.com Vs .net and So On.

[drcoastline]

So how significant is the .com at the end of a domain vs. a .net, .info, .org and so on. I ask because I have found what I believe are several "key word rich domains" based on what I have learned here. The only difference is the .com vs. the .net, .info and so on at the end. All are available but the .com's are $10.00 - $11.00 annually and the others range from $.89 to $6.00 annually.

Hypothetically If two sites were identical in every way but one had .com and the other had one of the other variations would the .com rank higher?

I am having my web company redesign my site as it appears to be an absolute waste of money based on what I have learned here. I am purchasing domains adding a blog adding Google analytics updating the key phrases and so.

Thanks for your input.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Just my amateur input, but if you have a lousy-name .com vs a key-word rich .net...go with the .net.

Heck...Look at this site. One of the leading online insurance forums and it is a .net.

However, some people will still question the legitimacy of a .com website.

WebamateurSEO was used in this post

 

[radiusbob]

Domain extensions have little to nothing (some SEO Expert can confirm or expand) on your search engine placement. Your SEO placement is going to come down to your Optimizaiton, Keywords / Phrase, Code, Content (Fresh and Relevancy), User Interface/Experience and Advertising and Marketing.

Chumps makes a great point, this forum is a .net and shows up on a number of searches.

IMO...The .com extension is obviously more recognizable from a user standpoint (it has been branded overtime), but that is not to say that a .net domain can't garner more recognition, better results and a better brand, just takes all of the elements to get ther.

 

[djs]

Hmmm....

For $10, I'd go with the .com.
Nothing to do with seo, but in general, users have to stop and think about typing in a .net where .com is habit. Heck, look at an iPhone, it has a .com button (sometimes), never a .net button.

.nets function just fine, but its sort of like having an 877 number rather than an 800 number. Makes people stop and go 'huh?' Both do the same thing though.

Dan

 

[radiusbob]

All are available but the .com's are $10.00 - $11.00 annually and the others range from $.89 to $6.00 annually.

Interested in hearing more about the $.89 domain name charge?

 

[drcoastline]

Thanks for the input.

What I am doing (based on information received here) is buying additional domains. I have two .com's now that are roughly 8 and 10 years old (I understand that is good). They are pretty much agency specific and not "key word rich" (I understand that is not so good). So based on information here I am going to buy "key word rich" domains that will direct to my .com. I don't intend that people will type in the exact domain (or am I looking at it wrong)?

RadiusBob- The domains are exactly the same except for the end.
iamthebestinsuranceagent. .com would cost $10.69
iamthebestinsuranceagent. .info would cost $.89
and all the others in between.

There are a bunch of other things being done to the site based on info I have received here but for the purpose of this thread I am concentrating on the dominans. understand everyone I am an *** when it comes to this. So I am trying to learn and ask my web company. I know a little knowledge is dangerous so I am being cautious.

What amazes me is that some of you derive your entire lively hood from the net. I can count on two hands the number of leads I have received through my web site. That is not to say someone has not looked at it then phoned but very little submitted via email. I want to change that.

Thanks again for the input and tell me if I am off base on my thought process.

PS- please excuse any spelling errors I am still getting used to the spell check option.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

'but in general, users have to stop and think about typing in a .net"

Actually...when your prospects are searching, the vast majority of the time they are not typing in a domain name. They are typing in a phrase that takes them to a link.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
dr...That's a nice website...Very colorful. I'm sure one of the SEO gurus are worth hiring.

 

[drcoastline]

Thanks for the complement Chumps. I will be touching base with one of the SEO people on here shortly. Just don't know who yet. But first I want to get some of the crap straightened out. Duplicate pages, add "content" basically get my ducks in a row first.

I understand that users have to stop and think about typing .net that is why I am asking and part of my hang up on anything but a .com.

Now me? I never type www. something .com, net or what have you. I type what I am looking for such as insurance forums and then click whats on the list. I will say that I do hesitate and read before clicking when I see anything but a .com. and I guess that's my questions? Would people hesitate before clicking .info and if the see .com go there instead? Or can the description above the domain over come that?

 

[Newby]

Most people don't type .com or .net at all. They just type in the web name and hit "ctrl + enter"

Just type ebay or amazon in your web browser and hit control + enter.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

"I type what I am looking for such as insurance forums"

That's what I do and I assume most people do the same. I don't think that many people hit "control" and "enter" when searching for information.