.com vs .net – Differences Between Domain Extensions

What Is a Domain Name Extension?
Without domain names, visitors would have to use IP addresses, which would be hard to memorize and also inconvenient to type.
Preferably, a domain name should match your business name as it can help visitors easily find your site, driving more traffic and increasing brand awareness along the way.
A domain name extension is also known as a top-level domain (TLD). TLDs are the part of the domain name located right after the last dot.
The domain name extensions help inform visitors what the website is about. You have certainly noticed that there’s quite a list of domain extensions in use: .com, .net, .org, and many more.
Each of them fits a different purpose. Common domain extensions like .io, .com, and .net fall under the generic top-level domain (gTLD) category. While mostly trivial nowadays, .com stands for “commercial,” while .net is short for “network.”
Many non-profit businesses and organizations use the extension .org, which originated from “organization,” to show their non-commercial nature. However, anyone can use these domains, regardless of the type of website they have.
Other gTLDs, such as the sponsored top-level domains (sTLDs), are restricted to specific use cases – examples include .mil for military entities and .edu for educational institutions.
In addition to gTLDs, there are also country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs). A ccTLD represents the country the company or website is based in, such as the .at domain for Austria and .in for India.
Note that you don’t have to use a ccTLD just because you live in a certain country or have a business presence there. However, having a ccTLD usually makes it easier for customers to find local businesses.
Moreover, since some ccTLDs are homographs of common abbreviations, they are no longer associated with certain territories and have grown to be used as generic. For example, .cc domains were originally assigned to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. And .tv extension was used as a ccTLD for the Polynesian island nation of Tuvalu initially.
.com vs .net – Main Differences
Since both .com and .net are generic top-level domains, many people assume that they’re interchangeable. Knowing the difference between .com vs .net domain extensions is essential to choose which one is best for you.
.com is the most popular domain name extension, used on 52% of the websites on the internet. That’s because it mainly represents commercial intent, and it’s also very easy to guess.
If a customer wants to find your website, their first option will certainly be yourbrandname.com. Thus, .com is a domain name extension suitable for all types of online businesses, from eCommerce sites to blogs and corporate pages.
On the other hand, a .net domain extension isn’t as generic as a .com domain. Businesses that use .net extensions are mostly network services, database providers, and technology companies, such as ThemeForest.
.com vs .net – Pros and Cons
If you’re still debating between using .com vs .net, make sure to factor in the advantages and disadvantages that each may bring to your website. To help you out, we’re going to compare .com vs .net domain extensions in this section.
When it comes to using .com domain extensions, the main pros are:
Memorable. The .com extension dominates domain addresses, making it more recognizable than other extensions. People will instinctively type the .com domain extension when looking for your site.
Credibility. The .com domain will help present your website as business-oriented, helping to instill trust in customers.
Easier to type. A lot of devices have a dedicated .com button on the keyboard for quick typing, making your address mobile-friendly as well.
Affordable. This domain name extension is available for $8.99/year.
However, there are a couple of cons to consider:
Unavailability. It can be tough to find a domain name with .com available, as many websites already use it. As a result, you may need to look for a different domain name. Domain name generators can help you come up with an idea.
Too generic. If you provide services in a specific location or language, it might be more interesting to use a country-code top-level domain. It will help potential customers know that your business caters to their region.
As for the .net extension, some of its pros are:
Technology-oriented. The .net domain extension is a great choice for businesses that specialize in networking and internet services.
Domain Names and SEO
The truth is, your chosen extension won’t significantly impact your rank on Google or other search engines. You might have heard that .com has the most positive impact on your site’s ranking. However, other extensions like .net have an equal chance to rank well.
There’s one exception to this rule. Geo-specific extensions like .uk and .in will impact search rankings on the local level. The reason behind this is that audiences are more likely to click on the site when the domain name contains their country code.
However, owning a ccTLD is only possible if your business manager and the domain’s administrative contact reside in that specific country. In this case, secure your main domain extension along with the ccTLDs to expand your reach in target areas.
Experts advise including relevant keywords in your domain, such as mycakeshop.com instead of myshop.com. People who see your domain name will immediately know what your company is about. That’s more important than the domain extension alone.
So, if you want to increase your visibility on search engines, the best practice is to invest in a sustainable SEO strategy.
When to Use .com Domain Names?
The domain extension .com represents a professional entity that does business online. Due to this, the suffix .com is highly valuable from a branding standpoint.
It does not mean, though, that only for-profit companies are eligible to use .com. If you’re a non-profit organization, use a .com domain name to sell items or promote events to raise funds for your cause.
Today, the use of .com is more general in scope. Aside from a business website, a personal blog and a portfolio site can also go with the .com domain extension to improve their online presence.
When to Use .net Domain Names?
There are situations where you might want to use a .net domain name rather than .com to better reflect your business purpose.
A .net domain extension is best for websites that operate in the technology and networking field. It helps the audience understand what your business is by simply looking at your domain name.
An example is Slideshare.net, which is a networking platform for sharing pre-made slide designs, infographics, and other professional content.
So, as long as .net represents your business purpose, you can use it as a domain for your site.
Moreover, 3.1% of websiteshave the .net domain name. Since fewer websites use it, opting for a .net extension will make your domain more unique.
Do You Need Both Extensions?
To protect your site, consider acquiring .com as well as .net. This way, you’ll reduce the risk of competitors using a domain name very similar to yours and even capitalizing on it.
Customers might go to yourbusiness.com instead of yourbusiness.net, believing that they’re at the right place.
Typically, this kind of scheme attacks larger-scale sites. Malicious third parties might even ask you for a large sum of money in exchange for the imitated site.
Aside from security, having multiple extensions will help increase your site traffic. Even if customers enter your site from a .net domain name instead of a .com, they’ll still be redirected to the same page.
Domain Name Checker
Instantly check domain name availability.
Thus, check both .com and .net options on a domain checker and purchase both domains if possible.
One more thing you should be aware of is that your contact details are visible through WHOIS lookup tools. To protect your personal data, consider implementing domain privacy protection.
Conclusion
Both .com and .net are viable domain name extensions for business websites, but remember to keep their differences in mind before getting yourself a domain.
The .com extension is designed for general use – specifically for websites that make money online. For that reason, it’s a widely used extension, so it might be more challenging to find a .com domain extension available.
On the other hand, many technology experts prefer to use a .net domain extension as it is more fitting for businesses that deal with technology and other internet services. Compared to .com, it’ll be easier to find a .net domain name for your website.
When it comes to SEO, there’s no difference between .com vs .net websites. Your overall SEO strategy is more important for Google and other search engines than the domain extension itself.
We hope this article helped you understand when to use .com vs .net domains. Make sure to register your domain while it’s available by purchasing it through a domain name registrar or together with your web hosting plan.
Read More About Domain Names
.com vs .net FAQs
Are There Any Restrictions on .com or .net Domains?
There are some restrictions on .com and .net domains, but they are generally minimal. These domains are open for registration by anyone without any specific requirements. However, domain registrars and registries may have their own policies and restrictions regarding trademark infringement, abusive behavior, or illegal activities.
Is .com Better Than .net for SEO?
Neither .com nor .net domains have an inherent advantage for SEO. Both can rank well in search engines if optimized correctly. The choice between .com and .net should be based on the relevance to your business, availability, and brand preference rather than SEO considerations.
Which One, Between .com vs .net, Should I Use for My Business Website?
For a business website, .com is generally preferred due to its widespread familiarity and credibility. It is the most recognized and commonly used domain extension. However, if your desired .com domain is not available, .net can be a viable alternative that still conveys a professional online presence.
The author
Lulu J.
Lulu Nurul Janah is a web hosting expert who strives to create quality content to help businesses grow. She loves spending her spare time accompanied by sitcoms and her little brother.