Compare: .com vs .net

While searching for a domain name for my web application, I wondered why .net is less popular than .com for domain names.

After doing some research, I found out that the .net domain is less used than .com for several reasons.

Familiarity

The .com domain is more widely recognized as it was one of the first top-level domains (TLDs) introduced in 1985. Due to the common usage of .com, people now tend to associate websites with it, hence making it so popular 🚀

Perception

The .com domain is often perceived as more professional and credible compared to other TLDs. This perception can lead businesses and individuals to prefer a .com domain to establish trust and authority 🤔

Commercial focus

The .com domain is short for "commercial," which implies that it is intended for businesses and commercial purposes. This attracts businesses and entrepreneurs who want to project a professional image online ⭐️

The .net domain, on the other hand, was originally intended for network-related organizations, such as internet service providers and network infrastructure companies. Over time, it has become more generalized, but it still carries that original connotation 🧐

Search engine optimization (SEO)

There is a belief that a .com domain may perform better in search engine rankings. Although search engines claim not to prioritize one TLD over another, some website owners believe that using a .com domain could potentially improve their SEO efforts 🤷‍♂️

Availability

Due to the high demand for .com domains, many desirable names are already taken. However, this can sometimes work in favor of the .com domain, as businesses and individuals are more likely to invest in acquiring a .com domain name that is already registered instead of opting for a .net domain 🙄

Marketing and branding

Businesses invest heavily in marketing and branding efforts to promote their .com domains. This further reinforces the notion that .com is the go-to TLD, and it helps maintain its dominance in the domain name space 💎

Conclusion

Despite these reasons, .net domains are still popular among certain types of organizations and are widely used for various purposes. It is essential to choose a domain extension that best suits specific needs and objectives ☝️