It is inevitable that every week at some point the question appears on every domain-related message boards. That question is which is better: dot net or dot org?
I find this to be a very good question, as it is widely accepted that dot com is king across most of the world, and certainly in any relevant country. If dot com isn’t the standard in your area, you probably use a ccTLD. Either way, it still leaves domain investors with a question that needs answered. Should I invest my money into dot net or dot org domains?
In the long run, this really comes down to a matter of opinion. You’ll even find some that argue for dot info as the second best TLD you can get. In my opinion, dot org is the 2nd best, but here are some positive and negative things to think about for each:
Dot Net
- Seems to have the highest resale value on the market.
- Gives the feeling to users that you couldn’t find the dot com.
Dot Org
- Can be a first choice extension for many organizations or websites that that are informative by nature.
- Most orgs were registered by endusers that wanted them. Investors have a tough time reselling them due to lack of demand.
Dot Info
- Many feel this is second best for geo domains.
- Four digit TLD
- Not commonly known among the non-power users of the internet.
In my opinion, if you are investing to flip/resell the domains, dot net will probably get you the best results. If you are planning to develop or hold for an end-user, dot org is the best way to go and the way I go more often than not. It just sounds good and is easy to remember. If it wasn’t for the dollar promotion on info domains I probably wouldn’t own more than just a few. It is probably just personal preference, but I really dislike four letter TLDs.
So, as you can see, dot org is my preference. It also helps that domainers have largely ignored dot org, leaving a bunch of very high quality domains available on the registry. Just yesterday I picked up GeoDirectory.org which I hope to develop sometime in the next few months.
Which do you prefer? Dot net or dot org?
I like both extensions. As far as what is more valuable it really depends on the name. I think the dot net has the most commercial value but not for all names. I just picked up Magneto.net 3 days ago and I already have had an offer. I recently sold SmallPlanet.org. I don’t think SmallPlanet.net would be as valuable. I also just picked up Naturally.org. I think the name sounds good in the dot org extension and would also be more valuable than the dot net version.
I loved this article. You certainly shed some light on what I think a lot of people already knew, and even give the opinion very bluntly for those that wondered what actually was the best.
I like your opinion that hit the nail right on the head with dot net being that perceived opinion of web surfers that you’re just the shmuck that couldn’t get the dot com. I find it interesting myself that dot net is higher on resale value vs. dot org and have to agree with you completely that dot org is second best.
I use dot org as my second choice almost always when I cannot get the dot com, and I have seen some interesting data from someone that was doing a bit of research on dot info domain TLDs.
I was not really surprised but somewhat had to chuckle that his findings were that a dot info site, had the “Perceived value” of being scam and spam sites by the typical web surfer that actually pays attention to the address bar. I have to think about that opinion for a bit before I can agree with it, but I do say it has some merit to it.
I’ve asked some of my colleagues what they thought of dot infos and they had the same interesting replies such as “those are all that nigerian scam stuff and affiliate marketers” …which opens my eyes a bit when deciding to buy the cheapy dot infos. Maybe that’s why they’re so cheap? LOL