The Domain Name You Choose for Your Company, Brand, or Product, Matters More than You Think
In today’s digital landscape, selecting an appropriate domain name is crucial for establishing a brand’s online credibility and trustworthiness. A recent study by Atom.com delves into consumer and investor perceptions regarding domain names, offering valuable insights for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence.
Read More: How to Choose the Perfect Domain Name for Your Brand – A Framework You Can Use Today
The Importance of Domain Extensions
With over 1,600 domain extensions available, choosing the right one is vital for brand credibility. The study reveals that consumers rank domain extensions as follows:
- .com: Most credible (and it’s not even close).
- .org
- .net
- .co
- .io
- .ai
- .xyz
This ranking underscores the dominance of .com domains in consumer trust.
Familiarity with Alternative Domain Extensions
Consumer familiarity with domain extensions significantly influences trust:
- Obviously 99% of consumers are familiar with .com domain names
- 81% are familiar with .org
- 51% with .co
- 25% with .xyz
Notably, tech industry professionals show higher familiarity with .io (77%) and .ai (89%) domains. Overall, 76% of respondents agree that familiarity with a domain extension enhances trust in a brand.
Country-Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) and Global Credibility
For brands targeting global audiences, the choice between .com and country-specific domains is crucial:
- 82% of Americans find .com domains more credible than country codes (ccTLDs).
- Conversely, 78% of UK consumers consider .co.uk domains more credible than .com.
This indicates that while .com is generally preferred globally, local markets may favor country-specific extensions.
Impact of Hyphens and Numbers in Domain Names
Incorporating hyphens or numbers in domain names can adversely affect consumer trust:
- 35% of consumers state that hyphens impact their trust in a website.
- 54% express similar concerns regarding numbers in domain names.
These findings suggest that simpler, cleaner domain names are more trustworthy. Read More: The Power of Short Domain Names: Why Less is Often (Always) More
Significance of Exact Match Domains
Exact match domains—where the domain name precisely matches the brand name—are highly valued:
- 77% of consumers consider exact match domains important.
- Only 3% deem them unimportant.
Additionally, 78% of consumers believe that add-on words (e.g., “getbrand.com” instead of “brand.com”) negatively impact trust.
Read More: Why You Should Consider an Exact Match Domain Name
Domain Names and Securing Venture Capital
For startups seeking funding, domain names play a pivotal role:
- 73% of investors say that owning a single English word domain significantly aids in securing funding.
- Short, easy-to-pronounce domains are also highly valued.
- 66% of investors prefer domain names that blend creativity with descriptive elements.
These insights highlight the importance of strategic domain name selection in attracting investment.
Brainstorm a Name Based on Brand or Keywords
Simply type a brand name or keyword, and we will use some cutting edge AI to brainstorm some relevant alternatives.
Check Domain Availability
Simply click through your new domain (or the suggested alternatives) to register it today. Hurry, your competitors are thinking the same thing.
Conclusion
The study underscores the critical role of domain names in building brand credibility and trust. Businesses should prioritize selecting domain names that are familiar, simple, and closely aligned with their brand identity to foster consumer trust and attract potential investors.
You can read the full study on Atom.com.
