.ai vs .com: Which Should You Choose for Your Website?

Your website’s domain extension says a lot about your company and the type of product or service you offer. If you have a tech business, you might be wondering whether to stick with a popular option like .com to build trust, or to use an extension like .ai to show users that you specialize in modern technology. 

Choosing between .com and .ai doesn’t need to be difficult. When you understand the pros and cons of each extension, you should be able to decide on the right one for your business. This way, your website address can support a strong online presence and brand identity.  

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at domain extensions and why they’re important. Then, we’ll discuss what .ai and .com mean and what they’re used for. We’ll also highlight a few factors to consider when choosing between these two domain name extensions. Finally, we’ll show you how to use NameHero to register your domain name. Let’s get started!

What Are Domain Extensions?

Before we delve into the specifics of .ai and .com domains, let’s take a moment to understand what domain extensions are. 

Also known as Top Level Domains (TLDs), domain extensions are the suffixes in a website address. For example, if your web address is myonlineshop.com, the extension is .com.

Some of the most popular domain extensions include:

• .com (used by a variety of websites, including blogs, online stores, and company sites)
• .org (a popular option among nonprofit organizations)
• .net (originally for companies specializing in networking technologies, but today it’s commonly used as an alternative to .com)
• .edu (typically used by educational institutions, like universities)

You’ll also find country code domain extensions like .ca (Canada), .de (Germany), and .es (Spain).

.ai vs .com: What They Mean and What They’re Used For

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into .com and .ai domains. In this section, we’ll discuss what they mean and what they’re used for.

The .com domain extension is one of the TLDs that was created in the early days of the internet. Originally, it stood for “commercial”, and was therefore intended for this particular use. 

Nowadays, it’s used by different types of websites, from personal blogs and portfolios to online marketplaces and enterprise sites. Since it’s a widely recognized domain (and quite versatile, too), it’s a popular choice among businesses and professionals.

After all, a popular extension can make your domain easier to remember for customers. Plus, it helps you convey a sense of authority and legitimacy. 

However, since this is the go-to extension for many website owners, it can be difficult to find your preferred domain name available with .com as its TLD.

Meanwhile, the .ai domain is less popular and has a more specific use. It was originally used as the country code top level domain for Anguilla, a British overseas territory. But, it’s becoming the extension of choice among many tech companies.

This is because AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, too. Therefore, businesses that specialize in this innovative technology can use the .ai domain to quickly communicate this to internet users:

The main downside of using a lesser-known domain like .ai is that some users might find your website suspicious. This is because unusual extensions are associated with fake websites and scams. 

Choosing Between .ai and .com: 4 Factors to Consider

Now that we have a basic understanding of .ai vs .com domains, let’s look at some of the factors to consider when choosing between them.

Pricing

Since .com domains are quite common, they tend to be more affordable than other options. This means they have low registration fees and renewal costs. 

On the other hand, .ai domains may come with a higher price tag due to their perceived exclusivity and association with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. 

As an example, we ran a search for bluekitesoftware.ai (an imaginary company), using NameHero’s instant domain search. This domain is currently available for $159.96 per year:

As you can see, the .com version is much cheaper, starting at $16.98 per year. 

So, if AI technology is a key component of your brand, then it might be worthwhile to invest in an ai domain. However, if it’s not the main selling point, a .com domain might be a better choice in terms of budget. 

Availability

Given the extensive use of .com domains, finding your desired website name available in this extension can be challenging. Many popular .com domains are already registered.

Plus, some people purchase domain names and leave them parked. They can then sell them to website owners who are after those particular domains, usually asking for a much higher price.  

In contrast, .ai domains are more widely available as they are less popular than .com. This means you’re more likely to find your desired .ai domain name, without having to buy it from another owner. 

SEO and Competition

As mentioned earlier, .com domains have a long-standing presence on the internet. However, using a .com TLD won’t have a real impact on your website’s performance in search engine rankings.

In any case, a .com TLD might give you a slight advantage with searchers due to its familiarity and trustworthiness.

However, an ai domain can help you rank well for related queries. For example, if you type “AI content generator” into Google, you’ll notice that some of the results on the first page are websites with the .ai domain:

Of course, there are many other Search Engine Optimization (SEO) factors that can impact your rankings. These include the keywords you use in your pages and meta data, as well as your linking strategy.

Brand Identity and Perception

Your choice of domain extension can influence how your brand is perceived by visitors. 

Since the .com extension is recognized by people from all over the globe, it can be beneficial for businesses that want to target an international audience. Additionally, it can help you convey a sense of professionalism and reliability, as it’s used by many other reputable companies and enterprises. 

Meanwhile, an ai domain can signal innovation. For startups and companies in the AI industry, this domain can help differentiate your brand from others and attract tech-savvy audiences.

Registering Your .ai Domain with NameHero

If you’ve decided to use an ai extension for your website, you’ll need to look for a domain registrar that offers this option.  

NameHero offers a no fuss registration process for ai domains. You can start by looking for your preferred domain name using the instant search feature:

If your preferred .ai domain is available, you can go ahead and add it to your cart. At checkout, you’ll have the option to purchase add-ons like DNS management and ID protection.

Note that you can also use NameHero to register domains with popular TLDs like .com and .org.

Conclusion

Many websites use the .com extension since it’s widely recognizable and therefore encourages trust. However, tech companies that specialize in new technologies like AI may prefer using a domain that reflects their expertise, like .ai. 

To recap, here are four factors to consider when choosing between .ai and .com domains:

1. Pricing: .com extensions are much cheaper than .ai domains.
2. Availability: It can be easier to find your preferred domain name available in .ai than .com.
3. SEO and competition: .com domains may give you a slight advantage in search engine results due to perceived trustworthiness, but ai domain names can help you rank higher for AI-related queries.
4. Brand identity and perception: A .com domain can help you build trust and authority, while ai domain extensions communicate innovation in the tech industry.

Do you have any questions about .ai and .com extensions? Let us know in the comments section below!