If you’re new to building a website, one of the first things you’ll need to consider is which domain extension to choose. A domain extension is the part of a web address that comes after the dot, such as .com, .net, or .org.
1. What is a domain extension?
Before we dive into the different types of domain extensions, it’s important to understand what a domain extension is. Every website has a unique address, known as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The domain extension is the suffix at the end of the URL that tells users and search engines what type of website they’re visiting. For example, Google’s main domain extension is .com, while the World Health Organisation uses .org.
2. Top-level domain (TLD)
The top-level domain is the highest level in the domain name system hierarchy. It is the part of the domain extension that comes after the last dot. The most popular top-level domains are .com, .net, .org, .edu, and .gov. These TLDs are open for public registration and are available worldwide.
3. Generic top-level domain (gTLD)
A generic top-level domain is a TLD that’s not associated with any specific country. There are over 1,500 gTLDs available, including .app, .blog, .club, and .guru. These gTLDs were introduced in 2012 to offer more options for website owners. The availability of gTLDs continues to grow, and some are specific niche industries, such as .photography.
4. Country code top-level domain (ccTLD)
A country code top-level domain is a TLD that’s assigned to a specific country or territory. These domain extensions are represented by two letters, such as .us for the United States and .uk for the United Kingdom. Some ccTLDs have specific requirements for registration, such as being a citizen or resident of the country.
5. Which extension should you choose?
Choosing the right domain extension depends on the purpose of your website. If you’re building a commercial website, a .com extension is best as it’s the most recognised and widely used.
For a website that serves a specific country, a ccTLD is ideal. It may also help with local search engine optimization (SEO) as search engines give priority to local results when users search within a specific country. However, keep in mind that ccTLDs can limit the availability of your website to other countries.
6. How to register a domain extension
To register a domain extension, you’ll need to choose a domain registrar, such as 123-reg, GoDaddy or Namecheap. The registrar will check if the domain extension you want is available, and if it is, you can buy it. Domain registrations are usually renewable annually, so be sure to renew your registration to keep your domain name active.
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