Com vs Net – What’s the Difference Between Domain Extensions

One of the most common questions we get from new website owners is whether they should choose a .com or .net domain. It seems like a small detail, but this choice can make a huge difference in your website’s success.

Here at WPBeginner, we chose .com, and we believe that’s the best choice for most websites.

After helping thousands of people launch their websites, we’ve seen how domain extensions affect everything from brand perception to marketing results. The data is clear: .com domains perform better in almost every metric that matters to business owners.

In this guide, we’ll explain exactly why .com usually wins, when .net might be the better choice, and how to make the decision that’s right for your specific situation. By the end, you’ll know exactly which domain extension will help your website succeed.

What Are .Com and .Net Domain Name Extensions?

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Ours is wpbeginner.com.

You can learn more about domain names in our beginner’s guide on What is a domain name and how do domains work?

Domain names always have an extension. This is called a TLD, which stands for Top Level Domain. For instance:

example.com
example.net
example.org

You can choose from a wide range of domain extensions when making your website.

Most domain extensions don’t have any restrictions on usage and lots of new domain extensions like .photography, .blog, and .tv have been created in recent years.

Originally, the domain extensions were created for different types of website, such as .com for commercial sites and .net for network-related sites.

You need to choose a domain name extension that fits your business while helping you build a recognizable brand in your industry.

Let’s take a look at the difference between the most popular .com vs .net domain extensions to see which is better for your business.

What Is the Difference Between .Com vs .Net Domain Names?

Com and Net are two of the most popular domain name extensions. If your preferred .com domain name extension is not available, then you might be tempted to use .net instead.

However, .net isn’t a good option for your business in most cases.

The ‘com’ in the .com domain name indicates a ‘commercial’ site. This can cover business websites that want to make money online, personal websites and blogs, portfolios, and more.

On the other hand, the ‘net’ in the .net domain name extension stands for ‘network’. It was designed for internet, networking, and email service providers.

If you’re wondering about .org, that stands for ‘organization’ and was originally intended for use by nonprofit organizations.

When Should You Choose a .Com Domain Name?

The .com domain extension has been synonymous with the internet since the ‘dot-com bubble’ in the late 1990s. Over 40% of all registered domain names are .com domains.

It’s much easier for people to remember a .com domain name than any other domain extension. It’s familiar and reassuring, plus it makes your site look professional.

Also, most mobile keyboards have a dedicated .com button. You often have to use different gestures to find a .net button, if it’s there at all.

There’s just one problem. You’ve probably noticed that .com domain names are so popular that it feels like all the good ones are already taken!

However, there are still plenty of clever ways to get the perfect .com domain name. Here are some things to try:

• Check that your domain name represents your business and what you do. For example, stargardeningservices.com is better for SEO than starservices.com.
• If your preferred domain name is taken, then you can add a word before or after it to make it unique. Your location could work well here, such as stargardeninghouston.com or thestargardening.com.
• Make sure your domain name can be easily pronounced and remembered. Don’t use hyphens or numbers in your domain name.
• Take advantage of online domain name generators like Nameboy. These free tools will help you come up with clever domain name ideas that are unique and still available. You can also use WPBeginner’s AI-powered free business name generator.

Need more help? We’ve got lots of practical tips and real-life examples in our article on how to choose the best domain name for your website.

When You Should Use the .Net Domain Extension?

The .net extension still makes sense in some cases. You could use it if you offer internet, networking, database hosting, email hosting, or similar services.

You might even want to use a .net domain name if it truly suits your brand.

For example, Behance.net is a popular online design community that uses a .net domain extension for their website. It suits them because they wanted to be a network of artists, designers, and companies looking for talent.

Under 4% of all domain names registered are using the .net domain extension.

Why You Might Be Tempted to Use the .Net Extension

Have you ever tried to register a .com domain and seen something like this?

Domain name registrars often present .net as the top alternative to .com. This might make you think it’s more commonly used than it actually is.

Even the most well-known internet and network service companies use a .com domain name for their business.

Of course, 4% is still a lot of domain names. Over 13 million, in fact. You might wonder who’s using all those .net domain names.

In many cases, the .net domains aren’t really being used.

Many businesses register a .net extension so no one else can take it. They may not use the .net domain at all, or they may redirect it to their .com. site.

Also, some brands use a .net because they couldn’t get the .com they wanted. Most later transferred to a .com domain extension, often keeping the .net domain name registered for technical and legal reasons.

Is .Com vs .Net Better for SEO?

A lot of our users ask us which domain extension will help them rank higher, .com vs .net.

In our experience, it doesn’t make any difference which you choose from an SEO perspective. Search engines will treat both domain extensions the same.

Just focus on SEO best practices and create useful targeted content to rank higher. The important part is your domain name itself, not the extension.

For example, stargardeningservices.com will rank better than starservices.net because it contains a keyword (gardening services) that people are likely to search for.

How to Buy a Domain Name

There are two ways to get a domain name. You can choose the one that best suits you.

1. Get a FREE Domain Name with Bluehost

To make a website, you need website hosting as well as a domain name.

This may seem a bit confusing when you’re new to creating websites. Make sure you’re clear on the difference between a domain name and website hosting.

Usually, you will pay around $14.99/year for a domain name and $7.99/month for hosting. If you are just starting out, then you may feel that’s quite expensive.

Luckily, the folks at Bluehost are offering WPBeginner users a free domain name and a 65% discount on hosting.

2. Register a Domain Name

If you don’t want to make a website straight away, you can still register a domain name and make a website later.

We recommend using Network Solutions for this. They offer features like private registration, easy transfers, easy DNS management, and more. Their search tool shows you premium domains as well as regular ones, too.

To get an exclusive 67% discount on your domain, make sure you go through our link to Network Solutions. Then, use our Network Solutions coupon code: NAMEBOY during checkout.

If you’re looking for Network Solutions alternatives, then see our list of the best domain registrars.

If this is your first time registering a domain name, then you may want to use our step-by-step guide on how to register a domain name.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domain Extensions

We get a lot of questions about .com vs .net domains from our readers. Here are the most common ones we hear, along with clear answers to help you make the best decision for your website.

1. Is .com better than .net for SEO?

Yes, .com domains generally perform better for SEO. While Google has stated that domain extensions don’t directly affect rankings, .com domains tend to get more clicks, have higher trust signals, and receive more backlinks naturally. This indirect SEO benefit makes .com the better choice for most websites.

2. Can I change from .net to .com later?

Yes, you can change your domain extension later, but it requires careful planning. You’ll need to set up proper 301 redirects, update all your marketing materials, and potentially lose some SEO value during the transition. It’s much easier to choose .com from the start if it’s available.

3. Are .net domains cheaper than .com domains?

Pricing varies by registrar, but .net domains are sometimes slightly cheaper than .com domains. However, the price difference is usually only a few dollars per year. The long-term marketing and branding benefits of .com typically outweigh any small cost savings from choosing .net.

4. When should I choose .net over .com?

Choose .net when your preferred .com domain is already taken and you don’t want to modify your brand name. .net also works well for network-related businesses, tech companies, or internet service providers since it originally stood for ‘network’.

5. Do people trust .com more than .net?

Yes, studies show that users perceive .com domains as more trustworthy and professional. Most people automatically assume websites end in .com, and they’re more likely to click on .com links in search results. This trust factor can impact your conversion rates and overall success.

6. Will .net hurt my brand’s credibility?

Not necessarily, but .com gives you a slight advantage. Many successful websites use .net domains, but .com is still considered the gold standard for business websites. If you’re building a professional brand, .com will give you the best first impression with potential customers.

We hope this article helped you learn the difference between .com and .net domain name extensions. You may also want to see our guide on the difference between a domain name and web hosting or our expert picks of the best domain name generators to help you pick a domain fast.

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