Over 230 million .com domains are registered at this moment. The .com is more than just a top-level domain (TLD) or address extension — it’s a global entity. It transcends language to become a symbol of online success. And because of this, it’s arguably the most trusted, respected, and memorable domain to exist.
From corporate giants to niche networks, we’ve all heard of .com. For something to be plastered on billboards, buses, and TV ads, for three characters to support trillions of dollars in trade every day, it’s hard to see an online world without .com domains.
But with new TLDs being registered in droves, and with .com availability declining, a question comes to mind: is the world's number one still fit for online success?
Evolution of the .com domain name
The first registered .com domain was symbolics.com. The computing and hardware business registered the domain for $100 in 1985. The interesting part? The most expensive domain is now valued at $872 million.
And it’s a .com.
The extension evolved from the Internet's earlier academic roots to become a leader in global communication, commerce, and information exchange. As people saw the Internet’s potential, businesses wanted in.
In the 1980s, restrictions on .com ownership were lifted. The firing pistol was heard by all. Commercial business drove online growth to an awe-inspiring level, and non-commercial entities would flock to the .com as a result.
The definition of .com started to morph. Companies with no real standing in commercial sectors would harness its reputation, forming a broader, self-sustaining meaning of the ever-evolving .com domain.
Decoding the .com abbreviation
Initially, it was created for utility. The .com’s role in the Uniform Resource Locator (URL), the system for web page locations, was simple — to categorize commercial entities in the early days of the web. And like many valued things in today’s society, mobile phones or expensive clothes, while creation was functional, a flourishing symbol of modernity was born.
The dot-com boom of 1995 caused an unprecedented wave of .com registrations, and the legacy of commercial venture online ignited further.
But what does .com mean to users? And what do you feel when you look at a .com address?
Using trust and reliability in your domain
Imagine you’re doing business with someone on the other side of the world. Imagine now that person has no access to video, phones, and their online presence is minimal at best — the word trust comes to mind.
The online landscape is filled with scams, criminals, and misleading information. As a user and address owner, you need to be vigilant. But, jumping to the other end of the scale, online success requires trust and reliability too — would you buy from totallyaboveboardtech.icu?
The .com domain is often used with suspicious-looking addresses, but one thing is certain, .com has nearly unmatchable levels of trust and reliability from decades of popularity. This solidified credibility helps people connect to your brand, increases the likelihood of them buying from you, and makes it easier for them to remember you too.
So, when you look at and think about what a .com is, your history of online use sparks memories of familiarity, triggers a sense of trust, and is far more likely to move you towards it than away from it.
Want the world to think that when they look at yours?
Choosing .com for business benefits
Growing a business is challenging. There are so many questions when it comes to the right moves for success. When it comes to your domain, the wrong one can do serious damage. But the right one can change everything.
It’s clear now that the .com extension is a commercial legend. It’s cemented itself as a staple choice for business and beyond. But does that mean it’s right for you?
Let’s assess the landscape.
The .com extension accounts for 47.8% of the entire market, leaving non .com domains at 52.2%. Year on year, alternative TLD registrations have risen. Creativity and alternative branding efforts are becoming a necessity for many. The .com domain is so popular that the market is saturated. And there aren’t as many left.
If your company name with a .com extension is unregistered, then you shouldn’t waste a second — you could weld a long-standing history of success to your brand… before you’ve even finished your site.
And if, for whatever reason, you want to sell your business, then .com domains are some of the most highly valued on the market.
“Out with the old in with the new!” isn’t a ghostly term when it comes to domains. New extensions with huge creative potential are hitting the market every month. Problem is, the popularity of those TLDs can fluctuate heavily. Extensions like .zip, .mov, and .nexus give site owners a new chance at a unique feel. But their use can fade out.
When it comes to .com, think of NFTs vs. Leonardo da Vinci — you don't need a stroke of genius to know one will always hold value. And if you want your business to be valuable, then logic is on your side.
Domain impact on Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) — optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results, driving more organic (non-paid) traffic to your site.
Myths are common online. And they’re easy to believe. But when it comes to SEO, the idea that domains have direct impact is up for debate.
The grapevine has it that including popular keywords in your domain will boost its rankings by default. But it just isn’t true. The SEO benefits of certain domains are real, but they’re not as direct as hearsay puts it.
If a short and snappy memorable address with popular search terms is under your management, expect organic traffic to rise. Sure, having popular and relevant search terms in your web address will help with search relevance, but coupling .com with those search terms will help with memorability too.
Let’s say you have two companies in the same industry wanting the same dictionary words in their address. Hollywoodsoundsystem, for example. But, because no two businesses can have the same domain name, one chooses a .com, and another chooses a .in.
— localsoundsystem.in
— localsoundsystem.com
Which one are you more likely to remember?
A higher level of memorability means a higher chance of organic growth is yours, naturally boosting the site’s SEO ranking on Google’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Having a .com with the trust that comes with it also helps with click-through rate (CTR).
The .com will help with SEO.
Cost factors of .com domains
You’re aware by now that the most popular keywords, search terms, and dictionary words with .com domains have been registered. And they sell for a lot. But that doesn’t mean attractive .com addresses aren’t still available.
The .com extension is the market’s most common, and because of this reduced availability, the prices of .coms are low.
Right now, Spaceship offers .coms for as little as $7.88 for first-year registrations. Renewals and transfers are generally affordable too, giving you low-cost continuance plans and easy transfer potential.
Reliability, memorability, legacy, respect — you get all the benefits of a .com domain with minimum impact on expenditure.
They call this a win-win.
Fun facts about .com
By now, it should be clear that domains are more than just a string of text. They’ve changed the world. And like most things with global impact, their multi-dimensional properties are filled with intrigue. And sometimes even scandal.
Did you know:
- The most infamous domain in history is sex.com. It was originally registered in 1994 by entrepreneur Gary Kremen but was stolen in 1995. It resulted in a long legal battle, and the domain was eventually reclaimed by Kremen in 2001.
- The first use of a domain for a political campaign was in 1996 when presidential candidate Bob Dole used dole96.com.
- The longest .com domain name in history was llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.com. It was registered in 1999 and is named after a village in Wales known for its incredibly long name.
- Apple was the 64th domain registered in 1985 with a .com domain, meaning it can boast being one of the first domains put into service.
So, is a .com still worth it?
The world’s number one. A staple for online growth. And a legacy that lasts. Yes, the benefits are worth it.
With reliability and recognition heading its use, the .com will always be accepted as an extension people, Google, and businesses like to see — we even have one ourselves.
But competition is fierce, and popular .coms with searchable terms are running out. With addresses being taken every day, it’s important to act fast.
How to get your own
The power of online growth should always be as simple as possible. Spaceship makes .com domain registration easy. Just head over to the .com domain page and search for your desired .com.
If the domain you want has been grabbed already, don’t worry, you may be able to make an offer. Just hit the ‘Make Offer’ option.
Registering a .com domain and managing one are two different things though. Security, management, and hosting tools — you want the easiest way to connect all your needs to one domain. Check out all that Spaceship offers to support your domain journey.
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