Should You Use a .biz Domain?

There are hundreds of Top-Level Domains (TLDs) to choose from, including popular options like .com and .org. But if you run an online business, you might be looking for something more specific, like the .biz domain extension.

This TLD was created with businesses in mind, so they could stand out from the sea of .com domains on the web. Over 20 years later, the .biz TLD is still going strong as many companies opt for this extension over other options.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at domain extensions and the .biz domain. Then, we’ll go over the pros and cons of using .biz for a website, and discuss who should use it. Finally, we’ll show you how to register the domain. Let’s get to it!

An Introduction to TLDs and the .biz Domain

TLDs are the suffixes at the end of URLs, such as .biz, .com or .org. You can choose what TLD to use when registering a domain, depending on the availability of that particular address.

What TLD you use doesn’t impact your website from a technical standpoint. However, it can affect how users perceive your site. This is because some TLDs carry specific connotations. In the case of .biz, the “biz” stands for business.

The .biz TLD was created in 2001 as an alternative to .com for business sites. Currently, GoDaddy administers the TLD and you can use it for any kind of website.

Moreover, you can use any registrar you want to secure a .biz domain:

Although there are no requirements for registering a .biz domain (unlike with restricted domains), you should steer clear of trademarked names. Courts have upheld that if you register a .biz domain for a business with a trademark, the company in question can argue for ownership and gain control of it.

Aside from that, registering a .biz domain is fairly straightforward. It can also be cheap depending on which registrar you use.

The Pros and Cons of .biz Domains

Every TLD has its own pros and cons, so you’ll want to weigh your options carefully before you settle on a domain name.

The .biz TLD can have several benefits for your site and business. For example:

• It’s a simple and memorable TLD, which makes it easier for users to remember your domain.
• You’re more likely to find the domain name you want with a .biz TLD than a popular option such as .com.
• It’s a great option for most kinds of businesses and it doesn’t sound overly formal.
• It gives users information about the kind of website they’re about to visit.
• You can use the TLD as part of the domain name for some fun combinations.

It’s important to remember your choice of TLD will not impact your website in any technical way. However, that’s not to say there are no downsides to using .biz domains.

If you decide to use the TLD, here are some drawbacks to be aware of:

• It’s not well-suited for enterprise-level businesses since .biz can sound informal.
• It only makes sense to use it for a business and not other types of projects.
• .biz domains can be more expensive than other more common TLDs.

When it comes to costs, it’s important to note that outside of popular TLDs such as .com or .net, it’s not uncommon for domain names to be more expensive. A .biz domain will likely cost you around $20 for the first year of registration, but it’s still a lot cheaper than other options such as .ai.

Who Should Use the .biz Domain

As the name implies, the .biz domain extension is designed for businesses. However, shortening “business” to “biz” is a kind of slang. This means it might not be suitable for some types of operations.

If you run a small to medium-sized business or a professional organization, .biz domain names make a lot of sense. The TLD tells potential customers that they’re dealing with a business before they even click on a link, which means it won’t take them by surprise if you’re promoting products or services.

Some examples of businesses that can benefit from using the .biz domain extension include the following (alongside example URLs):

• Small local businesses, such as bakeries or hardware stores (mybakery.biz)
• Service firms and agencies (consultingservices.biz)
• Professional networking organizations (professionalorganization.biz)
• Construction companies (bestbuilders.biz)

These are just some examples of the types of businesses that should consider using the .biz TLD.

It’s also worth noting that your business can use a “novelty” .biz web address. That means using the TLD as part of the name itself to make it more dynamic. Some examples of this could include URLs such as gizmos.biz, games.biz, techsupport.biz, and others.

Some users might not be familiar with TLDs beyond the most common options, so using something unique can help you stand out in the search results.

However, these creative and informal names might not work for enterprise-level sites. For example, financial and legal firms need to project a more professional and serious image, so using a .biz domain might make it difficult for them to establish trust and authority.

Therefore, .biz domains are best suited for small and informal businesses, like creative agencies. They can be a great way to drive attention toward your brand.

Note that if you have an online store, you might want to opt for a more appropriate TLD, like .store.

Where to Register .biz Domains

Your choice of domain registrar matters. You’ll find some domains are cheaper to register, depending on which service you use to do it. Some platforms also offer a better user experience and registration process overall.

In terms of cost, NameHero offers some of the most competitive prices for most TLDs, including .biz domains.

If you use our instant domain search feature, you’ll also be able to filter the results by category and check out multiple TLD options:

Once you register your domain, you’ll also need hosting for it. NameHero offers web hosting plans for WordPress sites, WooCommerce stores, and more.

If you already have hosting, NameHero offers free migrations for all customers. You can also opt to use NameHero just for domain registration, depending on your needs.

You might consider purchasing add-ons like email forwarding and ID protection with your domain name. The latter can help protect your personal details and reduce the amount of spam that arrives in your inbox.

Conclusion

A lot of people default to .com when choosing a domain name, but there are other TLDs you can use – and which may be better suited for the type of site you run. If you’re looking to set up a website for your business, using the .biz extension makes a lot of sense.

With this extension, visitors know what kind of website to expect. It can also be easier to find the exact domain you want available with .biz versus with other extensions. In general, .biz domains are a great match for small businesses, service websites, and even professional organizations.

When you’re ready to register your domain, NameHero offers some of the most competitive prices on the market. You can also get web and email hosting for your .biz domain. Check out our plans!