Domain names - always dot com?
 

Hi All
I'm about to buy some new domains. Should I always go for just domain.com? Would there be a major disadvantage in, for instance, a domain.net name?
Thanks
japamor |waves|

don't think it really matters... if i can't get the .com that i want then i get the .net

When I buy domains I always by the .net also if its aval and most of the time if the .com is then so is the .net. they are cheap enough. I just foward my .net to the .com ie
www.jollycams.net will foward you to www.jollycams.com

WHat i usualy do is, when im after a domain, if i see the .COM is taken, i just register the .NET one ;)

Same price everywhere!

I make sure to use .coms for any site I'll be taking seriously like a TGP or Link List, but for freesite domains I'll go to .net. I'll also usually buy the .net if I'm getting the .com

IMHO I dont think it matters, I own a .net and it works the same as .com, but I think I would stay away from .info as they seem to be associated with spammers as they are cheap at only $1.95 year.

.coms are more valuable than .nets as .com is what people associate to be the end of a website address and so will remember it easier.

generally choose a .com over a .net - sometimes a good idea to buy both if available (like madmax said).

Again if you have really big plans for a site then .com is probably better. But it is not the most important thing when making a site. If you design your site well and run it well then that will be what makes it a success. But a .com catchy domain name is always a good bonus |cool|

Just my 2 cents

Thanks one and all. Thats very helpful.

I agree with what everyone has said.. try'n get .com's if you can find something relevant and catchy enough, but .net's are acceptable.. might lose some type in traffic. For search engine related projects just about anything will do though.

doesn't really matter if .com .net of whatever

i agree with Rocco either .COM or .NET
i think what's important is the content of the site

It certainly DOES matter if you want to start a "real" site with the domain (e.g. a TGP, a portal...), because .com is just the most known extension so if your visitors just remember your name (e.g. biggreatasses) and they want to revisit you, they'll probably go to biggreatasses.com and (maybe) after that to biggreatasses.net .

A .com extension also looks better in SERPs or so.

So if you want to start a serious site with a domain name, always choose a .COM!

(This post doesn't count for domain names just used for submitting galleries and free sites, though)

I have to agree with monsieur here. 99% of the world who use the internet just think in their heads .com.
If i met you in RL and we were talking about sites and i told you my site was jollycams
you would instantly think .com. but if it was .net then what? i hope the person has enough sence to try to .net? you cant rely on that. my opinon is buy both. they are so cheap. if you can get them then you can just say your site name and you are good to go but if all you have is a .net or anything other then .com you better get in the habit of saying .net when you tell people your site. but thats just me.

|thumb - couldn't have said it any better!

I have to add: I don't collect domains like some, and also don't own a single dot-NET.
If I register something it has to be dot-COM (or currently I'm considering a dot-INFO/COM combination)