New domains are now available
What you need to know to protect your business from cybersquatters and benefit from the new Domain Landrush.
For decades, .com, .net, and .org were nearly the only options. Today, hundreds of new top-level domains — from broad extensions like .inc and .web to niche ones like .law, .camera, and .bike — are available across hundreds of registrars.
For most businesses, this is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Here's how to make the most of it.
The Opportunity: A Better Name
If your first-choice name wasn't available in .com, you may be able to claim it under one of the newer extensions. Because a new domain can point to your existing website, upgrading your name can be a quick and low-risk marketing improvement.
1. Your company or brand name
A company that settled for a longer .com — say, SmithRealtyNewYork.com — may be able to register a cleaner SmithRealty.inc and point it to the same site.
2. Industry-specific extensions
If a specialty extension fits your field (for example, .law for a law firm), registering it keeps it out of competitors' hands and avoids customer confusion.
3. Keyword domains to drive traffic
Unless your business is already a household name, customers search for the product or service they want — not your brand. A domain built around what you sell can lend instant credibility and reinforce your presence in search results.
The Responsibility: Protect Your Brand
You can safely ignore the vast majority of new extensions. But a few are worth registering defensively to protect your business from cybersquatters and customer confusion:
- A specialty extension that matches your industry, so competitors can't claim it
- High-visibility generic extensions your customers are likely to type, such as .inc or .web
- Any variation an unscrupulous competitor could use to siphon away your traffic
Registration fees for new extensions are typically modest — often in the range of $20 to $50 per year. That's an inexpensive safeguard compared with the cost of a domain dispute, which can run into thousands of dollars in filing fees alone.
See What's Already Registered
Before you plan your registrations, use BetterWhois to check which variations of your name and industry extensions are already taken.
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