A domain is the address of your website through which your audience finds you in the digital world. However, the role of the domain is versatile and not just limited to an online address. Each domain extension has a distinct purpose that tells the search engine and users about the website’s nature, focus or location.
In this article, we explore .com and .online domains, helping you make the right choice. So, businesses who are on the verge of choosing their domain hosting must go through this article.
What is .com and .online Domain?
Define .com Domain
The .com domain is one of the first five domains and it was introduced in 1985. The real purpose of this domain extension was to target commercial businesses but as the online world expanded, it became a default option for websites. Currently, 44.4% of websites make use of the .com domain.
Define .online Domain
.online domain was introduced in 2015 under the registry Radix. It is a new domain extension which targets online-based businesses. This includes tech companies, startups, personal websites, etc.
Difference Between .com Domain Vs .online Domain
| Parameters | .com Domain | .online Domain |
| Recognition | The .com domain is the most recognised top-level domain. It is often associated with a well-established and reputable business. | The .online domain extension is a new and growing domain extension. It is usually associated with businesses that operate in digital space. |
| Availability | The .com domain name is old; therefore, it is quite exhausted and not easily available. | The .online domain extension is quite new; therefore, the availability is high, and there is a wide range of unique and desirable options. |
| Brand Implication | The .com domain builds reliability and trust, and whenever a website user thinks of a website, they imperatively believe that it ends with com. | The brand implication for the .online domain is not as strong as that for the .com domain, as it is quite a new option. |
| SEO Implication | There are many SEO advantages when it comes to the .com domain
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The .online domain offers modern SEO benefits like:
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How to Choose Between .com and .online Domain?
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Nature of Business and Location
The nature of your business is the first factor that helps you choose the right extension when you buy a domain online.
For instance, a business with a physical presence is likely to relate more to the .com domain than to the .online domain, as the .com domain is well-established and recognisable to customers. But if you operate entirely online, then the .online domain is more suitable.
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Target Audience
Another important consideration when choosing between the .com and .online domains is the target audience.
For instance, if the website’s target audience is from the old-school generation, then buy a .com domain as they might be more familiar with it. Otherwise, if your target audience is younger and tech-savvy, online works the best.
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SEO implication
SEO implications also apply when you buy a domain. Though .com is preferred due to its authority, the .online is also gaining popularity and is equally valuable.
Conclusion
The choice between .com and .online domain names depends on your needs. Furthermore, the three important elements to consider when making the choice are the nature of the business, the target audience, and the SEO implications. So, make the right choice and buy a domain online today and secure your brand.