Domain Extension Guide 2026: Which TLD Should You Choose?

The domain extension you choose sends a signal about your brand before anyone even visits your site. In 2026, there are over 1,500 TLDs to choose from — but only a handful matter for most businesses.

The TLD Landscape in 2026

Here's the current state of domain extensions and what each signals:

.com — The Gold Standard

Still the default. If you can get the .com, get it. Period. Users trust it, browsers autocomplete it, and it carries inherent authority. About 50% of all websites use .com.

.net — The Solid Alternative

Originally for network/internet companies, .net is now a general-purpose alternative when .com is taken. It's recognized and trusted, though less prestigious than .com.

.org — The Mission-Driven Choice

Best for nonprofits, open-source projects, and community organizations. Using .org for a for-profit business can feel misleading.

.co — The Startup Favorite

Popular with startups who can't get the .com. Short, clean, and widely recognized thanks to companies like Twitter (t.co). The risk: users might accidentally type .com instead.

.io — The Developer's Domain

Beloved by tech companies and developer tools. Signals "we're technical." Originally the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, it's become synonymous with tech products.

.ai — The AI Era Domain

Exploded in popularity alongside the AI boom. If your product involves artificial intelligence or machine learning, .ai is extremely relevant. Prices tend to be higher ($50-80/year).

.app — The App Domain

Google's TLD for applications. Requires HTTPS by default (good for security). Clean and modern, perfect for SaaS products and mobile apps.

How to Choose the Right Extension

Ask yourself these questions:

Is the .com available? If yes, buy it. Discussion over.
What industry are you in? Tech → .io or .ai. App → .app. Nonprofit → .org.
Who is your audience? Non-technical users expect .com. Developer audiences are fine with .io.
What's your budget? .com and .net are cheapest ($10-15/year). .ai runs $50-80/year.

Checking Multiple Extensions at Once

Don't check one TLD at a time. Use BrandScout to check your brand name across all 7 major TLDs simultaneously — .com, .net, .org, .co, .io, .ai, and .app. You'll see exactly which extensions are available in seconds.

The Multi-Domain Strategy

Smart brands buy multiple extensions and redirect them all to their primary domain:

mybrand.com (primary)
mybrand.net (redirect)
mybrand.io (redirect)
mybrand.ai (redirect)

This prevents competitors from squatting on your brand variations and catches users who type the wrong extension.

Domain Extensions and SEO

Google has stated that TLD choice doesn't directly impact rankings. However, there are indirect effects:

.com gets higher click-through rates in search results (users trust it more)
Country-code TLDs (.uk, .de, .ca) get geo-targeting signals
New/unusual TLDs (.xyz, .guru, .ninja) can look spammy to users

SEO Best Practices After Choosing Your Domain

Once you've secured your domain, make sure your site is technically optimized. AuditMySite runs 50+ SEO checks for free, covering everything from meta tags to page speed to mobile responsiveness.

Local Business Considerations

For local businesses like those listed on SacValley Contractors, .com is almost always the right choice. Your customers aren't tech-savvy early adopters — they're homeowners looking for a reliable contractor. A .com domain inspires confidence and is easy to remember.

Key Takeaways

.com is still king for most businesses
.io and .ai are great for tech/AI companies
Always check availability across multiple TLDs before committing
Consider buying multiple extensions to protect your brand
TLD choice doesn't directly affect SEO, but it impacts user trust