Why .com is Still the King of Domains

Laurids Kern
Laurids·October 18, 2023
Find great .com domains

In the rapidly evolving digital era where businesses serve a global audience, a domain name is far more than just an online address. It's a powerful tool that underpins your business’ online presence and dictates how your brand stands out in the crowded online marketplace. The domain name you choose carries significant weight in influencing your brand recognition and credibility. Amidst the vast array of available domain extensions, .com domains have stood the test of time and consistently held the throne, maintaining their prestige in the domain world.

History of .com Domains

The .com domain extension was officially born in 1985 when the company Symbolics.com bravely ventured into the new digital frontier and became the first entity to register a .com domain. Fast forward over three decades, .com has long become more than merely a domain extension – it quickly grew to take on an iconic status, practically becoming synonymous with the internet itself, and primarily signifying commercial presence on the web.

Market share of .com

The overwhelming dominance of .com domains manifests itself clearly when you look at the statistics. According to Statista, as it stands today, the market share of .com makes up a whopping 47.8% of all domain names globally (as of Q2 2023). It's not just a trivial figure; it symbolizes the universal acceptance and widespread adoption of .com across various industries and regions.

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https://www.statista.com/statistics/265677/number-of-internet-top-level-domains-worldwide/

Popularity Among Businesses and Consumers

Businesses of varying sizes, and across diverse verticals, place their faith in .com domains. According to a report by Verisign, up to 61% of small businesses choose .com for their digital identity. The prime reason behind this preference is the unparalleled global recognition associated with .com. On the consumer side, .com domains often come with an implicit trust and credibility. Thanks to extensive years of internet exposure, many internet users typically default to appending “.com” when guessing web addresses—an example of significant memory bias at play.

SEO Advantages of .com

When it comes to the complex world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google maintains a neutral stand— insisting that all domain extensions receive equal treatment. But there’s an indirect SEO advantage derived from the overwhelming user trust in .com domains. As consumers tend to respond better to and click more on .com domain results, it inadvertently leads to improved metrics. High click-through rates and low bounce rates are proven factors linked to better search engine rankings. Thus, .com domains regularly experience enhanced SEO performance.

Resale Value and Investment Potential of .com

An angle of consideration that's often overlooked is the investment potential of .com domains. For investors in digital assets, .com domains present an appealing prospect. Their high resale values consistently outshine other domain extensions. Looking at the top 100 most expensive domain sales, 99 of which are .com domains, it becomes clear that .com domains consistently command higher sale prices in major aftermarket platforms.

Is .com Still the King in a World of .io, .ai, and .ly?

Impressive developments have been observed in the modern tech era, where domain extensions such as .io, .ai, .ly have caught the fascination of tech startups. There's no denying the enticing charm these domain extensions hold among the tech-savvy demographic; it lends a modern and innovative appeal to industry-specific ventures. However, despite the considerable noise these domains create on the horizon, when viewed from a broader perspective, .com continues to be the most coveted and sought-after domain. It continues to be the preferred choice for mature businesses looking at long-term, widespread recognition.

Why .com is Undisputedly the King

Standing tall against ever-expanding competition from other domain extensions, .com has cemented its sovereignty. Be it the unmatched market share, enduring history, global brand recognition, perceived SEO boost, or extraordinary resale value—each factor attests to the enviable status of .com domains. These domains remain an undisputed entity of the web, an icon that symbolizes the commercial web presence and continues to inspire confidence among businesses and consumers alike.

The Challenge of Securing a .Com Domain and How Indiebrands Simplifies the Process

Finding the perfect .com domain that aligns with your business and is still available can be a taxing challenge. The marketplace for .com domains is highly competitive, making it difficult for startups and SMEs to secure relevant, catchy .com domains without paying a hefty aftermarket premium.

Moreover, negotiation and acquisition processes in aftermarket platforms can be complex and time-consuming. However, this is where IndieBrands comes to the rescue. We provide an all-in-one solution, offering a handpicked selection of premium, accessible .com domains tailored for innovative ventures.

Not only do we ensure that these sought-after domains are more affordable compared to typical aftermarket prices, but we also include a custom-made logo with every purchase. This equips you with a full branding package right from the get-go, saving time, money, and the effort it would take to create these key brand elements separately. When you choose Indiebrands, you're not just getting a .com domain - you're getting a brand-ready, .com domain that can set your initiative apart in today's crowded digital landscape.

 

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