Domains & DNS

How to Choose a Domain Name

A plain-English guide to domain extensions (.com, .net, .org and more) and how to pick the right name for your website.

Your domain name is the address people use to reach your website, and its extension — the ending like .com or .net — is part of how it looks and feels. This guide explains the common extensions and how to choose the right name for your site.

What is a domain extension?

A domain extension (also called a top-level domain, or TLD) is the part after the final dot: .com, .net, .org, .io and hundreds more. Extensions are managed by registries and sold through registrars, and each one may have slightly different rules and prices.

The common extensions

ExtensionTypical use
.comThe default choice — suits almost every website
.netTechnology companies, networks and online services
.orgNon-profits, charities and community groups
.coA shorter, modern alternative to .com
.io, .app, .devSoftware products, startups and app developers

.com is the most widely recognised extension and is often what visitors type automatically, so it's a safe default for businesses. If your preferred .com name is taken, .net and .co are the best-known fallbacks.

How to pick a name

  • Keep it short and easy to spell — ideally no numbers or hyphens, which are easy to mistype.
  • Match your brand — your domain should look close to your business name, product or common keywords.
  • Check the other extensions — if the .com is taken, a clear .net or .co beats a jumbled .com.
  • Register close variants of your name when you can, so look-alike sites can't trade on it.

Pricing and renewal

Domain prices vary by extension and are billed yearly at WebFulHost. A domain is included free for the first year when you purchase an annual hosting plan, then renews at its standard rate. You'll receive a reminder before each renewal date. See How to Renew Your Hosting and Domain.

Tip: you can transfer a domain you already own to WebFulHost at any time — see the transfer guide in this category for how it works.

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