.art Domain Extension: Should You Use It?

If you’re part of the art world and you want to set up a website to showcase your work, .art might be the perfect domain extension for it. An .art domain immediately sets the tone for visitors and it can also be fantastic for branding.

Registering an .art domain works just the same as with most other Top Level Domains (TLDs). However, you can register .art domains for specific artwork and not just for a company or an individual. That alone makes it one of the most unique TLDs in the market.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the .art domain extension and its history. We’ll also go over its benefits and discuss who should consider using this domain extension. Finally, we’ll talk about how to register an .art domain. Let’s get to it!

An Introduction to the .art Domain Extension

TLDs are the extensions at the end of domain names. So, .art is a TLD, the same as .com and .net, among many others. When you register a domain, you can select which TLD to use, depending on availability.

There are over a thousand TLDs to choose from, including little-used options such as .art. This domain extension was created in 2016 by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). That’s the non-profit organization that oversees the Domain Name System (DNS), which makes using domain names possible (versus using IP addresses).

The ICANN, in conjunction with a company called UK Creative Ideas Limited, launched the TLD in 2017. Now, it’s available to the public through your registrar of choice.

The .art domain extension is somewhat unique due to an arrangement with the ICANN. Thanks to this arrangement, you can extend the available WHOIS information for an .art domain and include unique identifiers for artwork. This system is called “Digital Twin“.

The goal of the Digital Twin system for .art domains is to enable you to store artwork information in the registry. You can, for example, register an .art domain directly to an artwork, instead of a person or a business.

This makes .art domains not only a great choice for setting up a website, but also for certifying ownership of artwork.

Using the Digital Twin system is optional. You can register an .art domain and use it for any purpose you want, the same as with most other TLDs.

The Benefits of Using an .art Domain Extension

As we have seen, .art domains offer some unique perks in terms of the data they enable you to save to the domain registry. However, that’s not the only benefit that these domains offer.

Here are some other pros of using an .art domain:

• It immediately creates an association with the .art world among users. This is great for branding and it can make the domain name more memorable.
• .art domains are a great option for art organizations and art-related businesses since the TLD was explicitly created with them in mind.
• It’s easier to find available .art domains when compared with other options such as .com and .net.
• .art domains are relatively affordable.
• Anyone can register an .art domain, whereas some TLDs impose restrictions.

In terms of domain prices, you can usually find .art domain names for registration for around $20-25 per year. Other niche domains can cost a lot more to register, as is the case with .ai domain names:

The domain extension you use plays a role in your site’s branding. Fortunately, .art domains can be highly memorable and they can help you build a brand that’s recognized within the art community.

Additionally, .art domains are highly versatile. You can use this domain extension for anything art-related, from a personal photography portfolio or graphic design business, to the website for a museum or art auction site. We’ll look at some examples in a minute.

There aren’t really any downsides to using an .art domain. However, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right option for your project or business, otherwise it might confuse people and reflect poorly on your brand.

Should You Use an .art Domain?

Your choice of domain extension will depend on various factors. These include the domain name you want, its availability, your budget, and the brand you want to build.

That being said, .art domains are highly brandable. They’re a great option if your targeted audience is largely made up of creatives or art aficionados.

With that in mind, we recommend using the .art TLD if you fall into any of these categories:

• Graphic designers
• Photographers
• Painters
• Gallery owners
• Tattooists
• Artists of pretty much any kind

Another plus of using an .art domain is that you can use the extension to create some highly memorable name combinations. Take munson.art, for example, which is the domain name for a popular museum in the US:

If you’re not a part of the art world, you might want to rethink using the .art TLD. While there’s no rule against it, .art domains are a clear indicator of creative websites. Using this domain extension for other purposes may be confusing to users.

Register Your .art Domain Using NameHero

You can register an .art domain using any approved registrar. However, there tends to be some variation in prices between registrars.

Aside from price, you’ll also want to consider ease of use. Some registrars offer a better user interface and have streamlined domain renewal settings.

NameHero meets all of those criteria. You can register .art domains through our platform at competitive prices.

Moreover, we offer automatic renewal so you don’t have to worry about losing ownership of your domains. You can also purchase domain protection.

Registering a domain using NameHero is simple. You can use our domain search tool to look for an available .art domain, then proceed to the checkout page:

To complete the checkout, you’ll need to fill out some personal information and set the length for the registration. During the checkout process, we’ll inform you how much you’ll pay for renewal once the initial registration expires:

Note that if you can’t find an .art domain name you like, you might also want to consider other options, such as .design, .photography, and .studio. With NameHero, you can choose from among hundreds of TLDs for your next website, so you’re sure to find a domain name you like.

We also offer web hosting and email hosting plans. This way, you can manage everything your website needs using one platform.

Conclusion

If you want to share your art online, an .art domain can help you build your brand. It’s affordable and you shouldn’t have a problem finding the exact domain name you want, since it’s not a commonly used TLD.

.art domains are perfect for portfolios, art galleries, exhibitions, and organizations related to the art world. The domain extension is also great for branding since it’s easy to remember and it gives visitors insight into what kind of content they’re about to see.

NameHero is the perfect place to register an .art domain. While you’re at it, you can also check out our web hosting plans. With a hosting plan and a domain, you’ll be ready to start working on your .art website!