.com

.com Domain Guide

Commercial

The original and most recognized domain extension. Originally intended for commercial entities, .com has become the default choice for websites worldwide.

Price

$10-15/year

Trust Level

High

Popularity

Very Popular

Type

gTLD

History

The .com TLD was one of the original top-level domains established in January 1985, alongside .net, .org, .edu, .gov, and .mil. Originally managed by the US Department of Defense, it was intended for commercial entities. The first .com domain registered was symbolics.com on March 15, 1985. During the dot-com boom of the late 1990s, .com domains became highly valuable, with some selling for millions of dollars. Today, there are over 150 million registered .com domains, making it by far the most popular TLD globally.

Best For

All businesses

E-commerce

Global brands

Any website targeting mainstream audiences

Who Should Use .com

Any business targeting a general audience
E-commerce stores and online retailers
International companies and global brands
Startups planning to scale
Anyone who wants maximum brand recognition

Who Should Avoid .com

Non-profits (consider .org instead)
Local businesses where country code makes sense
Tech startups where .io signals industry better
Developers who want .dev for portfolio sites

Pros

Universal recognition and trust
Best for brand recall - people assume .com by default
Strong resale value
No geographic restrictions
Excellent for SEO (neutral globally)

Cons

Most short, memorable names are taken
Premium domains can be very expensive
May need to get creative with naming

Technical Details

Registry	Verisign
Restrictions	None - open to anyone
Length	1-63 characters
IDN Support	Yes
DNSSEC	Supported
Privacy Protection	Available

SEO Impact

Neutral - .com has no inherent SEO advantage or disadvantage. Google treats all TLDs equally for ranking purposes. However, .com domains may have indirect benefits through higher click-through rates due to user familiarity.

Registration Tips

Always try to secure the .com first, even if you plan to use another TLD

Consider purchasing common misspellings to protect your brand

Use domain brokers for premium names that are already registered

Check trademark databases before registering

Set up auto-renewal to avoid losing your domain

Complete Guide

The Ultimate Guide to .com Domains

The .com extension is the gold standard of domain names. With over 150 million registrations, it's the most recognized and trusted TLD in the world. Understanding when and how to use .com effectively can make a significant difference in your online success.

Why .com Dominates

The Psychology of .com: When most people think of a website, they automatically append ".com" to the name. This ingrained behavior means:

Users are more likely to find you by typing [brandname].com
Less brand confusion with similar names on other TLDs
Perceived legitimacy and establishment

The Trust Factor: Studies consistently show that users trust .com domains more than alternatives:

33% of users report .com as the most trustworthy TLD
E-commerce conversion rates tend to be higher on .com domains
Business partners and investors often perceive .com as more established

Navigating .com Scarcity

Finding available .com domains is challenging, but not impossible:

Creative Naming Strategies:

Combine two short words (MailChimp, SnapChat)
Add a verb prefix (GetNotion, TryFigma)
Use industry modifiers (AcmeHealth, TechFlow)
Create portmanteau words (Pinterest = Pin + Interest)

When to Consider Premium Domains: Premium .com domains can be worth the investment if:

The domain is your exact brand name
You're planning significant marketing spend
The domain has existing authority or traffic
Your business model supports the acquisition cost

Negotiating Domain Purchases:

Start at 10-20% of the asking price
Use escrow services for protection
Consider payment plans for expensive domains
Work with professional domain brokers for high-value acquisitions

.com and SEO

Google has officially stated that TLD choice doesn't directly impact rankings. However, .com domains often perform well because:

Higher click-through rates in search results
More natural backlink profiles (people link to memorable domains)
Better user experience signals from reduced confusion

International Considerations

While .com is American in origin, it's truly global:

No geographic targeting restrictions in Google Search Console
Works well for multi-country businesses
Avoids the complexity of managing multiple ccTLDs

For region-specific targeting, consider:

Subdirectories: example.com/uk/
Subdomains: uk.example.com
Using hreflang tags for international SEO

Protecting Your .com Brand

Once you own your .com domain:

Register common variations and misspellings
Consider defensive registration of other TLDs
Monitor for typosquatting and trademark infringement
Use domain privacy to protect your information
Enable two-factor authentication with your registrar

Popular .com Domains

google.comWorld's largest search engine

amazon.comGlobal e-commerce leader

facebook.comSocial media giant

netflix.comStreaming entertainment platform

stripe.comPayment processing startup

notion.comProductivity software

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .com better than other TLDs for SEO?

Google treats all TLDs equally in rankings. However, .com may have indirect SEO benefits through higher click-through rates and user trust, which can improve engagement signals.

Should I buy a .com domain even if I use another TLD?

Yes, if possible. Many users will type .com by default, and owning it prevents competitors from acquiring it. You can redirect it to your primary domain.

How much should I pay for a premium .com domain?

Premium domains range from hundreds to millions of dollars. Consider your marketing budget, brand value, and how central the domain is to your business. A domain should cost less than what you'd spend to build equivalent brand recognition through advertising.

What happens if my .com domain expires?

After expiration, domains enter a grace period (typically 30-45 days) where you can renew at regular price. Then a redemption period with higher fees. Finally, it becomes available to the public, often through auction.