What Is the Best TLD for Your Website? (20+ Options Compared)

If you’re planning to start a website, choosing your domain name is one of the first steps. This might be straightforward if you have a unique company name. But you’ll also need to select a suitable top-level domain (TLD) for your brand.

A TLD is the suffix of your “root” domain. Some of the most common options include .com and .co. If your preferred domain isn’t available, you might consider less popular TLDs. Depending on your niche, some TLDs like .ai and .io might be even better for your site.

In this post, we’ll start by explaining top-level domains in more detail. Then, we’ll share some of the most popular TLDs and who should use them. Let’s get to it!

What is a TLD? (And Why It’s Important)

Also known as “domain extensions,” TLDs appear directly after the root domain. In the following example, the TLD is .com:

Now, you might be wondering: what’s the point of a domain extension?

On a technical level, it all has to do with the Domain Name System (DNS). This is a directory for all the domain names on the internet.

The DNS is organized in a way that makes it easier for web browsers and servers to communicate. This way, they can deliver web pages to end users as seamlessly as possible.

Basically, the TLD adds another step in the search, which facilitates the DNS lookup process.

However, a domain name also plays a crucial role in site branding. This is especially true when you run an online business or manage a personal brand.

All TLDs have a meaning behind them and were originally intended to communicate key information about a website. For instance, if the site pertains to a school, the best TLD would be .edu. Similarly, .shop might be appropriate for an ecommerce site.

In a nutshell, a well-chosen TLD can tell your target audience a lot about your website. It can also help boost its credibility and authority in a given niche or industry.

20+ Popular TLDs (And Who Should Use Them)

Now that you know more about the importance of TLDs, let’s go over some of the most popular domain extensions and who should use them.

Generic TLDs (.com, .co, .org)

Let’s start by discussing generic top-level domains. These are TLDs that almost any website can use without impacting its brand.

Here are some of the most common extensions and what they represent:

• .com: This stands for “commercial”, which is why so many business websites use it.
• .co: Similarly, this is short for “company” or “corporation”, so it’s another popular alternative for online businesses.
• .org: This last one represents “organization”, so it might be slightly better for a non-profit business or charity.

As you can see, these generic options can work for most online sites. You may prefer .com over .co, since internet users might be more familiar with it. However, the downside is that .com domain extensions can be harder to get.

If you want to use one of the classic extensions, but it isn’t available for your domain, you could try an alternative like .net (for “network”) or .biz (for “business”).

You could even use .xyz, one of the new domain extensions that emerged due to the scarcity of other generic TLDs.

Industry Specific TLDs (.edu, .gov, .esq)

Choosing an industry-specific TLD can help boost the authority of your website. Here are some of the most common domain extensions for formal institutions:

• .edu: Naturally, this represents “education” and is best for institutions like high schools and universities.
• .gov: This stands for “government” and is more strictly regulated (it can only be used by a government entity or employee).
• .esq: TLDs like .esq, short for “esquire,” can benefit professionals in specific industries, such as law.

Generally speaking, when TLDs pertain to a specific industry, they may be harder to obtain. But, if you have the credentials, it might be worth it to pursue one.

Niche TLDs (.blog, .audio, .photography)

If you want your domain extension to communicate the purpose of your site, you can opt for a TLD that represents your niche.

For instance, you might consider using one of the following:

• .blog: Of course, this is ideal for blogging websites.
• .audio: This could work for podcasters, producers, or anyone in the music or radio industry.
• .photography: This is an ideal TLD for a professional photographer.

That said, not all niches are available as TLDs, and you’ll want to avoid opting for anything that becomes too lengthy when paired with your root domain extension. A strong domain name should be easy to remember and type.

Tech TLDs (.ai, .io, .dev)

Let’s take a look at popular domain extensions for the tech space. This is an evergrowing industry so you have a few more options compared to other types of businesses:

• .ai: This is the acronym for “artificial intelligence”, so if your company relies on this type of technology, it can be the right choice.
• .io: An abbreviation of “input/output,” this is another common domain name extension for tech startups.
• .dev: Short for “development”, this is an excellent option for developers or web development agencies.

If none of these popular domain extensions are available, you might want to consider .tech. Although it’s a bit more generic, it still communicates your area of expertise to the target audience.

While a popular tech TLD can help bolster your brand, some options are a bit pricey. For example, the .ai TLD is expensive due to its popularity, but also because it was originally intended to be the country code for Anguilla.

Regional TLDs (.us, .co.uk, .fr)

If you only cater to a specific region, a country code might be the best option for your business. Here are some country-specific extensions:

• .us: As you might have guessed, this is the TLD for the United States.
• .co.uk: This TLD is used for websites in the United Kingdom.
• .fr: Most country code TLDs, like this one for France, are straightforward abbreviations.

On the contrary, if your target market is spread across the globe, you’d want to avoid a country TLD. However, they could still be useful for different subdomains (e.g. your UK-based store or Paris branch).

You might consider the .intl (for “international”) or a generic top-level domain if your business operates worldwide.

Ecommerce TLDs (.store, .shop, .boutique)

Lastly, let’s take a look at some of the most popular domain extensions for ecommerce websites.

Of course, your first choice for this type of site may be .com. That said, you might want to set yourself apart with one of the following options:

• .store
• .shop
• .boutique

All of these are pretty self-explanatory. They all make it very clear that your website sells goods or services. However, each one can communicate the nature of your business.

For example, if you’re a small clothing business, the .boutique domain extension can be the right fit.

How to Find the Best TLD for Your Website

A huge part of choosing the right domain extension is properly researching your options. You also want to make sure that you choose a reputable domain registrar.

If you’re not sure where to start, NameHero can help you streamline the process. You can use its free domain search tool to discover your perfect domain extension:

All you have to do is type in your desired domain and hit Search:

As you can see, NameHero will tell you if the domain is available, and with which TLDs. This list usually features some of the most popular domain extension options like .com, .biz, and .net (as long as they’re available).

Once you’ve decided on your domain name and extension, click Add To Cart and proceed to the checkout page:

Here, you can add DNS management, ID protection, and email forwarding. These add-ons can be useful for improved website performance and security reasons.

It’s worth noting that NameHero also provides web hosting services. So, if you want to make managing your website super simple, you can bundle these services.

Some NameHero hosting plans even come with a free domain name. Plus, all plans include unlimited storage, free SSL certificates, and everything else you need to run a successful website!

Conclusion

When you’re creating a website, the first step is to choose a domain name and a TLD. The right TLD can help bolster your brand’s online reputation and perceived credibility.

Generic top-level domains like .com and .co are easily recognizable and they’re suitable for most websites. However, industry or niche-specific domain extensions can help you effectively communicate the purpose of your website.

Do you have any questions about choosing the right domain name extension for your website? Let us know in the comments section below!