Understanding Domain Name Suffixes

Suffixes are the last part of a domain name and can describe the type of business it represents, or a suggestion of where the business is located. When you register a domain name, you must choose a suffix (or extension as they are also called) to go at the end, such as a .com or .co.nz. Some customers purchase their domain name with multiple suffix types, which helps prevent others registering them and directing customers away from the business' website. 

To understand which suffix(es) to choose for your domain name, we've put together a list of the most popular suffixes and what they tell you.

Common Domain Suffixes & What They Can Tell You

When registering a domain, you must also choose a suffix for it. Here are some of the most common suffixes and what they represent:

Country Specific Suffixes

  • .co.nz  &  .nz - New Zealand
  • .au   &   .com.au - Australia
  • .in - India
  • .br - Brazil
  • .it - Italy
  • .fr - France
  • .ca - Canada
  • .mx - Mexico
  • .tw - Taiwan
  • .il - Israel
  • .uk - United Kingdom
  • .cn - China
  • .es - Spain
  • .fj - Fiji
  • .nu - Niue
  • .us - United States of America

Universal Suffixes

  • .com - A commercial site and the best known of suffixes. Often refers to websites within the USA.  
  • .edu - an educational institution
  • .gov (govt) - a government institution
  • .org - an organisation
  • .mil - military 
  • .net - a generic suffix, may represent a network

More explanatory suffixes include .shop .click .work . auction .bargains .boutique .builders .dating .delivery .fashion .kiwi .shoes

A complete list of the domain suffix options that we support can be found here on our website.

Tips on Choosing Domain Extensions

Once you've chosen the first part of your domain name, next comes the extension or suffix. For many, the suffix will simply be a country one, such as .co.nz. For some though, that may be unavailable or they would like something more specific and memorable. If this is you, consider these tips when picking your domain extension:

  • purpose - what will you use your website for? Your chosen extension could give visitors a quick understanding as to what they can expect.
  • price - not all suffixes are the same price, meaning if budget is important, you may prefer to pick the cheapest option.
  • location - if you are only selling or focusing within one specific country, a country generic extension may suit perfectly. 
  • getting noticed - a domain with a less common extension is more likely to be noticed and remembered. It can also play a role in the branding of your business, such as ours - www.website.world 

So, where to next? Head over to our free domain checker, where you can learn if your chosen domain and suffix is available. To learn what your domain extension options are, take a look at our current list of suffixes we can register for you. 

Tags: domain names  

Posted: Wednesday 30 June 2021