Have you ever wondered what the distinction between the.com and.net domain extensions is? It’s critical to pick the right domain name because it can affect your branding and search rankings.

This article will go through the differences between.com and.net domain extensions and which is preferable for your website.

What Are the Differences Between the.Com and.Net Domain Name Extensions?

A domain name is the internet address for your website. Our website address is wpbeginner.com.

See our beginner’s guide on what is a domain name and how domains work for more information on domain names.

An extension is permanently attached to a domain name. A TLD, which stands for Top Level Domain, is another name for this. Consider the following example:

example.com
example.net \sexample.org

When creating your website, you have a wide selection of domain extensions to pick from.

Most domain extensions have no limits on their use, and a slew of new ones have emerged in recent years.

Extensions, on the other hand, were initially designed for various types of websites. They have distinct connotations.

You must select a domain name extension that is appropriate for your business while also assisting you in developing a recognized brand in your market.

Let’s compare and contrast the most popular.com and.net domain extensions to find which is better for your company.

What Is the Difference Between.Com and.Net Domain Names?

This article will go through the differences between.com and.net domain extensions and which is preferable for your website.

The most popular domain name extensions are.com and.net. If your preferred.com domain name extension is not available, you may be tempted to go with a.net.

In most circumstances, however,.net is not an intelligent choice for your company.

The letter “com” in the.com domain name denotes a “commercial” website. This can include corporate websites, money-making websites, personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and more.

The “net” in the.net domain name extension, on the other hand, stands for “network.” It was created for companies that provide internet, networking, and email services.

If you’re wondering what.org stands for, it stands for “organization” and was created with nonprofit organizations in mind.

When Should You Use a.Com Domain?

Since the late 1990s’ “dot-com bubble,” the.com domain extension has been synonymous with the internet. .com domains account for more than 40% of all registered domain names.

A.com domain name is considerably more accessible for people to remember than any other domain extension. It’s comfortable and reassuring, and it gives your site a professional appearance.

A dedicated.com button can also be found on most mobile keyboards. For.net, you won’t find that (or any other extension).

There’s only one issue. You’ve indeed observed that.com domain names are so popular that they seem to be all taken!

There are, however, a variety of creative approaches to get the ideal.com domain name. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Make sure your domain name accurately describes your company and what you do. Stargardeningservices.com, for example, is superior to starservices.com.
• If your ideal domain name is already used, you can make it distinctive by adding a word before or after it. Your location may function well here. For instance, have a look at stargardeninghouston.com.
• Make sure your domain name is easy to remember and pronounce. In your domain name, avoid using hyphens or digits.
• Make use of domain name generators available online. These free tools will assist you in coming up with exciting domain name suggestions that are both original and still available. WPBeginner now provides a free company name generator powered by AI.

Do you require additional assistance? In our post on choosing the perfect domain name for your website, we provide a wealth of practical advice and real-world examples.

When Is It Appropriate to Use the.Net Domain Extension?

In some circumstances, the.net extension is still valid. You could use it if you provide internet, networking, database hosting, email hosting, or other comparable services.

If your brand is truly unique, you may wish to consider a.net domain name.

For example, Behance.net is a popular online design community whose website is hosted on a.net domain extension. It’s ideal for them since they want to network artists, designers, and businesses looking for new talent.

The.net domain extension is used by less than 4% of all domain names registered.

Why Would You Want to Use the.Net Extension?

Have you ever attempted to register a.com domain and received a message similar to this?

.net is frequently presented as a top option to.com by domain name registrars. This may lead you to believe it is more widely utilized than it is.

Even the most well-known internet and network service providers operate under a.com domain name.

Of course, 4% represents a significant number of domain names. In reality, it’s over 13 million. You might be wondering who is utilizing so many.net domains.

In many cases, the.net domains aren’t used at all.

Many companies register a.net extension to ensure that no one else can use it. They can’t use the.net domain or redirect it to their.com site.

In addition, some businesses began with a.net since they couldn’t get the.com they desired. Most domain names were later moved to a.com domain extension, with the.net domain name typically remaining registered for technical and legal reasons.

Which is better for SEO:.Com vs..Net?

Many of our customers want to know which domain extension can help them rank better.

It makes no difference whether you choose.com or.net from an SEO standpoint. Both domain extensions will be treated equally by search engines.

To rank higher, just stick to SEO best practices and generate relevant targeted content.

Your domain name, not the Extension, is the most significant component.

For instance, stargardeningservices.com will rank higher than starservices.net since it has a keyword that people are likely to look for (gardening services).

How to Purchase a Domain

A domain name can be obtained in two ways. You can select the option that best matches your needs.

1. Bluehost offers a free domain name.

You’ll need website hosting and a domain name to create a website.

When you’re new to website development, this can be a little perplexing. Make sure you understand the distinction between a domain name and web hosting.

A domain name costs roughly $14.99 per year and hosting costs around $7.99 per month. If you’re just starting, you might think that’s very pricey.

Fortunately, Bluehost is offering WPBeginner users a free domain name and a 65 percent hosting discount.

To claim your free domain name, go here.

2. Obtain a Domain Name

You can still register a domain name and create a website later if you don’t want to construct one right away.

For this, we recommend Domain.com. They include features such as private registration, simple transfers, and simple DNS control, among others. Their search tool displays both premium and non-paid domains.

Make sure you visit Domain.com through our link to receive a special 25% discount on your domain. Our Domain.com coupon code will be applied instantly.

Please review our list of the best domain registrars if you’re looking for Domain.com alternatives.

If this is your first time registering a domain name, you may find our step-by-step guide to writing a domain name helpful.

We hope that this article clarified the differences between the.com and.net domain extensions. You might also be interested in our step-by-step advice on how to build a blog and an online store.

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