What is a .com domain, and why does it matter?

Most internet users still recognize .com as the original “commercial” domain extension. Today the real question is whether .com gives your brand an edge—or if an alternative top-level domain (TLD) such as .io, .ai, or .xyz might serve just as well or better.

A quick refresher: a TLD is everything that appears after the dot; everything before it is your second‑level domain (SLD). Together, they create the unique web address that acts as the digital front door to your brand. That address is often the first interaction a potential customer has with your business, so the TLD you pick plays a bigger role than many people realize.

This guide breaks down the essentials—from the origins of .com and its current market share to practical tips for securing the right .com domain (and when a newer TLD could be the smarter call). By the end, you’ll know how to choose a domain that helps you build a strong, lasting online presence.

 

History of .com domain

The .com TLD has a long history—introduced in 1985, it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. (CNN, 2015) But where did its journey on the internet begin?

When domain extensions were first introduced in the 1980s, institutions, universities, and businesses primarily used the internet. During this time, the primary TLDs were .edu (education), .gov (government), .mil (military), .org (organization), and .net (network).

The “.com” in a domain name stands for “commercial.” It was initially designated for commercial enterprises—businesses that aim to sell products and services or share commercial content online. 

Over the years, as the internet expanded and evolved, the .com extension became so ubiquitous that individuals, nonprofits, and almost anyone who wants to create a website can use it. While other domain extensions like .net and .org still exist, .com remains the most used. (Statista, 2024)

In fact, .com is still the runaway leader. According to The Domain Name Industry Brief  (Q4 2024), the five largest generic top‑level domains (gTLDs) by total reported registrations are:

1. .com — 156.3 million
2. .net — 12.7 million
3. .org — 11.0 million
4. .xyz — 3.8 million
5. .info — 3.6 million

To this day, one of the most significant advantages of using .com domain names is the built-in trust factor. The popularity and recognition of .com domains can make a big difference in how users perceive and interact with your website. (Growth Badger, 2022)

 

Most popular .com domains based on sale price

These record‑breaking figures reflect aftermarket premium sales, not standard registration costs. While domains like voice.com have fetched extraordinary sums on the aftermarket, most new .com registrations remain highly affordable. Here are the top four aftermarket .com sales as of 2025 (Namebio, 2025):

1. voice.com – $30,000,000
2. chat.com – $15,500,000
3. nfts.com – $15,000,000
4. rocket.com – $14,000,000

You’ll notice a few commonalities among these. They’re all:

• Simple
• Short
• Memorable
• Common words or acronyms

These are all elements of a valuable domain—elements you can mimic when you buy a domain for your website.

 

Trends in 2025 for .com domains

Maintaining its lead, the .com extension remains the most popular, adding nearly one million new registrations in Q1 2025.

Key stats from Q1 2025: (DNIB, 2025)

• .com: 157.2 million registrations (+0.6% QoQ  and +1.7% YoY)
• ccTLDs: 142.9 million registrations  (+1.5% QoQ  and +2.4% YoY)
• New gTLDs: 37.8 million registrations (+2.6% QoQ  and +13.5% YoY)
• Other gTLDs: 17.9 million registrations (+2% QoQ  and +5% YoY)

While .com continues its steady climb, the new gTLD segment is expanding at a notably faster pace—up 13.5% year over year—underscoring registrants’ growing appetite for industry‑specific domain extensions like .pro, .site, and .app. These extensions offer an interesting alternative to more traditional TLDs (such as .com) because:

• They’re creative – With a descriptive TLD, brands can get creative with their domain names. Many choose a TLD that matches their product or service (e.g., a gym using the .fitness extension). 
• They’re memorable – Descriptive TLDs can create more memorable web addresses or help you stand out in crowded search results. For instance, a floral company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, might use the domain “milwaukee.florist” instead of “milwaukeeflorist.com” to help potential site visitors remember their web address. 
• They can be more affordable – Descriptive TLDs have yet to scratch the surface of .com in terms of demand—so they’re often more competitively priced. 

While .com won’t be going by the wayside anytime soon, alternatives are already shaking up .com’s dominance.

 

Finding a .com domain for your website

How do you get a .com domain for your website? The process is simple:

1. Use a domain name search tool to find a .com domain for your website.
2. Enter your information to register and pay for your domain. 
3. Renew your domain registration each year to maintain ownership.

Below are the main challenges—cost, selection and availability—and how to overcome each.

What is the price range for .com registration and renewal?

When it comes to domain registration in general (for .com domains and any other TLDs), there are two important factors to consider:

• Prices change frequently –  – Whether you’re registering a brand‑new domain or purchasing one on the aftermarket, expect fees to vary over time due to registry rate adjustments, promotional discounts, and shifts in market demand.
• Different registrars  charge different prices – Individual domain registrars (domain selling platforms) use different fee structures and charge different prices, which can change periodically. 

Tips for selecting a .com domain

With so many options available, how do you choose a .com domain name? There are multiple ways to craft the ideal domain name:

• Use elements of your business name – If your name is at the core of your brand, your first and last name might be a good choice for a domain name. The same is true of your business name, especially if it’s unique. 
• Connect your domain name to a product or service – Have a flagship product that’s unique on the market? Offer a service that’s hard to find? Consider using these in your domain name to help site visitors understand your offer as soon as they see your web address. 
• Choose an industry-relevant phrase – Your company motto or a common industry phrase could be good candidates for a domain name. 

Prioritize short, simple and memorable domains—qualities that help users remember and return to your site.

What to do if someone owns the .com domain you want

What if you have the perfect .com domain in mind—it’s snappy, reflects your brand, and is easy to remember—and it’s already taken by someone else? 

You have two options:

• Purchase it from the owner – Using a Whois lookup tool, you can find out who owns a specific domain. Since domains must be registered with an owner name and other data, a Whois tool can help you find out who to contact if you’d like to make an offer on an existing domain. 
• Consider an alternative – If your ideal domain name is out of your budget, consider an alternative domain extension that could work for your brand. 

 

Using other TLDs if your .com is taken

Let’s return to the last point above. If your ideal .com domain is taken, consider using a different TLD to claim your ideal second-level domain—arguably the most important part of your web address. 

You can either:

• Use another generic TLD – Switching to .net or .org could help you find an available domain name with your desired second-level domain. 
• Use a descriptive TLD – If you want to take a more innovative approach (and increase the odds that your domain name is available), consider using a descriptive TLD. 

The perfect descriptive TLD will depend on your brand, product, or service. Here are a few industries and some prospective TLDs to match each one:

• Food and beverages – .cafe, .wine, .food

• Construction and building – .construction, .design, .engineering

• Technology – .ai, .app, .dev

• Fashion and apparel – .boutique, .clothing, .luxury
• Fitness – .bike, .club, .dance, .fitness

With hundreds of TLD options available, you can choose an alternative extension when your ideal .com domain isn’t available.

 

Choosing the right domain, one step at a time

A .com domain remains the gold standard for recognition and trust. When availability, budget, or brand focus calls for flexibility, descriptive TLDs offer smart alternatives. Securing a concise, memorable domain that aligns with your audience is your first step toward a strong online presence.

 

 

Sources:

 

Cornell University. Examples of Domain Names. https://it.cornell.edu/dns/examples-domain-names 

CNN. 30 Years of .com. https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/living/feat-30-years-dot-com/index.html 

Investopedia. Dotcom Bubble Definition. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dotcom-bubble.asp 

Statista. Most popular top-level domains worldwide as of August 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/265677/number-of-internet-top-level-domains-worldwide 

Diggity Marketing. How Many Domain Names Are There? Domains Stats for 2025. https://diggitymarketing.com/web-hosting/how-many-domain-names 

Growth Badger. Domain Extensions: .com vs .org, .net, .io & 4 Other TLDs (Study). https://growthbadger.com/top-level-domains

Namebio. Top 100 Domain Name Sales of All Time. https://namebio.com/top-100-domain-name-sales-all-time 

DNIB. The DNIB Quarterly Report Q1 2025. https://www.dnib.com/articles/the-domain-name-industry-brief-q1-2025