What is a Top Level Domain? How to Choose your TLD for your Website

By Aditya varma

September 18, 2017


When you decide to bring your idea/business online, you will be having different questions like, which domain to select? which extension(TLD) to go with? where to register the domain? Let us explain and give you a better idea about the domains, registrar and the TLD’s.

What is a Domain

It is difficult to remember IP address for each and every website you host. So, to keep the things simple and catchy, domain names were introduced and it is much easier to remember them.

Domain names can identify one or more IP addresses. For example, the domain name FastWebHost.in represents about a dozen IP addresses.

When you want to browse any web URL, its easy to identify web pages with a domain name instead of using an IP.

Every domain name has a suffix that indicates which top level domain (TLD) it belongs to.

What are Top-Level-Domains

Top-level domain (TLD) refers to the last segment of a domain name, or the part that follows immediately after the (.) symbol.

TLD is also known as domain name extension.  They were mainly split into two categories.

1) Generic TLDs

2) Country-code TLDs.

Few examples of some of the popular TLDs are .com, .in, .org, .net, .gov, .edu etc..

Different registries maintain and manage each of the TLD by an organization authority under the direction of the "Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers" (ICANN)

1. Generic TLD's

Top level domain names like .com, .net, .org, etc.. refers to Generic TLDs, or gTLDs.  Examples of gTLD's are.

.COM - represents the word "commercial", and is the most widely  in use and highly influential domain extension in the world.

.NET - represents the word "network", and is most commonly uses by Internet service providers, webhosting companies or other businesses that are directly involve in the infrastructure of the Internet.

.ORG - represents the word "organization", and is primarily chosen by non-profits groups or trade associations.

.INFO - signifies a "resource/content" web site. Basically, information providing companies/organizations select this extension.

.EDU - This extension have special authorization only for educational institutions. It is not available openly with all registrar's just like other extensions.

.BI​Z - It is used for small business Web sites.

Country-code TLD's

Country_Level_Domains

Top Level Domain names with two letters (such .in .ca and .us) have been there over 250 countries and external territories. These extensions refers "country-code" TLDs or "ccTLDs".

.IN - is the country code for India. .IN extension and https://registry.in will be managing this.

.US - represents American Web sites

.CA - is the country code for Canada

.CO â€‹- is the country code for Colombia, in recent times it is becoming alternative for .com extensions.

Which Top Level Domain(TLD) to choose

Generic_Top_Level_Domains

When it comes to online marketing and SEO that if you have the perfect domain name, one that is memorable, easy to spell, and catchy, it doesn't matter what TLD it has. You can go ahead and book the domain name of your wish.

When you were suppose to select a TLD for your domain, you need to consider the below points.

  • Search for the Top Level Domain(TLD) relates to your business
  • Need to consider the geographical location of your business
  • If you are selling a product which could be sold only in India, it is always a better choice to go with .in extension. This helps you get good results when you start SEO for your website.

Conclusion

Anyone who is about to order domain name should consider the above basic options. This will surely help you choose a better domain name. You can also check our other article about "How to Choose Right Domain"

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