When setting up a website and registering a domain name, you will definitely know about the top-level domain extensions like .com vs .net. Choosing the right domain name is extremely important for your business goals and website growth because it can impact your brand and search rankings.

In this article, let's find out with EDUTO the difference between .com vs .net domain name extensions and which one will be the better choice for your website.  

Domain name concept

A domain name is the address of your website that people type into their browser's URL bar to access your website. Simply put, if your website were a house, your domain name would be its address.

Different types of domain names 

Top-level domain - TLD

Top-level domains or TLDs are generic domain name extensions listed at the top level in the domain name system.

There are hundreds of TLDs, but the most popular ones are .com, .org, and .net. Other TLDs are less well known and not necessarily the best choices for domain names. For example: .biz, .club, .info, .agency, and more.

Country code top-level domain names - ccTLD

Country code top-level domains or ccTLDs are country-specific domain names that end with a country code extension such as .uk for the United Kingdom, .vn for Vietnam, .de for Germany, .in for India....

They are used by websites that want to target an audience in a specific country.

Sponsored Top Level Domains - sTLD

Sponsored top-level domains or sTLDs are a category of TLDs that have a sponsor representing a specific community served by the domain extension.

For example: .edu for education related organizations, .gov for the US government, .mil for the US military, etc.

Read more: The importance of international connections in the IT Outsourcing industry

What are .com vs .net domain extensions?

As mentioned above, a domain name is the address of a website on the internet. This is what your users will type into their browsers to access your website.

And this domain name must have at least one extension. And the most popular extensions are .com vs .net

You are free to choose a domain name from any of the extensions to create your website. However, these extensions are created to differentiate between different types of websites.

You need to choose a domain extension that suits your business while helping you build a recognizable brand and authority in your industry.

The difference between .com vs .net domain names

.com vs .net are two of the most popular domain name extensions. If your preferred .com domain extension is not available, many domain name generators will suggest .net as an alternative.

However, it is not a suitable alternative for your business in most cases.

The word "com" in .com domain name is meant to represent commercial domain name. This includes all business websites, websites that want to make money online, personal websites, blogs, portfolios.

On the other hand, the “net” in the .net domain extension represents websites related to the Internet. It is recommended and suitable for internet service providers, email and networking.

Both .com vs .net are should choose base on your business’s request, each type of .com vs .net are right for each websites.

Read more: Top quality IT Outsourcing companies in VietNam

When should you choose a ".com" domain name?

The .com domain name is the oldest and most widely used top-level domain name today. Nearly 46% of all registered domain names end with ".com".

There is no denying the popularity of “.com” domain names, they make it easier for your website to be branded, promoted and help you grow your business. And that is why users find it easier to remember .com domain names than any other domain extensions. That is why it is always appreciated.

Note: If you want to create any kind of business website, you should always use the .com domain extension. It gives your website a familiar address and makes your business look more professional.

When should you choose a ".net" domain name?

You should use a .net domain name if you will be providing internet, networking, database hosting, email hosting or similar services.

You can still use a “.net” domain name if it fits your brand, but you’ll need some serious marketing talent to pull this off. 

Nearly 4% of registered domain names are using the .net domain extension. Domain registrars are starting to use .net and other domain extensions instead of .com, which may suggest that it is more popular than it actually is.

It was originally intended as a domain extension for Internet service providers and networks. Many real and well-known international Internet companies still primarily use .com for their business. However, many businesses register a .net domain extension for their brand so that others cannot infringe upon their business name.

Some companies started using it because they couldn’t get their preferred .com domain name. Most of these companies would soon switch to a .com domain extension as well, but they kept the .net domain name for technical and legal reasons.

More: EDUTO’s Service

“.com” vs. “.net” – Which is better for SEO?

Many users when choosing between .com vs .net domain extensions wonder which domain name is better for SEO and helps the website rank higher. The answer is, choosing either one will not affect your SEO.

Search engines will treat both domain extensions the same. You will just need to focus on the best SEO tools and create useful, targeted content to rank higher.

The really important part will be your domain name, not the extension.

In short, each type of domain name extension can be suitable and affect the development of your website depending on the type of business you choose. We hope that the article has brought you a new useful knowledge about website management. 

However, building a website is not enough for a website to grow and develop. You need to have the right and effective management method. If you do not know how, EDUTO will help you with the product software, website, app... -  a service of designing SEO-standard websites , effectively managing websites and accelerating sales. With EDUTO, building a brand and increasing brand value will not be your concern now is choose .com vs .net.

Finally, EDUTO wishes you always success!

‍