Choose .com if:
- • You're building a business website
- • You want maximum credibility and trust
- • Your audience expects a traditional domain
- • You're unsure which to choose
Choose .net if:
- • Your desired .com is unavailable
- • You're in tech/networking industry
- • You're building a network or platform
- • You want an alternative to .com
Pricing Comparison at namepick.co
Commercial Standard
.com costs £3 less per year than .net
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Factor | .com | .net |
|---|---|---|
| Public Recognition | Excellent | Good |
| Business Credibility | Highest | Moderate |
| Tech Industry Appeal | Strong | Excellent |
| Email Professional Look | Excellent | Good |
| Domain Availability | Limited | Much Better |
| Annual Cost | £9.99 | £12.99 |
| User Expectations | Default Choice | Alternative |
| Resale Value | Higher | Lower |
Perfect Use Cases for Each Extension
- Business Websites:
Corporate sites, service providers, consultancies
- E-commerce Stores:
Online shops and retail businesses
- Brand Websites:
Companies building brand authority
- General Purpose:
When you're unsure which extension to choose
- Tech Companies:
Networking, internet services, hosting providers
- Online Communities:
Forums, social networks, collaborative platforms
- Alternative to .com:
When your preferred .com is unavailable
- Professional Networks:
Industry associations, professional groups
The History Behind These Extensions
.com Origins:
Originally created in 1985 for "commercial" entities, .com quickly became the most popular domain extension. It's now used by businesses, individuals, and organizations worldwide.
- • First registered domain: symbolics.com (1985)
- • Over 150 million .com domains registered
- • Default choice for most businesses
.net Origins:
Also created in 1985, .net was originally intended for "network" infrastructure companies. Today it's used as a general-purpose alternative to .com.
- • Originally for networking companies
- • About 13 million .net domains registered
- • Popular in tech and networking industries
Today, both extensions can be used by anyone for any purpose, but their original meanings still influence public perception.