Choosing a Domain and TLD That Work for You – How to Save Money Using Protocols

Many online businesses that decided several years ago to choose a cheaper alternative to .com are unlikely to regret it. Today, the domain name market is too dynamic, and prices for options ending in .com are skyrocketing due to high competition in the market.

If you already have a brand and want to go online, or are just starting your business, you should think not only about the name itself, but also about the extension (top-level domain), which will ideally become part of your identity. Practice shows that TLDs affect how your audience searches for, perceives, remembers, and trusts you, so this indirectly affects SEO.

But choosing a domain is not only about the creative process, but also about the cost, since even a simple domain (without .com or .net) will cost you several dozen dollars at best. By using promo codes and discount offers, you can save significantly on the purchase of a domain.

H2: Why TLD Isn’t a Trivial Matter

Like many other aspiring online entrepreneurs, you probably see TLDs as just a few letters at the end of your website address after the dot. In practice, this part of the domain can clearly indicate what you do, so it can act as a business card, helping potential customers understand what you offer faster and better. 

Although Google does not give preference to any particular TLD, the reality is that sites with relevant extensions rank better for specific queries. In addition, over 60% of traffic today comes from mobile devices, so you should use short and simple domain names to reduce bounce rates. 

Surprisingly, many continue to spend thousands of dollars trying to get a .com domain, forgetting that there are many cheaper and more effective alternatives. To avoid an expensive burden, be sure to review the available ICANN-approved TLDs to strengthen your brand and save significantly on registration and renewals.

H2: Features of Today’s Domain Market

Despite the fact that it appeared back in 1985, .com still has a fairly high share of around 40% today. But there are several prominent trends in the domain market that you should be aware of:

• The share of .com is gradually dropping due to the emergence and development of new technologies. For example, the boom in AI projects has not gone unnoticed, and therefore .ai TLD registrations have grown significantly in the last 4-5 years.
• Global brands still prefer country-code TLDs such as .co and .io as they are usually shorter and cheaper than .com. In addition, by choosing the domain purchase with Spaceship option, you can save significantly by using current promo codes from the registrar.
• Growth in the number of hybrid domains. To save money and get a good name overall, some brands combine TLDs with subdomains, and this trend continues to gain momentum today.
• Focus on niche and business specifics. There are now many different TLD options, so you can easily find one that more accurately describes the essence of your business (for example, .store or .shop if you have an e-commerce platform). 

If you are unsure about alternative domains, use special online tools to study your competitors and see how a particular TLD affects traffic. Ultimately, forget about the universality of .com and focus on your target audience instead.

H2: Finding the Best TLD for Your Brand

So, now it’s clear to you that searching exclusively for options ending in .com can only lead to unnecessary spending of your budget. To choose a good option from among several hundred existing alternative TLDs, follow a few simple steps:

• Define your brand’s DNA. That is, you need to answer questions such as who your audience is and what you sell. Collect 5-7 keywords that are most relevant to you and add different TLD options to find the one that looks and sounds best. 
• Check the availability of the options you like. You can easily do this by using WHOIS or ICANN Lookup services. But that’s not enough. Also use Ahrefs and similar services to estimate search volumes for different extensions.
• Test the domains on your friends. Show a few options to your contacts or on social media (for example, if you are a blogger) and ask which one sounds best. 
• Buy a domain at a bargain price. Although many options are offered for one year, buy for 2-3 years in advance to get a discount. Also, look for registrars offering bonuses and promo codes.
• Using a promo code, you can save significantly on a domain, but always read the terms and conditions carefully before registering. For example, some promo codes and bonuses are only valid for new users. 

In addition, a nice initial discount can lead to increased spending in the future. For example, some dishonest registrars impose service packages, most of which you will never need, so don’t fall for such tricks.

H2: What to Avoid When Choosing and Purchasing a Domain

The desire to save money can lead you to very cheap or even free options such as .tk. But it may not pass the search engine spam filters, so it’s better to choose from ICANN-accredited options right away. 

In addition, some business owners ignore geographical features. For example, if you want to create a global brand, use .com for the main domain and set up redirects to GEO-oriented TLDs to reach the maximum audience.

Finally, forgetting to renew a domain on time is another mistake that many people make. Set up auto-payment or reminders so that your domain doesn’t fall into the hands of resellers or competitors.

Remember that a discount on the purchase may be attractive thanks to a promo code, but the renewal price is significantly higher. So, check right away how much it will cost you to continue using the domain you’ve chosen for which you are being offered a discount.