Is .Net Domain Good for Your Website?

Do you want to buy a .net domain for your website?

A .net domain was created for network sites but today, it’s used for more purposes than that. If you do choose a .net domain, you need to make sure it has a positive effect on your website’s SEO and branding potential.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at what the .net is meant for and which websites it’s best suited for.

What is a .Net Domain?

.net is a domain extension that is basically the letters that follow the dot in your domain name.

For instance, our domain name is nameboy and our extension is .com.

What you need to know is that .net is one of the most popular extensions in the world.

Some of the other popular domain extensions are .com, .org, and .biz.

The not-so-popular domain extensions include .club, .cafe, and .xyz. There are also country code domain extensions like .ny, .us, .ca, and .nz.

If you’re interested in learning more about domain extensions, take a look at our guide: What Is a Top Level Domain? (TLDs Explained + Popular Extensions).

Now, .net stands for ‘network’ and was created for networking websites or organizations that used networking technology. So for instance, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other infrastructure companies would be best suited for a .net domain.

Over time, with more websites being created, the .net domain is used for almost every kind of website.

Right now, there are approximately 13 million registered .net domain names. It’s so widely used that .net is only second to the most popular top-level domain – the .com.

Who Should Use a .Net Extension?

While choosing a domain extension, the first choice is always the .com domain. It’s the most recognizable extension and carries an instant trust factor.

Plus, it suits any website purpose including businesses, eCommerce, blogs, and personal websites.

However, sometimes, the .com version may be incredibly expensive or may already be taken and you may be tempted to register a .net domain.

You’ll want to read our comparison: Com Vs Net Extension: What’s the Difference and Which to Choose?

You can also check if your desired domain name is available using our Domain Name Generator.

If you’re considering a .net domain for your website, here’s what you should take into account:

• People recognize .net domains easily now. It is widely used and is popular enough to be trusted and remembered.
• A .net domain extension is sometimes much cheaper than the .com version.
• You can always get started with a .net and then switch to .com later when you have the budget for it or when it becomes available.

There are pros and cons to every domain extension. So up next, let’s see what kind of websites are usually created with .net domains.

What Kind of Website is Best for .Net Domain?

You can use .net for just about any website you want. That being said, it may work best for companies that offer internet services, networking services, database hosting, email hosting, or similar services.

It also is a good option for community sites. For instance, Behance.net is a popular online design community for artists and designers to network. Companies looking for talent can join the platform to easily connect with members.

Will the .Net Domain Affect SEO?

No. Google does not favor one domain extension over another. They will rank your website on SERPs (search engine results pages) if your content is relevant to the user’s search query.

Learn more here: What is the Best TLD (Domain Extension) for SEO?

When Should You Stay Away from .Net Domains?

If a popular website has been created with the .com version of your desired domain name, they may have trademarked the name.

If there’s a trademark or copyright, you could face issues trying to build a website on the .net version of the same name.

Learn more here: Should You Trademark Your Domain Name? (Beginner’s Guide).

Added to that, you may attract the wrong traffic as people mistake your site for the .com site.

How to Buy a .Com or .Net Domain?

Below we show you how to register a .net domain right away.

Step 1: Search for the Domain

To get started, go to Nameboy’s Domain Name Generator to search for your domain name.

Here, you need to enter your keywords into the search bar and hit ‘Submit’.

The generator runs an AI-based algorithm to find the most suitable domain name ideas for your keyword. It checks domain availability as well with Bluehost and Domain.com.

Next, it displays a list of available domain names along with the different extensions you can get.

Once you select the domain name you want, you can choose to register it with 2 domain name registrars:

• Bluehost: The best web hosting company that is even officially recommended by WordPress. If you choose to host your website with Bluehost, plans start at just $2.75 per month and you can secure a .com domain name for free for the first year. They also offer free SSL and free CDN.
• Domain.com: Domain.com is one of the oldest and best domain registrars and hosting providers. Register your domain name with Domain.com and get a 25% discount.

For this tutorial, we’ll show you how to check out with Bluehost.

Step 2: Check out with Bluehost

To proceed, click on the button that reads “Get a Free Domain Name with Bluehost”.

You’ll be redirected to Bluehost with the special offer auto applied. This deal contains:

-A web hosting plan at $2.75 per month
-Free domain registration for the 1st year
-Free SSL
-Free CDN
-Free email accounts
-1 click WordPress website install

There’s a Get Started Now button that you can use to see the different plans and discounts available.

On the next page, select the plan that fits your needs. You get 3 options here – Basic, Plus, and Choice Plus.

Once you choose your plan, you can Create a New Domain. Enter the domain name you want and select the .net extension from the drop down menu.

Now you’ll see that your domain name is available as Nameboy promised! All that’s left to do is enter your information to create a new Bluehost account.

Scroll down to review your package details. Bluehost suggests addons that you may want to add to your purchase. If you’re on a budget, we recommend unchecking all of theses addons. You can buy them later if you need.

When you scroll to the bottom, you can enter your payment information and submit the form.

With that, your new Bluehost account will be created with the selected domain registered in your name. You can access your dashboard and start setting up your website right away.

FAQs on .Net Domains

1. Is .net a professional domain?

Yes, .net is a generic top-level domain name that’s used in the Domain Name System (DNS) of the internet.

2. Can anyone buy a .net domain?

Though the .net domain was originally intended for organizations that carried out network technology businesses, there are no restrictions on who can register a .net domain. It is now a general-purpose domain that anyone can buy and use.

3. How much is a .net domain?

The cost of a .net domain depends on market value, brandability, SEO value, and other factors. It generally costs $8 to $14 per year.

4. Is .com or .net more reliable?

Both domain names are reliable. The .com domain extension is usually the more preferable domain name as it’s widely used and gives your website a more professional look.

5. Is the .net domain still popular?

Yes, the .net domain extension is only second to the .com domain extension in usage. There are approximately 13+ million .net domain names registered.

That’s all we have for you. We hope you found this guide helpful in deciding whether you should get a .net domain.

Interested in exploring other domain extensions? See our other resources:

• Who Should Get a .Org Domain (+How to Get One)
• Is .Club a Good Domain? (Pros & Cons Explained)
• Should You Register an XYZ Domain (Are They Worth It?)

These posts explore other popular domain extensions available.