Your website is so much more than your online address. It’s a marketing tool. It’s your first impression. It’s your reputation. Your website name should be informative, clear, and concise.
Did you know that domain extensions meaning is important too? The extension is the part of the web address following the dot. For example, the domain extension for www.Host.ie tells visitors the website is in Ireland. That’s valuable information for a customer.
Before you add your site to the 1.8 billion websites in the world, learn how to pick the best extension. You spent time and effort choosing your domain name. Why wouldn’t you do the same for your domain extension?
Keep reading to learn which domain name extension makes sense for an Irish business.
Have you ever wondered about domain extensions? Does it matter which one you use for your business? Turns out, domain extensions provide valuable clues about the company or organization.
Your domain name and the extension are one unit. Don’t think of them as separate. You can buy a domain name and extension from domain registrars and hosting providers. Visit their website to search for the domain name and extension.
When you search you’ll get a list of domain names and extensions you can buy. You’ll see lots of domain extension options. Domain extensions are also called top-level domains (TLD). There are two categories: generic and country-specific.
The domain extensions show the purpose and type of website. For example, a .biz extension is for a business website. A .edu extension refers to an educational institution.
Next, let’s examine the specific types of extensions.
Every domain extension is either restricted or unrestricted. A restricted domain extension is only used in certain circumstances. For example, only members of the air transport industry can use the .aero extension.
Lots of countries restrict country code domain extensions. Only citizens or residents of the country can use the extension. In some cases, a foreign entity with a presence in a country can use the country code domain extension.
Unrestricted domain extensions are available to everyone. These include the .com, .org, .net domain extensions. Anyone in any location can register a domain with these extensions.
Below are the most common extensions and their meanings.
Most people begin by searching for .com. Did you know that stands for commercial? It’s used for websites that market product, but for many others, too.
Another common extension is .net. It refers to the internet or network. A company representing a network, or an internet enterprise uses this extension. Yet, it isn’t restricted to internet companies. Choose this extension if you can’t get your preferred domain name extension.
The .org extension refers to an organisation. It’s most often used by charitable and non-profit organisations.
The .edu extension is only for accredited educational institutions.
The .biz extension is an abbreviation for business. Only use it for business websites.
Country codes top-level domains (ccTLDs) are specific to a particular country. Here are a few examples:
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) publishes a list of ccTLDs. Next, let’s look at the benefits of ccTLDs.
One of the first questions Irish business owners ask about website domains is whether to use a .com or .ie name. Choose a generic TLD like .com, and you miss the chance to tell the world your company is in Ireland.
If it’s important to your customers that you’re based in Ireland, choose a .ie TLC. It gives you immediate credibility with your target audience.
People like to buy from a local website. Irish domain names are only for entities with a proven Irish connection. That can make it easier to get the domain name you want with a .ie extension.
If your company brand is well-known, a .com extension can work. But, if you need to provide extra info to search engines to improved your search results. Here are the top 3 benefits of a country code TLD (ccTLD).
When you want to target people in a specific part of the world, a ccTLDs do the job. If you’re in Dublin and have a .ie extension, your site appears in online searches by people living in Ireland. You won’t appear in results for someone in Italy or the United States — unless they specify a Dublin location.
The ccTLD gives you Search Engine Optimization value for local searches. When someone near you searches for your products, your ccTLD ranks you higher in the results.
You can build credibility with your ccTLD. How? By giving visitors confidence that your website is local. They’ll recognize your site as being somewhere they know.
Someone living in Ireland is more likely to buy from an Irish website than one on the other side of the world. Shoppers want to buy and visit sites that use their native language and currency.
Here’s a new idea that uses country code TLDs in a creative way. Some businesses have used the country codes as part of their domain name branding. They do so by using the domain name plus the domain name extension to spell out a word or idea.
A fun example is a company that combined “food” with the country codes TLDs for Ireland. They created the food.ie website. The options are only limited by your creativity.
Try a variety of combos until you find the perfect domain name for your business. Ireland’s country codes are well-suited to clever website addresses.
If you have an entity or presence in a country you may be eligible to use the country codes domain name extension. The rules and regulations info for ccTLDs is next.
It’s important to remember that some country code TLDs have restrictions. They limit the ability to renew, buy, and transfer a country code domain.
In Ireland, there are specific rules. If you buy a .IE ccTLD of Ireland you must meet IEDR requirements.
The requirements include a location in the 32 counties of Ireland. Or, you must provide proof of a connection to the country. The connection can be through trade or a commercial activity.
Another option is to use both a ccTLD and a generic TLD like .com. This helps your business reach international and local audiences. Depending on the business, it may make sense to reach out to a specific region as well as people around the globe. Choose the Right Domain Name and Extension
Here are some tips to help you choose the best domain name and extension for your business. Pay attention to all the work your website address can do.
Choose a domain name and extension that tells visitors how to view your business. Manage customer perceptions by presenting your company as a local company.
What can you do if the name you want isn’t available? Get creative. Develop several choices. Brainstorm ways to incorporate the extension and domain name into a singular message.
If you’re stuck for ideas, try a domain name generator to help with ideas.
If your oh-so-clever domain name is forgettable it isn’t helping your business. Make sure you choose a domain name that is easy for consumers to remember. It should be easy to type, too. Keep it simple and match it to your business goals and you’ll have a winner.
There are a few reasons companies buy their domain name with many extensions. The first reason is to make sure customers can find you. Some people may type in the wrong extension. If you own all the extensions you can redirect them to your website.
The other reason is to protect your company website from intruders. If you control all the extensions you don’t have to worry about copycats.
Always check the price. The cost for a domain name can differ between registrars. Make sure you get the best price by comparing the price. Different registrars offer different plans. Some include malware protection with the domain name service.
Choose a domain name and extension that works for search engine optimization. Why not pick a name that improves your rankings with search engines? As mentioned earlier, a country codes TLD can boost local search results.
Another tactic is to choose a domain name that describes your product. That way when people search for a product or service, your website name matches their search.
Domain extensions meaning is a way to tell potential customers who and where you are. Don’t make them guess. If you want customers to know you’re in Ireland, choose a country codes domain extension.
If you have questions on Irish domain names or any other concerns about domain names, contact Host.ie. Our experts are ready to help you find the perfect online name for your business.
