.com Alternatives: 8 Unique Domain Extensions for Your Business

Your website’s domain extension is an important aspect of your brand identity. While .com is the most popular option, using another extension, like .ai or .io, might be a better fit for your business.

Finding the right URL for your website doesn’t have to be difficult. When you look at some alternative domains and learn what they’re for, you can determine which option best suits your business. For example, if you have an online shop, you might choose .store for your domain name.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at domain extensions. We’ll discuss the .com domain and explain its origins. Then, we’ll present eight .com alternatives and explain who should use them. Finally, we’ll discuss the importance of using a secure and credible domain registrar like NameHero. Let’s get started!

What Are Domain Extensions?

The domain extension is what comes after the website name in a web address. For instance, .com is the domain extension of namehero.com.

Also known as Top-Level Domains (TLDs), extensions were created in the 1960s by ARPANET to simplify memorizing IP addresses. Years later, the Domain Name System (DNS) and the first publically-registrable TLDs were published in the 1980s. These included:

1. .com = commercial (companies)
2. .net = network (technology and internet services)
3. .org = non-profit organizations
4. .edu = educational institutions
5. .mil = military
6. .gov = government institutions

These examples are categorized as generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs). Shortly after, .us (USA) and .uk (United Kingdom) were introduced as the first country-code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD). Since then, hundreds of new domain extensions have been created by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

While domain extensions indicate a website’s category, they’re also a critical aspect of DNS hierarchy. When searching for an IP address, the DNS server searches for the domain extension first. That’s why it’s called the top-level domain. Once found, the server follows the hierarchy until it connects the user to the desired IP address.

The Origin of the .com Domain

The .com domain was created to signify “commercial” websites, such as businesses and online stores. A computer manufacturer named Symbolics, Inc. held the first .com domain name in 1985 when the internet was mostly used for communication and research.

Since then, this TLD has grown to encompass virtually any website type. In, fact, 46 percent of web addresses use .com worldwide.

Due to its popularity, this domain is a top choice when registering new websites. Additionally, it’s easier to remember than lesser-known domain extensions. It can also establish credibility for your website since it holds global recognition.

Nonetheless, .com can feel too generic if you have a niche business or run a non-profit organization. Furthermore, you may find your desired domain name has already been registered since .com domains are so popular.

8 Alternative Domain Extensions

Your industry or business will ultimately determine what domain name is right for you. Let’s take a look at eight alternative domain extensions.

.org

The .org extension is the second most popular TLD after .com. While anyone can register .org domain names, they’re generally associated with government organizations and non-profit websites.

You might consider registering your domain with the .org extension if you run a non-profit organization. However, it is also suitable for distributing educational resources and sharing open-source projects.

Apache, a popular open-source software, uses the .org extension:

Using .org can convey a sense of seriousness that may be necessary for your website. Moreover, this extension typically holds more authority and credibility since it’s one of the original TLDs.

.net

While .net domains were launched to serve network and tech businesses, this category has grown to encompass a variety of sites. Like .org domains, URLs that use .net can have more credibility than new extensions.

Still, .net is a popular extension for businesses in the tech world. This includes software services, website hosts, databases, web applications, and other internet-based services.

If you want to have a strong online presence, you can purchase both the .net and .com domain names and forward one to the other. That’s what the globally-recognized tech company, Microsoft, does:

Nonetheless, .net is not exclusively a tech domain. If the .com domain name you need is taken, .net can also be used for personal websites, blogs, and e-commerce sites.

.co

The .co extension was initially the country-specific domain for websites in Columbia. However, it is also one of the best alternative domains for .com. As a generic TLD, .co is an abbreviation for “corporation” or “company.”

This extension is a bit trendier than using .com for your domain name. As such, it’s generally more popular among startups and small businesses that target younger audiences.

Hinge, a popular dating website and mobile app uses the .co domain extension:

While staying hip is important for new businesses, using .co instead of .com can sometimes confuse internet users. Therefore, if your target audience is Gen Y and older, we recommend using more popular domain extensions.

.biz

The .biz domain extension was created in 2001 as another alternative to the .com extension. As its name suggests, .biz stands for “business”.

While it’s ideal for any business niche, using .biz should be reserved for small to mid-sized businesses, such as local service firms and shops. For instance, if you own a marketing agency, you might use yournamemarketing.biz for your domain.

Domain names using .biz tend to sound less formal than other domains. Therefore, we don’t recommend using this top-level domain for enterprise-level businesses, such as law firms and consulting services.

.io

Originally the country code TLD for British Indian Ocean Territory, the .io domain has become popular among companies in the tech sector. In computing, I/O (or input/output) is how computers and other devices transfer data.

So, using the .io extension makes sense for tech companies. Nonetheless, they tend to be pricier due to their popularity.

Opensea, the world’s largest digital marketplace for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), uses the .io extension:

Furthermore, some companies use .io for domain hacking. This is a technique that combines parts of a domain to create a word or phrase. Linktree, a tool for creating personalized links that act as menus uses domain hacking in its URL (linktr.ee).

.me

If you have a personal website, such as a resume, portfolio, or blog, you can use .me for your domain name. This premium extension is perfect for creating a memorable domain name and building an online identity.

Lirona, an award-winning artist uses the .me extension for her online portfolio:

Nevertheless, you may want to opt for a more formal domain name extension if you’re building a scalable business. That way, your website can grow with your brand.

.ai

If you operate an AI-related business, you can use .ai for your domain name. With .ai domains, users immediately know a website pertains to artificial intelligence.

If artificial intelligence is a key component of your business, it may be worthwhile to use .ai for your domain name. However, this option can be pricier, since it is also the country-specific domain for websites in Anguilla.

Character.ai uses this extension for its innovative chatbot platform:

Nonetheless, many internet users aren’t familiar with this TLD. Therefore, it can appear less trustworthy than other domain name extensions.

.store

Using .store for your domain name is perfect for ecommerce sites. Generally, this TLD is ideal for anyone selling products or services online.

Emirates, one of the world’s top airlines, uses the .store extension for its online store:

Furthermore, a domain name using the .store extension tells users and search engines that your website focuses on selling things. Therefore, it may help your site rank higher in search results than other popular domains in the same industry.

Secure Your Domain Name with NameHero

Registering your new domain is easy with NameHero. You can use our free domain search tool to determine whether your desired domain name is available:

NameHero will show you what domain names are available. Then, click on Add to Cart to continue to the checkout page:

You can also purchase add-ons to boost your website and safeguard your assets, such as DNS management, ID protection, and email forwarding.

Our secure platform simplifies domain name management, whether you have multiple domains or just one.

Conclusion

While .com is the most widely used domain extension, it may not be the right option for your website. If you operate a niche business or organization, you may want to consider using an alternative domain.

To recap, here are eight unique domain extensions for your business:

1. .org for charitable and non-profit organizations
2. .net for tech-related websites
3. .co for trendy start-ups and small businesses
4. .biz for informal small to mid-sized businesses
5. .io for tech startups or domain hacking
6. .me for personal websites
7. .ai for AI-related businesses
8. .store for eCommerce websites

Do you have any questions about these domain name extensions? Let us know in the comments section below!