What domains should I get for my site

to protect its identity

[zulufox]

Currently I run a small website called widget.com.

We have only registered widget.com

But now I want to protect my name by registering atleast widget.net and widget.org

I cant decide however if I want to register .info .biz and all the other semi useless domains...

should I?

[Shak]

the problem is where does it stop

i have been guilty of spending 1000s on brand protection incllduing european and others, only to let them all expire 2 years down the line

to be honest, do what you gotta do and that it

I would say a safe bet is the .net and .org

however do make sure you are well optimised for your own company name ;)

as thats where not having ur name in a .net etc can be dangerous

Shak

[dauction]

Yes, get them..for less than $100 a year you will have piece of mind AND whenever you do sell ..the fact that you hold all major extensions will be a great added selling point.

Or dont buy them and come back in 6 months a B&M because someone registered the .info and is stealing "your" traffic

You are doing the right thing by thinking ahead ..

[netguy]

zulufox, since you are only dealing with one site domain, it may not hurt to get a few of the related extensions, but as Shak said, for the most part, it is a complete waste of time and money. You will be fine with the .com, .net, and .org.

As far as dauction's comment about someone else registering the .info and stealing "your" traffic gave me a nice grin. For the most part, the default domain is .com, so any added 'mistake' traffic from .info, .biz, OR (the last time I counted) more than 150 country extensions like .ws (Western Samoa) and .cc (Cocos Islands) will certainly arrive on your .com doorstep.

There are credible domain addresses, and then there's all the rest. While there are exceptions, just because it is available and cheap, doesn't mean you are going to see any traffic from them - particularly if e-commerce is involved. (as edit_g stated in a recent post, "when was the last time you gave your credit card number out to a .ws or .cc domain?").

Since there certainly are no shortages for great .com domains, ICANN and the registrars keep pushing for new domain extensions simply to make more money - and unfortunately, most of the IP attornies I've talked to don't want to take any chances, so many recommend that their clients purchase them rather than fight over them later.

I have a few dozen sites with the .com, .net, and .org 'set' of domains - and several hundred of the .com only. Personally, I enjoy the added traffic I receive from the relative handful of the .biz, .info, and country code domains - then send a C&D out to them later if they infringe on any of my trademarks.

Steve

[robotsdobetter]

As some of the others have said on here just get .org, .com and .net. If you have the name that you are using in the domain is your trademark and someone else creates a domain with it you could sue or force them to at least say they are not Affiliated with Your comany name here, but then again maybe not.

[PatrickDeese]

I generally buy the .net and .org along with my .com - but I wouldn't worry about the .biz or other "bottom feeder" tlds unless you stumble upon a new generic term that is unregistered (ie hotels.com) - if it is a brand name - you can protect yourself just with a little on-page SEO for you name.

Leave .biz and .info for your future affiliates ;)

[Leosghost]

'Less you're in pron/spammail/affdirectoreez the silly extensions area is a waste of time and makes you look like you don't know what your doing or that you are in the first group which can be bad for your image ..

'corse I'm an "extension snob" ...

Wouldn't trust a .info any further than I could throw networksol..looks tacky ..like a spiv car salesman ..

[ClueLess2]

Would Zulufox be better off by

(a) loading the same content from the main site (widget.com) into the secondary domains (widget.biz etc.)?

or

(b) loading similar (but not identical) content into the secondary domains and then have links from the secondary domains to the primary domain?

Appreciate your comments

[dauction]

netguy , just wanted to thank you for the laugh. It's clear you misunderstood what I was saying because I know you are clearly not that ignorant to think that anyone is suggesting .Info , .Biz are getting any real type-in traffic.. just like whateverwhatever.com that zufuflox is planning on registering wont get any real type-in traffic..so as far as that goes he can develop in what ever extension he likes.

Very few domains (relative speaking)get any type-in traffic , most traffic is either from a search engine , link or bookmark. It really matters very little what extension is used with the exception of Country Code domains (which are treated as geo domains by the SE's) .WS is the exception as it is not treated an an geo domain but rather a GTLd.. I have .Ws domains that generates tens of thosands of uniques.I use many different extensions to gain keywords that I would be priced out of in the .com equivalent.

zulufox question relates to protecting his name.com .. and for less than $100 ..yes ,it is worth it if he sites gets any traffic at all .. BECAUSE domain squatters WILL sit on any extension that has a popular .com ; if at any time in the future he wishes to then pick them up .. it will cost more ..much much more.

In the mean time they will "park them" at the likes of sedo or fabulas and collect advertising revenue on every click...sure it's mostly change.. change times hundreds and hundres of domains..

and then people B&M because so an so is stealing "their" traffic..and profiting!

So , my advise remains. it's a $100 or less..go ahead and register them.

btw.... .DE ranks only behind .com in total registrations.. and .com now only represents %40 of all registered domains.. 10 years ago .com represented over 90% of all registered domains.

S