Have you ever wondered what the difference is between .com vs .net name extensions? Choosing the proper name is crucial because it can have an impression on your branding and search rankings.
In this article, we’ll explain the difference between .com vs .net domain extensions and which one is best for your website.
What Is.Com and .Net Domain Name Extensions?
A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Ours is Wehavedigitaltool.com
To learn more about domain names, see our beginner’s guide what’s a website name and the way do domains work.
Domain names always have an extension. This is sometimes also called a TLD, which stands for Top Level Domain. For instance:
example.com
example.net
example.org
You can choose between a good range of domain extensions when making your website.
Most domain extensions don’t have any restrictions on usage and much of the latest domain extensions are created in recent years.
However, extensions were originally created for different types of websites. They have specific meanings.
You need to settle on a website name extension that matches your business while helping you build a recognizable brand in your industry.
Let’s take a glance at the difference between the foremost popular .com vs .net domain extensions to ascertain which is best for your business.
Difference Between.Com vs .Net Domain Names
Com and Net are two of the foremost popular name extensions. If your preferred .com domain name extension is not available, then you might be tempted to use a .net instead.
However, .net isn’t an honest option for your business in most cases.
The “com” within the .com name indicates a “commercial” site. This can cover business websites, websites that want to form money online, personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and more.
On the opposite hand, the “net” within the .net name extension stands for “network”. It was designed for the web, networking, and email service providers.
If you’re wondering about .org, which stands for “organization” and was originally intended for use by nonprofit organizations.
When Should You Choose a .Com Domain Name?
The .com domain extension has been synonymous with the web since the “dot-com bubble” within the late 1990s. Over 40% of all registered domain names are .com domains.
It’s much easier for people to recollect a .com name than the other domain extension. It’s familiar and reassuring, plus it makes your site look professional.
Also, most mobile keyboards have a fanatical .com button. You won’t find that for .net (or the other extension).
There’s just one problem. You’ve probably noticed that .com domain names are so popular that it seems like all the great ones are already taken!
However, there are still many clever ways to urge the right .com domain name. Here are some things to try:
- Check that your domain name represents your business and what you do. For example, stargardeningservices.com is better than starservices.com.
- If your preferred domain name is taken, then you can add a word before or after it to make it unique. Your location could work well here. For example, stargardeninghouston.com.
- Make sure your domain name can be easily pronounced and remembered. Don’t use hyphens or numbers in your domain name.
- Take advantage of online domain name generators. These free tools will help you come up with clever domain name ideas that are unique and still available.
Need more help? We’ve got lots of practical tips and real-life examples in our article on how to choose the best domain name for your website.
When You Should Use the .Net Domain Extension?
The .net extension still makes sense in some cases. You could use it if you offer internet, networking, database hosting, email hosting, or similar services.
You might even want to use a .net domain name if it truly suits your brand.
For example, Behance.net is a popular online design community that uses a .net domain extension for their website. It suits them because they wanted to be a network of artists, designers, and companies looking for talent.
Under 4% of all domain names registered are using the .net domain extension.
Why You Might Be Tempted to Use the .Net Extension
Have you ever tried to register a .com domain and seen something like this?
Domain name registrars often present .net as the top alternative to .com. This might make you think it’s more commonly used than it actually is.
Even the most well-known internet and network service companies use a .com domain name for their business.
Of course, 4% is still a lot of domain names. Over 13 million, in fact. You might wonder who’s using all those .net domain names.
In many cases, the .net domains aren’t really being used.
Many businesses register a .net extension so no one else can take it. They may not use the .net domain, or they may redirect it to their .com. site.
Also, some companies started with a .net because they couldn’t get the .com they wanted. Most later transferred to a .com domain extension, often keeping the .net domain name registered for technical and legal reasons.
Choosing.Com vs .Net – Which One is Better for SEO?
A lot of our users ask us which domain extension will help them rank higher.
If you’re watching either .com or .net, it doesn’t make any difference which you select from an SEO perspective. Search engines will treat both domain extensions as equivalent.
Just specialize in SEO best practices and make useful targeted content to rank higher.
The important part is your name itself, not the extension.
For example, stargardeningservices.com will rank better than starservices.net because it contains a keyword (gardening services) that folks are likely to look for.
How to Buy a Domain Name
There are two ways to get a domain name. You can choose the one that best suits you.
1. Get a FREE Domain Name with Bluehost
To make a website, you need website hosting as well as a domain name.
This may seem a bit confusing when you’re new to creating websites. Make sure you’re clear on the difference between a domain name and website hosting.
Usually, you will pay around $14.99/year for a domain name and $7.99/month for hosting. If you are just starting out, then you may feel that’s quite expensive.
Luckily, the folks at Bluehost are offering Wehavedigitaltool users a free domain name and a 65% discount on hosting.
2. Register a Domain Name
If you don’t want to make a website straight away, you can still register a domain name and make a website later.
We recommend using NameCheap for this. They offer features like private registration, easy transfers, easy DNS management, and more. Their search tool shows you premium domains as well as regular ones, too.
If you’re trying to find
If this is often your first time registering a website name, then you’ll want to use our step-by-step guide on the way to register a website name.
We hope this article helped you learn the difference between .com vs .net domain name extensions. You may also want to see our step-by-step guides on how to start a blog and how to start an online store.
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