Question

Just wondering if there are any pitfalls using .net as the extension for a primary website. If you have some idea for a domain and the .com extension is already taken. I know it may take some traffic away possibly if people try to use the standard .com extension. In regards to SEO or any other basic effects this may have, are they any that anyone is aware of?

Thanks

Answer 1

If you can’t get the exact .com you want you could try a variation of the name

“And don’t sweat it if you can’t get the exact domain name you want. You can always be creative and get close with a couple of extra letters (e.g. backpackit.com or campfirenow.com).” – Getting Real by 37Signals

I’ve seen plenty of users that don’t even know how to use the browser’s address bar, they just type http://www.sitename.com into Google. With modern browser’s combined search/address bar a site’s extension becomes less important with good branding and searchable site.

Also consider your target audience. Net savvy users are more likely to notice/remember it’s .net and not .com.