Do Domain Extensions Really Matter for Your Website?
.com, net, .org – there are so many domains that you can choose for your website. These domain extensions, known as the top-level domain (TLD) are more extensive than people realize. In fact, as of February 2024, there are around 2,000 top-level domains available for the internet.
While there are many to choose from, the real question is whether domain extensions matter in technical SEO.
Let’s explore the significance of TLDs and how they can impact the success of your website.
What is a TLD?
As mentioned, the top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of any given domain name, essentially what comes after the final dot. For instance, in www.example.com, the TLD would be the .com portion.
The purpose of the TLD is three-fold:
Categorize domain names: TLDs help categorize websites by classifying them based on their intended purpose. For example, .gov is used for U.S. government websites while .edu is strictly for educational websites.
Help users understand website content: While you can choose a website name that best represents your brand (for example, we’ve chosen Starboundseo.com), the ending part of the domain name can immediately help a user understand a website’s purpose.
How Many TLDs Are There?
A lot! As mentioned, there are nearly 2,000, and if we discount any discontinued or retired, the number is still more than 1500.
You will find .net, .app., and so on. There are even top-level domains that are owned by companies such as. amazon for Amazon or. apple for Apple.
Rather than listing out all top-level domains, which would probably be an entirely separate blog post, here is the best way to categorize them:
Generic TLDs (gTLDs): Common TLDs like .com, .net, and .org. These are not restricted to specific purposes.
Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): TLDs specific to a country or territory, such as .uk for the United Kingdom or .ca for Canada.
Sponsored TLDs (sTLDs): TLDs associated with specific communities or industries, such as .edu for educational institutions or .gov for government entities.
Does the TLD Affect SEO?
According to Google, a top-level domain is not a ranking factor, unless referring to international SEO. However, even though the TLD is supposed to be treated equally by all search engines, including Google, many factors affect search:
Perception and Trust
Some TLDs, such as.com, are frequently thought to be more reliable and authoritative. A.com domain might elicit more clicks from users than a less well-known TLD, such as a .biz or .net, which could have an unintentional negative effect on the traffic and engagement of your website.
Relevance and Localization
Local SEO may benefit from using country code TLDs (ccTLDs) to tell search engines that your website is intended for a particular nation. A company that targets German consumers, for instance, could find it advantageous to use a.de TLD.
Brand Identity
Your brand identity may also be influenced by your TLD. A distinctive or sector-specific Top Level Domain (TLD), such as.tech or .health, might aid in conveying the goal and specialty of your website and possibly draw in a more focused audience.
Choosing the Right Domain For Your Website
Your target market, brand identity, and goals will all influence which TLD is best for you. When selecting a TLD, consider the following factors:
Target Audience
Consider your target audience, including your business’s geographic focus. Consider using a generic top-level domain (TLD) such as.com if your intended audience is international. As mentioned, if you have a hyper-localized or international website, you want to consider a country-specific TLD.
Brand Consistency
Your brand identity should be reflected in your TLD. For instance, if you want to create a website just for your CV or resume, you may want to consider .me. If you have an online shop, perhaps consider a .store.
Availability
Accessibility is a crucial element. Since there are currently a lot of domains taken, you may need to think outside the box when coming up with a domain name or investigate other TLDs if your company name is already taken. This may be easier than changing your business name altogether.
Credibility and Trust
Think about the perceptions that consumers have of various TLDs. Though they may be eye-catching, new and distinctive TLDs may not be as trustworthy as more established TLDs like.com or.org. Keep distinctiveness and legitimacy in check to make sure your domain builds trust.
Your website is More Than Its TLD
Although the TLD is only one component of your domain name, it has a tremendous impact on user impression and trust. The ideal TLD for you will depend on your target audience, goals, and particular demands.
Thus, while the top-level domain you give your website does not have a major impact on SEO, it does impact how it is perceived by users, which ultimately affects indexing.