Domain Name Extensions
Is there a domain name extension definitions list? And what do the domain extensions stand for? Not too long ago business domain names were limited to just a few generic top level domain name extensions .com, .net and .org.
The A list of internet domain name suffix definitions:
.com - commercial
.net - network providers
.org - organizations
.biz - business
.name - people's real names
.pro - professionals
.info - information
.gov - government
.edu -education
What do the domain extensions stand for?
The .com domain extension was initially launched as a commercial domain name extension in 1985 and maintained by the US Department of Defense. In 1995 Network Solutions (NSI) took over maintenance and started charging fees for the .com and started offering .net and .org as well. Back in those days a domain name from NSI would cost you $50 per year with a minimum of a two year domain name registration. NSI was involved in a law suit because many people thought the domain registration charges were excessive coupled with how NSI determined "so called" inappropriate names. There is a more level playing field today with over 500 domain name registrars. Today a domain name can be purchased for $7 - $35 per year.
What is a biz domain? .biz was introduced in 2001 as a business or commercial use domain name extension. In 2008 the .biz domain had passed 2 million registrations and is now ranked 10th most registered domain extension in the world.
.name - Launched in 2002 for peoples real names, nicknames, screen names, or other personal names. The .name domain extension can be registered 3 levels deep (ex. mary.smith.name). In 2004 second level names were also made available (ex. smith.name)
.pro - Originally launched June 2004 the registrations were restricted to lawyers, accountants, physicians and engineers in France, Canada, UK and the US. The .pro domain extension was updated in 2008 to include government certified professionals in all countries. The application process to register a .pro domain name requires the applicant meet eligibility requirements for their profession. The price for a .pro domain extension starts at $29.99 and goes up from there, be sure you shop around and read the fine print. Not all registrars call register .pro domain names. For a complete list of domain name registrars and the domain name extensions they can register go to the official ICANN list of accredited registrars http://www.icann.org/en/registrars/accredited-list.html
.info - was the most popular or the domain name extensions added in 2000 to relieve the overcrowding of the other domain names. By 2008 the .info extension had over 2 million registered domain names. Anyone can register a .info domain extension.
Other Internet Domain Types:
.aero - aviation related
.asia - Asia-Pacific region
.cat - Catalan language and culture
.coop - co-operatives
.mil - military
.mobi - mobile devices and mobile web
.museum - museums
.tel - operated by Telnic
.travel - travel agents, airlines, bed and breakfast and travel industry
The 2008 Top 10 domain name registrars in the U.S. by volume:
GoDaddy
Enom
Network Solutions
Wild West Domains
Register
Moniker
Dotster
Onlinenic
Directnic
Domain Discover
When buying a domain name use these useful facts:
Domain names tend to be registered as soon as they are available. The minimum characters in a domain name started at 2 but now the standard is a minimum of 3 characters per domain name. There are currently no domains available in the 3, 4 and 5 character category. The most common domain name lengths are from 3 to 11 characters. Although domain names can be up to 63 characters long most domain names are around 11 characters long. The best pick is a short domain name because they are easier for people to remember.
If you are having trouble finding a domain name that is not taken try out one of the domain name wizards that will suggest available names from keywords you type in. Just do a search for domain name wizard and you will find a few.
Domain names must not infringe on trademarks. You cannot register a name that does not belong to you such as Pepsi, Microsoft, and John Able Tree Service if you are not John Able.
To learn more about domain names read this excellent article which includes what to look out for when buying an internet domain name that is cheap or free. http://www.mybusinessonline.com/domain-names.html
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