| Dot COM is the most popular domain extension in | | | | NET, ORG or BIZ? Wikipedia.org is arguably the most |
| use today. The top 100 websites in the world contain | | | | well known dot ORG website today. Consider this |
| 70 dot COM and no other GTLDs according to the | | | | example when analyzing Google trends; is searched |
| top 100. GTLDs are generic top-level domain | | | | almost as much as Wikipedia.org. This indicates that |
| extensions such as dot INFO, NET, and ORG. The | | | | dot COM is the extension most people think of when |
| other domain extensions in the Alexa top 100 are | | | | they think of a website addresses. Therefore to |
| cctlds, such as dot CN, JP, DE, and RU. Domain | | | | brand to website address other than a dot COM will |
| extensions are critical for determining the value and | | | | take a tremendous effort on the part of the |
| potential for any domain name and website. Most | | | | webmaster. That is why so many prefer to register |
| associate dot COM as the dominant domain | | | | a 3 or 4 keyword combination instead of taking the |
| extension on the web today. Webmasters will often | | | | 2 or 3 keyword domain in a lesser extension. |
| times register a two or three keyword combination | | | | The relatively recent launch of dot ASIA, EU and TEL |
| domain instead of taking a one or two keyword | | | | will serve as a litmus test for alternative domain |
| domain in a lesser extension. Some well known rules | | | | extensions. While these are not true GTLDs they can |
| or guidelines on selecting domains are listed below: | | | | serve as an alternative to dot COM in their respected |
| | | | geographic areas and niches. |
| 1. Keep it short | | | | Another area that will test the dominance of dot |
| 2. Make it descriptive | | | | COM will be non-English websites. There is currently 5 |
| 3. Make it easy to spell | | | | non English focused websites in the Alexa top 20. |
| 4. Don't use special characters | | | | Those websites are either a cctld or have an |
| 5. Make it memorable | | | | equivalent cctld that targets local traffic. The recent |
| 6. Phone test (can you tell someone what it is over | | | | development surrounding International Domain Names |
| the phone) | | | | may serve as a catalyst as well for non dot COM |
| Think about the last two guidelines. Can a domain | | | | extensions. However, even though the cctlds have |
| name be memorable or easy to tell to someone over | | | | some what of a head start IDN dot COMs are |
| the phone if it's not a dot com? Will the end user | | | | currently available and look to be a major factor with |
| actually remember a website address that is a dot | | | | the next few years. |