Should I Buy a .org Domain Name?

Oct 31st, 2008 | By Dee | Category: Newbie Boot Camp

One of the original top-level domains, .org is most commonly associated with non-profit organizations. But did you know that anyone can register a .org domain name?

The .org top-level domain (TLD) was created back in 1985, at the same time as .com, .net, .edu, .gov, and .mil. The .edu, .gov and .mil TLDs were reserved for use by educational institutions, the U.S. government, and the U.S. military, respectively. Although .org was created for use by organizations that didn’t fit under any of those categories, its use was never restricted. So along with .com and .net, it became available for registration by any person or entity.

.org is the Internet’s fifth most popular TLD. It is commonly associated with non-profit organizations, and there are many non-profit websites with .org domains. But contrary to popular belief, there is no requirement that a .org site be run by or as a non-profit.

The .org TLD is good for a number of purposes other than non-profit organizations, including the following:

* Art and culture websites
* Science sites
* Educational sites
* Political groups
* Religious groups
* Community groups or projects
* Special event sites
* Open-source projects

Is It Acceptable for a Business to Use .org?

Whether a for-profit company should use a .org domain is the subject of some debate. There is nothing stopping them from doing so, but some consider it a breech of the trust that is associated with the .org TLD. Since it is associated in many Internet users’ minds with charities and other non-profits, visiting a .org domain and finding a site that was created to make money might be confusing.

That doesn’t mean that there’s no case in which a business should use a .org domain. If your business does charity work, you might find that a .org domain is ideal for information about that. It’s also good for other types of informational sites run by businesses.

If you choose to use a .org for your main business site, it’s important to be up-front about the fact that it is run for profit. If you do, you can maintain the sense of trust that comes with such a domain. This could be good for your business, as long as there is absolutely no confusion about the purpose of the site.

Domains ending in .org are not as common as .com domains, but they are recognizable to Internet users. If you’re running a non-commercial organization, .org domains are often the most logical choice. Using them for commercial sites can be a double-edged sword, but if you’re careful to make your intentions clear, it can work out to your advantage. In any case, if handled correctly, a .org at the end of your domain name can help you gain the trust of your visitors.