There are hundreds of different domain extensions out there. If you’re starting a new website and buying a domain, it can be challenging to figure out which option is the best for you or which domain registrar will best help you figure it out.

What if the .com domain you want to register is unavailable? Is it worth getting that domain name with a different extension? And if so, where should you get it?

These are some common questions and problems that every beginner has when they’re buying a domain for the first time. This guide will help you make sense of the best domain extensions.

What is a Domain Extension?

A domain extension is the final piece of every domain.

Here at Quick Sprout, our domain extension is .com. While .com is definitely the most recognizable extension, there are actually countless other domain extensions for you to choose from.

That’s why it’s so important to purchase your domain from one of the best domain registrars on the market today. These registrars offer a wide variety of options to choose from, in addition to .com extensions.

The Basics of Domain Extensions

There are certain things that you need to consider if you want to have one of the best domain extensions. We’ll break down the core components of this category below.

Domain Privacy and Protection

Domain privacy and protection is definitely something that you need to have. Lots of the best domain registrars will include this service for free. Even if you have to pay for it, don’t skip out on this add-on.

Without domain privacy, all of your personal information will be listed on a public Whois database. This includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Whois protection services hide all of your personal information.

You definitely don’t want that info on the web for anyone to find. Otherwise, you’ll be bombarded with spam and fraud calls, emails, or maybe something worse.

Renewals and Transfers

All domains must be registered for a minimum of one year. Some domain registrars allow you to register it for longer periods, usually up to five years. If you know that you’ll want that domain for a while, it’s definitely worth registering it for the longest allowable length of time. This just gives you one less thing to worry about and reduces the chances of your registration lapsing.

Always turn on auto-renewal if it’s available. Again, this is just peace of mind so you won’t have to worry about manually renewing your domain five years from now. Once the registration lapses, it will be available on the open market for someone else to purchase.

It’s also worth noting that some domain registrars have different prices for renewals. This shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind. You should also consider the fees and process associated with transferring your domain from one registrar to another.

TLDs and ccTLDs

TLD stands for “top-level domain” and ccTLD stands for “country code top-level domain.”

Common TLDs are .com, .net, .org, and other extensions that you see on a regular basis. ccTLDs are location-specific, such as .ca (Canda) or .uk (United Kingdom).

Generally speaking, it’s always in your best interest to go with a TLD. We rarely recommend people to register extensions like .club or .fun. Most people associate .com domains with a site that’s reputable and trustworthy. If you register a domain extension that nobody has heard of, it may lower the perceived credibility of your site.

Bulk Domain Purchase

Some of you might be interested in buying multiple domains simultaneously. If you fall into this category, there are definitely certain domain registrars that are better than others for your needs.

You need a bulk search tool and a shopping experience that makes it easy to add lots of domains to your cart at once. Consider using a domain registrar that has a bulk discount program as well.

Some people like to register multiple extensions for the same domain. For example, you could register yoursitename.com, yoursitename.net, yoursitename.io, etc.

This prevents other people from registering your domain with another extension. However, this will obviously add to the cost of your registration, and it’s not something that we typically recommend.

3 Tricks For the Best Domain Extensions

We’ve registered countless domains and different domain extensions throughout our careers. Our experience has taught us some great tips over the years, and we’d like to share those quick hacks with you.

Trick #1: Consider Free Domain Registration (But Be Selective)

You don’t have to pay for a domain name. In fact, you can even get a .com domain for free.

Lots of service providers out there offer a free domain, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should go with that particular option. Be selective. Nine times out of ten, it’s better to get your domain name from a domain registrar and your hosting from a web hosting provider. But there are exceptions to this rule.

If it’s your first time buying a domain and starting a website, it might be easier to bundle services under one roof. In this case, go with Bluehost. Bluehost is an industry leader in the web hosting space, and they’ll give you a free domain for one year.

Trick #2: Ignore Small Price Differences

As you’re checking out different options for domain registration, you’ll likely notice some price differences between one domain registrar and another. Don’t let a dollar or two be the deciding factor here.

In the long run, this marginal difference is insignificant. Instead, look at the big-picture. Some services offer cheap domain extensions when you first sign up, then increase the cost when you renew.

Is your registrar offering free privacy protection? What other services are you getting? Can you turn on auto-renewal? How long can you register your domain for? Even factors like customer service should be taken into consideration.

Cheaper isn’t always better. Getting the best domain extension is more important than saving $15 over the course of five years.

Trick #3: Shop Around For the URL and Extension You Want

Generally speaking, any available domain name can be purchased from a reputable domain registrar, including the tools listed earlier in this guide. But some registrars only offer certain TLDs. This is usually the case if domain registration isn’t the primary service offered by a particular platform.

So if the URL and domain extension you want can’t be registered from the first place you looked, don’t assume that it’s impossible to get. Shop around and look at other domain registrars. You can probably find what you’re looking for elsewhere.

This is especially true if you want a really unique extension. You might not be able to get an extension like .wedding or .cool from a web hosting provider. But a service that specializes in domain registration will have more options.