Header Text – Why A .com Domain For Your Website Can Boost Your Business


The .com domain is the most widely used top-level domain (TLD) worldwide, with a level of user trust and recognition that other extensions struggle to match. Since its introduction identifying commercial entities, .com has gone on to become the ‘go-to choice’ for business and personal sites. This discusses the benefits of registering a domain name with the .com extension, its background, and the tools you can use to find yours quickly and easily with Hosted.com.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Originally used for commercial organizations, the .com extension offers major advantages in recognition, memorability, and potential SEO value that other TLDs struggle to match.
  • Finding, registering, and managing .com domains with Hosted.com is quick, easy, and affordable, thanks to our AI Domain Name Generator and Bulk Registration.
  • Domain protection is essential for maintaining continuous ownership and preventing unauthorized access or loss of your valuable .com domain.
  • Careful consideration of trademarks, usability, and branding potential helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures your domain name choice supports long-term business success.

Why Use A .com Domain Name

The .com domain extension, along with other original TLDs (Top-Level Domains) like .org, .edu, and .gov, was first established when the Domain Name System (DNS) was implemented in 1985 and administered by the United States Department of Defence and regulated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The first domain name registered using the extension was symbolics.com.

While initially intended for commercial purposes, today it has no restrictions and has become a global choice for all types of websites from online stores to personal blogs and large corporations. Not only that, but some site addresses with the .com TLD have become highly valuable; the most expensive premium domains selling for millions of dollars.

These days, having a .com domain or URL can almost instantly give credibility to your website. This is because most users tend to trust and remember .com web addresses more easily than other extensions.

Search engines have historically shown a slight preference for .com top-level domains in results, due to their widespread use and recognition. However, this has diminished over time as they now focus more on factors like content quality, user experience, and backlinks. Having said that, using a popular domain name extension like .com can still potentially help your site rank higher.

The global recognition also makes .com websites ideal for international small businesses as they aren’t limited to a specific region or location, like ccTLDs (Country Code TLDs). The same goes for more specific TLDs like .net domains, associated with networking and technology.

While there are a range of alternatives to .com that can be viable options, they generally require more effort to establish the same level of visitor trust and recognition.

Strip Banner Text – The .com TLD is the most popular and widely used extension worldwide.

How to Choose the Perfect .com Domain Name

Choosing the right domain name is an important first step when setting up your website. By following these simple tips, you can get one that is catchy, memorable and helps your business stand out from the competition.

  1. Keep it Short and Simple: Avoid long, complicated names that are hard to type or recall.
  2. Avoid Numbers and Hyphens: When you can use numbers and hyphens in your domain, these can make your web address harder to remember and potentially confuse visitors.
  3. Use Keywords: Research and add relevant keywords that describe your business, products, or services. This can also help with Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

AI Domain Name Generator

This latest online tool from Hosted.com uses Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to generate creative and unique domain name suggestions based on your input in seconds. Additionally, each suggestion incorporates proven SEO principles to help boost your website’s search engine visibility.

The AI Domain Name Generator comes in two versions: Basic and Advanced. Both are completely free to use with upfront pricing and easy registration through our secure payment gateway.

Enter a short description, or up to 10 keywords, in the Basic version or use the Advanced version to fine-tune your search by specifying your industry, brand name, length, and words to include and exclude.

Every domain name generated is checked in real-time for availability. No more spending hours brainstorming, only to be disappointed when the one you want for your new website is already taken.

Steps to Register Your .com Domain with Hosted.com

Registering a .com domain starts with checking availability with the Hosted.com domain search tool (you can save time using the AI Domain Name Generator above). Once you find one that suits your business, simply follow these steps to get your new website address:

  1. Click “Add to Cart”
  2. Choose your Registration Period from 1-10 years and proceed to “Checkout”
  3. Log in to your Hosted.com Account or, if you are a new customer, create a new one.
  4. Enter your Contact Information, including your name, email address, phone number, etc.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete your Payment via our secure payment gateway.
  6. Follow the instructions in the Verification Email we’ll send to you.

That’s it! Your new .com domain name is ready to go. You can manage all your domain’s settings through our user-friendly Control Panel.

Not only can you register a domain for your site quickly and easily, but for a limited time Hosted.com is running a special for all new and existing clients! Register a NEW .com domain for $5.17*, which  includes the $0.18 ICANN fee, so instead of $6.99* you save 26% off!

Bulk Domain Registration

Want to register more than one domain name? We have you covered with our Bulk Domain Registration service. Registering in bulk can go a long way to protecting your brand and expanding your business, here’s why:

  • Preventing competitors from purchasing similar ones.
  • Multiple domain names can be used to redirect traffic to your main site.
  • Create landing pages or mini sites for promotions, events, or product launches.
  • Domain names can be an investment by buying them to resell later for a profit.

Just like registering a single web address, we include all the tools needed to manage your domain portfolio in our Client Portal. This includes DNS management, domain forwarding, and WHOIS privacy settings. We also include free Domain Parking until your website is ready to launch.

Finally, every domain name needs a website. In addition to easy, affordable registrations, you can benefit from our additional services including our lightning-fast cPanel Web Hosting (with the advantage of our very affordable Website Builder as an add-on), WordPress Hosting, and more.

This allows you to get a professional, high-performance, secure website up and running in no time. Customize your site according to your needs, as well as getting the added benefit of having all your services under one umbrella, backed by our 99.9% Uptime Guarantee, a free SSL certificate, and expert Customer Support.

Strip Banner Text – Quick, easy, and affordable domain registration with Hosted.com [Learn More]

Protecting Your .com Domain

Domain Protection is essential for protecting your website, online reputation and business. Privacy protection shields your personal information from public WHOIS databases. This helps with preventing spam, unauthorized access, domain hijacking attempts, and any other potential security threats.

Our automated Renewal Notifications ensure that you never accidentally lose your domain to expiration dates, giving you ample time in which to renew. We make sure you know well in advance when it’s time to renew after the first year (dependent on the registration period).

Easy DNS security implementation with our free 1-Click DNSSEC solution. DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) helps stop attackers from manipulating or forging DNS data, which could redirect users to malicious websites by using your web address.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to domain name registration, common mistakes may lead to legal and marketing issues and lost traffic.

As mentioned earlier, long, complicated domain names with hyphens, numbers, or unusual spellings make it harder for internet users to find and remember your site’s address. Choose a domain that’s easy to spell correctly to avoid losing potential customers.

Take time to research trademarks. Using someone else’s registered trademark as a domain name can result in expensive legal battles and forced domain surrender.

A domain is much more than just a human-readable version of your site’s IP address. Short-sighted choices can limit long-term branding potential, your future growth, and online recognition, meaning your choice should align with your online business goals.

Additionally, always ensure that a new domain name can be used for your social media profiles. This helps avoid confusion when visitors follow links on your social profiles to your website.

FAQs

Can I buy a .com domain permanently?

No, domains cannot be purchased permanently. They can only be registered for a maximum of 10 years at a time, with an option to renew.

How long does it take for a .com domain to become active?

Most .com domains become active within 24-48 hours of registration, though it can sometimes be as quick as a few minutes depending on the domain registrar.

What should I do if the .com domain I want is taken?

You can either choose a different second-level domain name, try to purchase it from the current owner, or consider alternative extensions (.net, .org, etc.).

Can I sell my .com domain if I no longer need it?

Yes, you can sell your domain through domain marketplaces, brokers, or directly to interested buyers.

Is it possible to have web hosting and a domain with the same provider?

Yes, Hosted.com offers both domain registration and web hosting services. This “one-stop-shop” approach is convenient as it simplifies management and billing. We also offer a free domain registration* with selected hosting plans.

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