What is a top level domain?
Top Level Domains
More information about top level domains can be found here.
| Common Unrestricted TLDs | ||
|---|---|---|
| TLD | Original use | Comments on current use |
| .com | Commercial organizations | The most sought-after TLD. Very hard to find useful, short unregistered domain names under .com |
| .net | Network infrastructure | Used by some ISPs |
| .org | Other organizations | Commonly associated with non-profit or non-commercial organizations, such as residential committees, volunteer groups, etc. |
| .biz | Businesses | A new TLD, created in 2001. Although targeted at business, most businesses prefer .com addresses, but .biz is gaining popularity |
| .name | Individuals, families | A new TLD, created in 2001. Still pretty uncommon, but chances are good that your name is available for registration |
| .info | Information sites | A new TLD, created in 2001. The most popular of the new set of TLDs, and often used for its intended purpose. |
| Restricted TLDs (not a complete list) | ||
| .edu | Educational institutions | Still restricted to schools, primarily post-secondary accredited US institutions. |
| .gov | Federal Government entities | Restricted to US Government. Now includes state and local government entities. |
Choosing an appropriate top level domain (TLD) can make your domain name much more memorable. Although many people want to get a .com domain name, a well-thought out .org or .net name can be more memorable, and easier to secure, than a .com name. For example, which is easier to remember - ex4mple-4432.com or example.biz? There is so much competition for .com names that most of the "good" names are already taken.
Through Bravenet you can register for any of the unrestricted TLDs listed above; in addition, you can use domain names registered elsewhere for your Bravenet websites, or transfer your domain to our registrar.