Choosing a domain name and extension is one of the first steps in establishing a website. With all the careful brainstorming and consideration, choosing the perfect domain extension can become a bit overwhelming. However, keep in mind that domain extensions are not meant to make a website sound cool. They help in establishing the brand and the business online.
Domain for Businesses
For business owners, acquiring a domain extension that quickly identifies your website as a business page is a strategic move. In the past, people used .biz for their domain extension as well as the .net domain name. However, in the last few years, these extensions have fallen in popularity.
Meanwhile, suppose you’re doing business in Australia. In that case, the best choice is to register your website under .com.au as the .com extension has a solid global reputation and level of trust among consumers. The .au domain extension quickly identifies your brand as an Australian-based company that can attract more Australians to shop through your website.
Domains for Non-Profit Organisations
Non-profit organisations are now maximising the power of the internet to push and promote their advocacies. More than Facebook pages and Twitter handles, many of these organizations now operate websites for greater legitimacy.
For this specific reason, obtaining a .org domain extension is the best way to brand such a website. The .org extension has a high level of awareness both locally and internationally.
For Australian NGOs, check to see if there is an available domain for your organisation under .org.au. Again, adding the country’s extension quickly identifies your organisation is from Australia. Identifying where you are is a must, especially if you’re trying to attract people from your country to support your cause.
Domains for Personal Use in Australia
Residents of Australia can register for a personal domain under the .id.au extension. However, keep in mind that it should be connected to the .au extension since the extension .id is recognised as Indonesia’s country extension. A .id.au domain extension can’t be used for commercial purposes. If for some reason you can’t acquire a domain under .com.au, try using other established generic top-level domains such as .com, .net, .biz, or .info. But never a .id.au since it’s only allowed for personal use.
The Issues in Other Top-Level Domains (TLD)
As most countries push past boundaries by making their extensions available for non-residents, it is vital to know and understand the rules that come with the registry. What’s acceptable under global registries may not be the same in other countries. Play it safe by sticking to global TLDs, which you can register through domain registration services.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that country-specific domain extensions play a vital role in establishing a business that targets local customers. Knowing that the brand comes from the customer’s home country gives them a sense of confidence and assurance that they’ll get the best out of it. Meanwhile, generic domain extensions are more popular with the general population of the internet, which helps the website gain visibility and awareness worldwide.
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