Back to TopThere are different types of domain extensions and some people use different extensions for different reasons.
A top-level domain is a domain at the DNA root zone of the domain name system of the internet. The top-level domains are managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). They oversee all the approval process for the new proposed TLD for the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) that are applicable
.com (Commercial) – This TLD is for commercial organisation use, but it changed over time and became the most popular TLD for any website or business.
.net (Network) – This is mainly for networking companies as the name implies so it is common amongst internet service providers and network technology companies. There was no restriction and soon became available for any business or organisation interested in getting a .net
.org (Organisation) – Common among non-profit organisations, it has now become a domain for not just non-profit organisations but also schools and businesses.
.info (information) – This is for informational sites, it is unrestricted and available to all internet users.
.edu (Education) – This TLD is strictly for schools and educational institutions in the USA. Schools outside the US use .edu together with their country-level domain to differentiate one from the other. E.g www.oauife.edu.ng
.gov (Government) – This is restricted to government agencies across the world. The American system uses .gov but other countries use .gov together with their country-level domain. Example is www.ekitistate.gov.ng
A subcategory of the Top Level Domain is the generic TLD which is for general purposes.
Other Generic top-level domains that are for specific use are:
.mobi (mobile) – This is strictly for creating a mobile version of a website. It is for mobile users.
.name (name) – A way to personalise your website online, so the domain extension is strictly for names.
.pro (professions) – A variant for professionals in the medical or legal sectors online.
.travel (travel) – Mostly used by travel industries and airline companies
.coop (cooperatives) – Cooperative companies use this to differentiate their businesses from all other financial businesses online.
.biz (business) – This is for all businesses and is unrestricted to all users.
.aero (air-transport) – Another domain extension for airline companies and aeroplane manufacturing companies
This is for different countries and some consider it to be used for vanity purposes while others think it is a way to differentiate a business location. These ccTLDs are over 250 across the world all of which is linked to the IANA.
Examples are:
.us – short form for USA
.ng – Hello Nigerians
.au – added to domains in Australia
.ca – for small businesses in Canada
.de – for people living in Germany
.uk – united kingdom residents
.ly – Libya, but people use it to register URL shorteners like bit.ly or ow.ly
.tv -considered to be from Tuvalu but now commonly used in the television industry
.fm – Many use it for radio but it originated from the Federal States of Micronesia
.me – Montenegro country but now used for individuals and readily available worldwide
.cc – it is actually from Cocos islands but now common for commercial companies or creative commons etc
.co – Columbia, but I don’t think they care that people now use it for ted from blog.whogohost.com/traxted from corporations and commerce.
.xyz – A new generation domain extension formed from generations x, y and z. Some think it is the new .com, others think it is the commonest in Asia. We just like it and think it is a cool domain extension.
extracted from https://blog.whogohost.com/domain-name-extensions
A domain is your website's address on the web. Instead of relying on a string of numbers (an IP address) that's hard to remember, a domain gives people a simple way to find your site. Think of it like giving your home a street address so friends can visit you easily.
Every domain name has three parts, separated by dots:
1. Subdomain: This comes first, often as “www,” but you can customize it for things like “blog.yoursite.com.”
2. Second-level domain (SLD): This is your site's name, like “wix” in “wix.com.”
3. Top-level domain (TLD): This is the extension, such as “.com,” “.org” or “.net.”
For instance, in the address “https://www.wix.com,” “www” is the subdomain, “wix” is the SLD and “.com” is the TLD.
Domains also play a crucial role in URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), which are full web addresses like “https://www.wix.com/blog.” Here, the domain directs you to the site, and extras like “/blog” take you to specific pages.
Why does this matter? A clear and easy-to-remember domain makes it simple for people to find your site, while also helping to build trust and credibility. It’s the starting point for getting your website noticed and visited by the world.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, also known as ICANN introduced domain name extensions in 1998, marking the creation of the first six top-level domain extensions: .org, .gov, .mil, .edu, .net and .com. These extensions were designed to categorize domain names into groups. While you may recognize the main TLDS mentioned above, there are actually over a thousand TLDs, offering a wide range of choices for your online store, small business website or online resume.
Look at the different domains and what they are used for:
Generic TLD (gTLD)
Country-code TLD (ccTLD)
Generic-restricted TLD (grTLD)
Test TLD (tTLD)
Infrastructure TLD (ARPA)
Sponsored TLD (sTLD)
New TLD (nTLD)
Generic top-level domains consist of three or more characters and can be registered by anyone. These TLDs are the most regular and are what users anticipate encountering while browsing the web. The .com domain is notably the most popular, with 44% of global websites using it as of August 2024.
The following are some additional gTLDs:
.info - for information platforms
.agency - for agencies
.site - for a wide range of websites
.email - for websites related to email services
.live - for websites with live streaming content
.top - for a unique and memorable name
.me - for a personal touch
.studio - for any type of studio, design or photography
.co - for companies or business-focused domains
.design - for designers and creative industries
.fitness - for sports and wellness businesses
.work - for employment and job listings
.website - for small businesses
.technology - for tech-related content
.shop - for eCommerce and online retailers
.solutions - for problem solving service websites
.directory - for businesses that categorize content
.fun - for websites related to entertainment and leisure
.tokyo - for businesses associated specifically with the city of Tokyo, Japan
.london - for businesses associated specifically with the city of London, UK
Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are two-letter extensions reserved for countries, sovereign states and territories. Each country has its own ccTLD, but you don’t have to use one just because you live in that country. ccTLDs are available to organizations from the corresponding country or territory, as well as to corporations with a presence in the region. Websites can use ccTLDs to show viewers the country they’re based in and serve. ccTLDs also help Google geotarget your site for more accurate search results.
Here is a list of common ccTLDs:
.at (Austria)
.be (Belgium)
.br (Brazil)
.ca (Canada)
.ch (Switzerland)
.co (Columbia)
.de (Germany)
.fr (France)
.in (India)
.me (Montenegro)
.mx (Mexico)
.nl (Netherlands)
.tv (Tuvalu)
.co.uk (United Kingdom)
As of March 2025, the .de domain reached 17.6 million registrations, reflecting its widespread use and popularity.
Internationalized country code top-level domains are essentially the same as ccTLDs, but with non-Latin characters. They allow for domain names in other writing systems, such as Arabic, Cyrillic or Chinese, making it easier for local populations to identify and use websites assigned to their region or language.
These customized domains make it easier for communities around the world to feel at home online, bridging language gaps and creating a more inclusive internet experience. They improve brand recognition in local markets. However, it’s crucial to ensure compatibility with browsers and email systems to avoid technical issues.
Generic-restricted top-level domains are similar to generic TLDs, but with stricter requirements. These limitations may involve presenting evidence of trademark ownership or membership in a certain sector.
These domain extensions are grTLDs:
.biz
.name
.pro
Test top-level domains, also known as tTLDs, are domain names exclusively for testing and development purposes. These domains, reserved by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), help prevent accidental exposure to the public internet.
These domains can't be registered with the DNS, which allows software developers and testers to freely experiment without worrying about conflicts with existing or future domain names. This creates a safe and flexible environment for testing software updates and developments.
The four main test tTLDs are:
.test
.example
.invalid
.localhost
The ARPA top-level domain might not grab headlines, but it’s a big deal for keeping the internet up and running. Short for "Address and Routing Parameter Area," ARPA is managed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and is strictly reserved for vital internet infrastructure.
Unlike the domains you can register for a website, ARPA works behind the scenes. It’s the backbone for things like reverse DNS lookups—which connect IP addresses to domain names—and protocols like ENUM that link phone numbers to internet resources.
ARPA has been around since the early days of the internet. It started as a temporary fix during the transition from ARPANET to the modern web. Over time, it became a dedicated domain for technical operations, quietly supporting the internet’s stability and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Sponsored top-level domains (sTLDs) are specialized domains requiring eligibility verification. They cater to certain communities or industries, providing targeted online experiences. Sponsoring agencies determine eligibility. Similar to generic top-level domains, sTLDs offer industry-related information, helping users find official and trustworthy content quickly. To obtain an sTLD, apply through an ICANN-accredited registrar and meet defined criteria.
Options of sTLDs include:
.gov
.museum
.edu
.mil (U.S. military)
New top-level domains (TLDs) are the latest innovative domain extensions introduced by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, or the IANA in 2013.
These newer extensions offer website owners a wider array of descriptive and creative alternatives, allowing brands to differentiate themselves in a crowded online environment. Much like traditional domains, new TLDs are subject to eligibility requirements set by ICANN, which range from general use to industry-specific purposes. This expansion of domains reflects the evolving landscape of digital branding.
Examples of new TLDs include:
.blog
.art
.design
.photography
.store
.digital
.media
.ninja
.love
.party
.club
.christmas
.holiday
.guru
.yoga
.training
.rocks
.finance
.expert
.tips
.online
.today
.world
.center
.cloud
.land
.life
.llc
extracted from https://https://www.wix.com/blog/types-of-domains
And to this I will add
.gov.jm - for the government of Jamaica
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