I'm planning to set up a new website. The name I want to use is not available on .com. Using a different name isnt really an option. So it looks like I'll have to go with an alternative to .com. .net and .org are both available. Which of these would be best to use? Or is there any others I should consider?
If its for a business I would most likely go for a .net if a .com wasn't available, Bearing in mind you may loose traffic to the .com adddress
The site isn't specific to the NZ market so a .co.nz wouldn't really be an option. .net was what I was thinking as well. Its not for a business but if it was a choice between keeping the name or having a .com I'd prefer to keep the name.
The site that has the .com domain is a small site (only had just over 4,000 visits). Would I be likely to loose much traffic to it?
If its for a business I would most likely go for a .net if a .com wasn't available, Bearing in mind you may loose traffic to the .com adddress
The site isn't specific to the NZ market so a .co.nz wouldn't really be an option. .net was what I was thinking as well. Its not for a business but if it was a choice between keeping the name or having a .com I'd prefer to keep the name.
The site that has the .com domain is a small site (only had just over 4,000 visits). Would I be likely to loose much traffic to it?
Is your site going to be competing against the .com site? If so it would be a very bad idea to take the .net of the same name at all. You will loose a considerable amount of traffic to the .com but no one can really say how much.
Apart from that it is very likely if they took you to court you would lose the domain name to the existing .com site.
If you aren't trying to compete against them and they are only a small site maybe you could make them an offer for the domain? I personally consider a .com much better than a .net.
Edit: Just to point out IANAL and that is just my opinion.
It's fairly common now for people who want particular names and still want a .com to add generic suffix on the name, the classic example is hq (short for head quarters), ie: acmewidgetshq.com
I won't be competing with the .com site. Is completely different to my idea and the name doesn't even have any relevance to their site!
I have considered trying to buy the .com domain. But I really don't know much about this. If it was going to cost a lot I think I'd just be better going with a .net for the moment.
A suffix is also a good idea but I dont think it would suitable for me.
Brian24: I won't be competing with the .com site. Is completely different to my idea and the name doesn't even have any relevance to their site!
I have considered trying to buy the .com domain. But I really don't know much about this. If it was going to cost a lot I think I'd just be better going with a .net for the moment.
A suffix is also a good idea but I dont think it would suitable for me.
You can look up the domain owners details on a WHOIS search, simply email them with an offer. Seen as you aren't competing with them you have nothing to lose. Sounds like if you make a decent offer you will have a good chance of getting it if the .com has nothing to do with their business.
Going to put in a bid for the .com! Not getting my hopes up though, I dont think I have the finance for a successful bid. And if I dont get the .com is it generally agreed among people that a .net is the next best option?
I think the point about traffic you will lose is that if people know you by name and go to the .com and cant find what they are looking for they may think you a) dont exist b) too hard to find
However finding a short .com is near to impossible now days, so I think a .net is appropriate. You should also buy the .biz, and .org
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