Is there life beyond .com?

[Happysucks]

Many people race to buy up .com domains but if you locate a badass .net, .biz, .tv, .org or .info; should you buy them?

Overall Content brings people back but is content enough to make something like a .info work?

I have a few that I point to my main site. Just not sure if it’s worth the time to build them as stand-alone sites.

[Bec]

Originally posted by Happysucks
Many people race to buy up .com domains but if you locate a badass .net, .biz, .tv, .org or .info; should you buy them?

Overall Content brings people back but is content enough to make something like a .info work?

I have a few that I point to my main site. Just not sure if it’s worth the time to build them as stand-alone sites.

I personally only buy other extensions when protecting the .com version. If someone else but you owns the .com ... buying a "badass" name in another extension hurts YOU ... if they aren't arriving via a link, and just type in the domain, then .com gets your traffic.

[Chilihost]

I think that certain domains can live outside of .com, especially if they are marketed right. For instance, gay.tv would be a great site focusing on gay tv shows. Also, the country specific tld's work best when you are marketing to that specific country, like ebay.com.au is the australian version of ebay, which is marketed solely at aussies.

cheers
Luke

[Dzinerbear]

I think other extensions are largely a pain in the butt. I constantly forget that menatplay is a .net and not a .com, I can never remember which Canadian websites are using .ca or .com.

It was a nice idea to try and organize the Net into .edu, .gov, .net, and whatever else, but with no governing body really policing some of these extensions (Is anyone going to tell me I can register bigdicks.biz?) then what use are these other extensions except to help domain registrars grow their revenue?

And I certainly wouldn't register bigdicks.biz if bigdicks.com were already owned because I think it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Cheers
Dzinerbear

[dirtygeek]

I personally would only use a .com, just because that is what is stuck in people's head.

I might take a .net or org name, but the main part of the site would still be a .com. Then pass them off to a sub-site (for lack of a better term). That way your .com name is still the main area, and branded in their head easier, but you can still make use of the .net, .org. ect.

[AusCoding Allan]

I always register the .com but for site targeted to country specific audiences in the example provided about ebay it makes sense to have the .au as well.

All in all, the bigger your site and the more it makes, the more you should consider registering the alternative domains even if it is only to prevent someone spoofing your website and stealing people's credit card details.

Allan

[Lee]

As a business, we only chose to register .com domains for the simple fact that they are in effect, global.

That being said, if you have a GOOD domain name idea for use within a specific country, it is always worth considering registering that countries TLD of the domain to however, for 'porn' sites, i honestly wouldnt bother unless you have a typo domain of course

Regards,

Lee

[LavenderLounge]

However, maleflixxx uses .tv rather than .com and I don't think it's hurt them.