takes care of my business related stuff with DPML so it's just a booteg version of this sans trademark.
I sometimes use TLDs such as .host or .it depending on the project.
@SocksAreComfortable said:
For my email aliases, I have a random .com that I use to decrease the likelihood of a website rejecting the address. But for hosting websites, I just get what's available for the use case.
Makes sense SocksAreComfortable! Thanks for sharing!
@yoursunny said:
We use .com for website and .dev for documentation etc.
From time to time, someone else registers .net or .org or .cn and tries to sell to us, but we are too broke for these.
Thanks, yoursunny! Which option is more expensive, and which one is cheaper?
@yoursunny said:
We use .com for website and .dev for documentation etc.
From time to time, someone else registers .net or .org or .cn and tries to sell to us, but we are too broke for these.
Thanks, yoursunny! Which option is more expensive, and which one is cheaper?
During the last renewal performed in 2024-Aug, our .com domain costed $9.49 and our .dev domain costed $10.16.
Generally, we transfer the domain to a different registrar every year, to take advantage of lower pricing.
However, since the private by design llc incident, we are now avoiding certain registrars with inadequate systems, to avoid headaches.
@techdragon said: I sometimes use other TLDs such as .net, .co.uk as protective registrations and forward these to the .com so someone else can't steal my traffic.
If it's a real business you can use whatever TLD you'd like. Then just trademark the brand name and for the select categories in the region you operate such as euipo for EU.
If the person who bought the .com 20+ years ago but kept it inactive starts to use it, or if someone registers one of the 1000+ other TLD they're not allowed to offer those X category services under the same brand name as you to the EU region basically making their domain name useless.
Trademark in the EU is relatively cheap. I believe it's 750 or 950 EUR for 10 year protection for 2 categories.
For web hosting and most other things related it would be Nice Classification 42
Of course you don't actually need a trademark but it does make it a hell of a lot cheaper to negotiate buying that .com domain, or do takedowns with fiverr expert supreme lawyer.
@yoursunny said:
We use .com for website and .dev for documentation etc.
From time to time, someone else registers .net or .org or .cn and tries to sell to us, but we are too broke for these.
Thanks, yoursunny! Which option is more expensive, and which one is cheaper?
During the last renewal performed in 2024-Aug, our .com domain costed $9.49 and our .dev domain costed $10.16.
Generally, we transfer the domain to a different registrar every year, to take advantage of lower pricing.
However, since the private by design llc incident, we are now avoiding certain registrars with inadequate systems, to avoid headaches.
It sounds like you're really proactive with domain management, especially with taking advantage of lower prices.
Definitely you gave me a new perspective to consider. Thanks!
@techdragon said: I sometimes use other TLDs such as .net, .co.uk as protective registrations and forward these to the .com so someone else can't steal my traffic.
If it's a real business you can use whatever TLD you'd like. Then just trademark the brand name and for the select categories in the region you operate such as euipo for EU.
If the person who bought the .com 20+ years ago but kept it inactive starts to use it, or if someone registers one of the 1000+ other TLD they're not allowed to offer those X category services under the same brand name as you to the EU region basically making their domain name useless.
Trademark in the EU is relatively cheap. I believe it's 750 or 950 EUR for 10 year protection for 2 categories.
For web hosting and most other things related it would be Nice Classification 42
Of course you don't actually need a trademark but it does make it a hell of a lot cheaper to negotiate buying that .com domain, or do takedowns with fiverr expert supreme lawyer.
Thanks for sharing such a thorough response, DB_HTP! Your advice is super helpful and practical.
If you don't care about the perception of the TLD, com and net are both operated by Verisign so there is no practical, technical difference. org is more-or-less run by an equally reliable and capable registry (PIR/ISOC). One might quibble over what you think about their behavior under different historical actions (e.g., SiteFinder in Verisign's case, potential takeover by Ethos in the other).
The registration cost difference between the three should be relatively inconsequential over the long term.
If you can, get your name in all three.
Depends on what the name is used for. com is usually a reasonable choice for most names if you can get it. net is probably the least desirable for general use outside of infrastructure naming, although Juniper seemed to make it work. It may ultimately come down to other things that impact SEO if you're trying to make sure you can be found and indexed.
@jtk said:
In addition to what has been mentioned...
If you don't care about the perception of the TLD, com and net are both operated by Verisign so there is no practical, technical difference. org is more-or-less run by an equally reliable and capable registry (PIR/ISOC). One might quibble over what you think about their behavior under different historical actions (e.g., SiteFinder in Verisign's case, potential takeover by Ethos in the other).
The registration cost difference between the three should be relatively inconsequential over the long term.
If you can, get your name in all three.
Depends on what the name is used for. com is usually a reasonable choice for most names if you can get it. net is probably the least desirable for general use outside of infrastructure naming, although Juniper seemed to make it work. It may ultimately come down to other things that impact SEO if you're trying to make sure you can be found and indexed.
Hi there,
You’ve made some great points regarding the technical reliability of .com, .net, and .org, and I agree that Verisign and PIR/ISOC are solid operators.
Thanks for sharing such a thorough response; your advice is super helpful and practical.
Comments
.com for my business website, or .org if the website is for a non-profit venture.
.net for the services that my business runs.
Generally ... of course sometimes this does not always work out.
Recommended providers: BuyVM - MXroute - LunaNode - Forpsi - IntoVPS
Contact me for all of your Mail-in-a-Box email hosting needs at AnyDomain. I am also a proud reseller of MXroute email.
Generally, only .com has any value in a portfolio (IMHO). I sometimes use other TLDs such as .net, .co.uk as protective registrations and forward these to the .com so someone else can't steal my traffic.
BrandShelter takes care of my business related stuff with DPML so it's just a booteg version of this sans trademark.
I sometimes use TLDs such as .host or .it depending on the project.
I use amadex.com as my web, and amadex.net for nameservers.
Amadex • Hosting Forums • Wie ist meine IP-Adresse? • AS215325
For my email aliases, I have a random .com that I use to decrease the likelihood of a website rejecting the address. But for hosting websites, I just get what's available for the use case.
We use .com for website and .dev for documentation etc.
From time to time, someone else registers .net or .org or .cn and tries to sell to us, but we are too broke for these.
HostBrr aff best VPS; VirmAche aff worst VPS.
Unable to push-up due to shoulder injury 😣
.com for everything, then register the same domain with every other extensions so you feel good that no one can steal your brand. Then register all similar/typo names in the same manner. Once you are broke, get a free server from LES giveways and use it with the IP address only
Artificial intelligence is no match for our natural stupidity.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
.com = commercial / commerce
.net = network / networking / computing
.org = organization (usually non-profit)
.info = information
There are many other TLDs out there to choose from, like .shop .io .party .win .sex .wtf and many others. Nowadays imagination and scalpers could be the limits.
.net if .com is not available
Action and Reaction in history
I appreciate the clarity, alento! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your expertise, techdragon!
Cool! Thanks for sharing, Amadex!
Makes sense SocksAreComfortable! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, yoursunny! Which option is more expensive, and which one is cheaper?
During the last renewal performed in 2024-Aug, our .com domain costed $9.49 and our .dev domain costed $10.16.
Generally, we transfer the domain to a different registrar every year, to take advantage of lower pricing.
However, since the private by design llc incident, we are now avoiding certain registrars with inadequate systems, to avoid headaches.
HostBrr aff best VPS; VirmAche aff worst VPS.
Unable to push-up due to shoulder injury 😣
If it's a real business you can use whatever TLD you'd like. Then just trademark the brand name and for the select categories in the region you operate such as euipo for EU.
If the person who bought the .com 20+ years ago but kept it inactive starts to use it, or if someone registers one of the 1000+ other TLD they're not allowed to offer those X category services under the same brand name as you to the EU region basically making their domain name useless.
Trademark in the EU is relatively cheap. I believe it's 750 or 950 EUR for 10 year protection for 2 categories.
For web hosting and most other things related it would be Nice Classification 42
Of course you don't actually need a trademark but it does make it a hell of a lot cheaper to negotiate buying that .com domain, or do takedowns with fiverr expert supreme lawyer.
It sounds like you're really proactive with domain management, especially with taking advantage of lower prices.
Definitely you gave me a new perspective to consider. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing such a thorough response, DB_HTP! Your advice is super helpful and practical.
In addition to what has been mentioned...
If you don't care about the perception of the TLD, com and net are both operated by Verisign so there is no practical, technical difference. org is more-or-less run by an equally reliable and capable registry (PIR/ISOC). One might quibble over what you think about their behavior under different historical actions (e.g., SiteFinder in Verisign's case, potential takeover by Ethos in the other).
The registration cost difference between the three should be relatively inconsequential over the long term.
If you can, get your name in all three.
Depends on what the name is used for. com is usually a reasonable choice for most names if you can get it. net is probably the least desirable for general use outside of infrastructure naming, although Juniper seemed to make it work. It may ultimately come down to other things that impact SEO if you're trying to make sure you can be found and indexed.
Dataplane.org's current server hosting provider list
Hi there,
You’ve made some great points regarding the technical reliability of .com, .net, and .org, and I agree that Verisign and PIR/ISOC are solid operators.
Thanks for sharing such a thorough response; your advice is super helpful and practical.