If you are preparing to create your website, choosing a domain name is one of the first steps to take. It is essential to find the extension best suited to your activity so that your site is easily identifiable. But how do you know which extension to choose and how important this decision is for your website?
If you don't yet have impactful content to populate your website, you can call on a web editor who will write you optimized texts in order to appear in the best Google searches.
On the other hand, if you have already defined the structure and content of your website, or if you are looking to move forward with your thinking, here is everything you need to know to choose your domain name extension.
What is a domain name extension?
A domain name extension, otherwise called TLD (top level domain), is a term that refers to the last three or four characters of a web address, located after the period. For example, in the address “www.companyname.com”, “.com” is the domain extension or TLD.
Each website has a unique domain name which ends with a specific extension, chosen according to the objectives of the company and its distribution area. The choice of a domain name is free, provided that it is available and remains your property for the duration of your subscription.
Domain name extensions were originally created to classify different types of sites based on their function. For example, the “.com” extension was initially reserved for commercial websites .
Today, domain name extensions have become essential for any website. They represent your online identity and determine your presence on search engines such as Google. Indeed, without an appropriate domain name and extension, your website may not be found by online users.
The different types of domain name extensions
There are different types of domain name extensions, but officially the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) recognizes three types of top-level domains (TLDs):
gTLD : generic top-level domain extensions.
sTLD : sponsored domain extensions.
ccTLD : country geographic domain extensions.
Generic top-level domain extensions: gTLD
Generic top-level domain extensions (gTLDs) are domain extensions that are not specific to a particular country or region. They are often used by for-profit or non-profit organizations internationally.
There are several types of gTLDs, including:
.com : this domain extension is the most popular in the world. It is used by commercial companies. It is easy to remember and find for Internet users.
.org : derived from the word “organization”, it is mainly used by non-profit organizations, community groups, charities, public services, but it is also used by lower quality websites, since it is easier to obtain than others (.com or .fr).
.net : Derived from “network”, this domain extension is primarily used by technology companies and Internet service providers. However, today this TLD is much more general due to the more recurring unavailability of “.com”.
.info : This domain extension is used for websites that aim to provide information. It is often used by journalists, bloggers and information resource websites.
.biz : derived from business in English, it is mainly used for new online business websites, considered a suitable alternative to “.com”.
There are also other types of gTLDs, such as .name, .pro, .aero, .coop, .museum, and .travel, which are intended for specific industries. Each of these domain extensions has its own restrictions and requirements for use.
Country geographic domain extensions: ccTLD
Country geographic domain extensions, also called ccTLDs (Country Code Top-Level Domain), are domain extensions that are specific to a particular country or region.
ccTLDs are based on two-letter codes, generally corresponding to ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes. There are a total of 312 different ccTLDs. Among these domain extensions, we find:
.fr : for France.
.ca : for Canada.
.de : for Germany.
.us : for the United States, etc.
ccTLDs are often used for websites that have a limited geographic scope, such as government, local business, tourism, or local information websites. They can also be used by individuals for personal websites or blogs.
Using ccTLDs can have benefits for website owners, such as increasing local user trust, better visibility in local search results, etc.
However, using ccTLDs can also present challenges, such as limiting the geographic scope of the website, the need to comply with local laws and regulations, and the constraint of managing multiple websites for different markets as Amazon does , for example (Amazon.com, Amazon.de, etc.)
Sponsored domain extensions: sTLD
Sponsored domain extensions , also known as sTLDs (sponsored Top-Level Domains), are top-level domain (TLD) extensions that are reserved for a specific organization or group.
Unlike generic TLDs such as .com or .org, sTLDs have a specific purpose or mission and are often used to promote a particular industry, cause, or community.
sTLDs are often used by nonprofit or government organizations, as well as businesses looking to strengthen their brand and online presence.
Please note that these companies pay to be masters of the assigned domain names, so it is not possible to purchase an sTLD like a gTLD. To use a concrete example: Leclerc pays to have .leclerc and he is the master of the assigned domain names. So, you cannot buy a .leclerc like you buy a .com.
The new generic domain extensions: nTLD
New generic domain extensions, also called nTLDs (for new Top Level Domains), were introduced in 2008 to provide a greater variety of domain name options.
Unlike traditional domain extensions, such as .com or .org, nTLDs are custom domain extensions specific to a market or community. Among them, we can find:
Geographic TLDs : .Paris, etc…
Community or thematic TLD : .tech, .club, .guru, etc…
How to choose the ideal domain extension?
Choosing the ideal domain extension will depend on several factors, such as the purpose of your website and its search engine optimization. Here are some tips that might help you choose the most appropriate domain extension for your website.
Understand the purpose of your website
What do you want to do on your website? Sell, inform or even unite? For example, if you are a commercial business, the .com TLD might be the most obvious choice. If you are a non-profit organization, the .org TLD might be more appropriate.
Think optimization
Considering search engine optimization is essential when creating a website. Although it is often suggested that the .com domain extension is the most favorable, this may not be the case depending on the type of site you are creating. Indeed, some domain extensions may be more relevant than others for your site.
Think about your target audience
If you are targeting an international audience, you may want to opt for an international domain extension such as .com or .net. If you are targeting a local audience, you might consider a geographic domain extension such as .fr or .ca.
Consider the availability of the domain extension
Some domain extensions are more popular than others, which means they may be more difficult to obtain. If your ideal domain name is not available with the extension you prefer, you may want to consider using an alternative extension.
Evaluate the cost
The cost of a domain extension can vary greatly depending on its popularity and rarity. Be sure to compare the prices of different domain extensions before making a final decision.
Visualize long term
The domain extension you choose will impact the perception of your brand, store or business online. Make sure you choose a domain extension that will suit your business in the long run.
Does domain extension impact SEO?
The choice of your domain name extension has no direct impact on your natural referencing . However, this may have indirect repercussions.
If you choose a little-known extension, users may not remember your site, which can lead to fewer inbound links. Additionally, it can be considered spam and reduce the click-through rate on your site.
Should we prefer the .com or .fr extension?
Both extensions seem to be suitable for your site, but how do you choose? In general, .fr is most suitable for a French site, while .com is the most commonly used extension worldwide.
What does .com mean and when to choose this extension?
Initially intended for commercial companies, the “.com” extension is now accessible to all users and can be used for any type of website. This extension is considered a global benchmark and its selection can give an international impression to your business, making it easier to expand across borders.
The .com top-level domain (TLD) is very popular, but it can be difficult to obtain, which can make selecting a domain name difficult.
It is therefore essential to check the availability of a domain from the start of an activity, taking this possibility into account when choosing the business name. However, not using the .com TLD is not a disaster. In some cases, it may even be better to opt for a different domain extension.
In which cases is it preferable to choose the .fr extension?
The .fr extension, for its part, is considered a local extension , designed specifically for websites intended for France. Country domain extensions can give an impression of proximity to the local audience .
Using a “.fr” domain name can often reinforce the trust and professionalism associated with a website, as Internet users instinctively recognize French sites and feel more comfortable browsing these sites.
Additionally, the use of this domain extension clearly indicates that the content of the site will be in French, which is an important detail for users.
Is it relevant to take an atypical extension?
With the proliferation of new domain extensions, it is now possible to choose from a range of unusual options.
Atypical domain extensions can be an interesting alternative if you are looking to stand out from the competition and attract the attention of Internet users.
For example, if you are a sports club, you can opt for the .club extension to reflect your activity. These extensions can be more memorable to potential customers and help strengthen your brand image.
However, there are a few drawbacks to consider when considering using an atypical domain extension:
Internet users may have difficulty remembering your domain name if you use an uncommon extension.
Some atypical extensions may be considered less professional or less trustworthy, which can harm your business's credibility.
Atypical domain extensions can be more expensive than traditional extensions, which can put a strain on your budget.
Some examples of atypical extensions to avoid due to their bad reputation:
.ml.
.men.
.top.
.link.
.work.
.date.
Our tip for choosing a domain name extension
Now that you have all the cards in hand to choose the domain name extension for your website, you can ensure its good visibility on search engines thanks to a web editor available on our writing platform .
Writing for the web requires specific skills and cannot be improvised. With the help of professional web editors on conexgo.com, you will have the opportunity to optimize your content and make it unique and impactful.
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