Should I Buy a .net Domain Name?

Oct 5th, 2008 | By Dee | Category: Newbie Boot Camp

Domain names are hot commodities in today’s world. Virtual real estate can be obtained very inexpensively if you can get a good name straight from the registrar, and it is often sold for mind-boggling prices. But at this stage of the game, it’s next to impossible to get a good .com name without paying a small fortune.

Common knowledge tells the savvy domain buyer that .com names are the best to have, because they are the ones that Internet users have become accustomed to. They receive the most type-in traffic of any top level domain, and they just roll off the tongue easily. But with memorable and keyword-rich .com names in short supply, it’s time to start considering other top-level domains (TLDs).

The second most recognizable TLD after .com is .net. It is one of the original top-level domains, and was created for use by network providers. But its registration was never formally restricted, so it has been used as an alternative to .com. Although most of the shorter .net names have already been taken, there is a better chance of getting the domain name you want with a .net extension than a .com.

Getting domains that have relevant keywords in them is good for search engine positioning. And the search engines do not take into account the TLD of the domain. So if the keyword-packed domain you want is unavailable in .com, getting it in .net can give you the same search engine benefits.

Instances in which the .com you want is unavailable aren’t the only reasons for buying a .net domain, though. Here are some more situations in which you might want a .net:

* When registering a .com domain name, webmasters who wish to protect their brand often register the same name with a .net extension as well. This will prevent copycats or competitors from getting the .net version and exploiting it. You can set up a redirect so that any traffic from the .net goes to the .com address, or you could create a separate site for it.

* A .net extension can be used to come up with clever domain names. One good example that is already taken is fishing.net.

* A .net domain name would be a good fit for a social networking site, or for a firm that provides Internet-specific services such as search engine optimization or web hosting.

Although .com has become something of a default TLD due to its widespread use, .net has a great deal of potential. It is much more recognizable than many of the newer TLDs, and it’s easier to get the domain you want in a .net than a .com. For most webmasters, if the domain they want ending in .com is taken, .net is the automatic second choice. But in some cases, it makes a fine first choice.