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In the early days of the Internet, sites with .com addresses were businesses with the intent of selling something, either directly or indirectly. The .com suffix contrasts with .net, .gov, .edu and .org, which represent networking, government, education and organization entities.
Once Internet access spread across the globe, dot-com lost its meaning as a commercial designator. Today, anyone can purchase a URL with a .com top-level domain for any purpose.
Before diving into the meaning of ".com," it's important to understand what a domain name is. Simply put, a domain name is the address where internet users can access a website. It functions as a unique identifier for each website on the internet. When you type in a domain name like **www.example.com**, your browser connects to the corresponding website using that address.
The ".com" in a domain name stands for "commercial." The .com at the end of the most popular web addresses (such as rshweb.com) is called a Top Level Domain Name. The .com ending is the world's most common generic top-level domain.
The .com differs from other top-level domains that are meant for content that is more specific, such as .mil for U.S. military websites and .edu for educational websites.
Using a .com URL will not offer any special significance other than perception. When someone sees a .com address, they immediately assume it is a serious website because it is the most common TLD. However, it has no technical differences over any other Top-Level domains.
The domain was originally administered by the United States Department of Defense. It was introduced as one of the first top-level domains (TLDs) when the Domain Name System was first implemented for use on the Internet in January 1985.
The .com was originally created to represent the “Commercial” intent of a Website
The first .com was claimed on March 15, 1985, by a computer manufacturer called Symbolics, Inc. Prior to this, the Internet was largely a project driven by universities and computer scientists who used the network for research and communication. As more people and institutions began to use the network, electronic communications became increasingly challenging. Figuring out how to manually route messages through gateways was something of an art form and as email loads became heavier, and people would be asked to stop using their connections.
There are several reasons why ".com" became the dominant TLD over others. These factors contributed to its widespread popularity and its continued use today.
Because of the commercial success of these early adopters, ".com" gained an aura of success and professionalism. As a result, other businesses, both large and small, sought to secure their ".com" domain to establish themselves as legitimate players in the digital world.
A strong domain name is crucial for any business or personal brand. The domain you choose can have a significant impact on how your brand is perceived. Here's why ".com" is often the preferred choice for branding:
While ".com" is often the best choice for businesses and individuals looking for a professional online presence, it’s not the only option. If you’re considering a domain name for your website
Six top-level domains categorized the first websites that were around at the inception of the World Wide Web. Addresses ending in .com were meant for website publishers who were trying to profit through their services in a Commercial type business
The original six are listed as.
.com - Commercial
.net - Networking
.org - Organization
.edu - Education
.gov - Government
.mil - Military
Domain Registrars register or reserve Domain Names. General registrars let you choose any available TLD when you buy a domain name. In most cases, you can buy a domain name relatively inexpensively, but some highly desirable domain name extensions are available only at top-dollar prices
Some of these highly desirable domains are
.audio - $114.99 a year
.blackfriday - $114.99 a year
.sucks - $218.99 a year
.hosting - $329.99 a year
.flowers - $114.99 a year
.game - $329.99 a year
.hiv - $195.99 a year
.juegos - $329.99 a year
.security - $2,079.99 a year.
There are literary hundreds of Top-level domains and millions of websites.
Having a .com Domain does not mean your website is a legally commercial and or licensed business. The Domain registration authorities have expanded their criteria to allow anyone to have a .com address, regardless of whether the registrant harbors commercial intent.
Hundreds of top-level domain names are available to the general public, including .org and .net, which are used to denote nonprofit organizations and network and computer topics, respectively. Those TLDs, just like .com, are also not limited to certain organizations or individuals, they are available for anyone to purchase.
Most TLDs use three letters, but there are also two-letter TLDs called country code top-level domains, or ccTLDs
Some examples include
.it Italy
.jp Japan
.mx Mexico
.sa Saudi Arabia
.se Sweden
.ca Switzerland
.uk United Kingdom
.us United States.
For a complete list of Internet top-level domains, see the WorldStandards.eu website.
Other TLDs that are similar to .com may be sponsored or have certain restrictions on registration or use. The Root Zone Database page on the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority website serves as a master index of all the TLDs.
Find out instantly if your Domain Name is available. Then register it before someone else grabs it.
The ".com" extension has been and continues to be the most recognized and widely used domain suffix. Its history, trustworthiness, and association with commercial success have helped it maintain a dominant presence on the internet. While there are alternatives, and some may be suitable depending on the nature of your website, the ".com" extension remains the gold standard for most businesses, organizations, and personal websites.
If you're launching a new website or business, securing a ".com" domain is often the best choice for long-term branding, trust, and SEO. However, it’s important to weigh factors like availability, branding needs, and audience preferences when selecting your domain extension.
If you are interested in purchasing a Domain Name Consider using RSH Web Services as your Domain Registrar
And with any of our Hosting Accounts, Domain Names are included at no extra charge.
A distinguished design journalist, art curator/consultant, and interior designer with a passion for exploring the intersection of culture and aesthetics. She holds a BA in...
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