Choosing between a .COM and a .GAMES domain name depends on several factors related to your brand, target audience, and the nature of your business. Here are some key considerations to help you make the decision:
.COM Domain
- Universality and Trust:
- .COM is the most recognized and trusted domain extension worldwide.
- It is often perceived as more credible and professional.
- SEO Benefits:
- .COM domains tend to perform well in search engine rankings because they are more commonly used and trusted.
- Brand Recognition:
- If you aim for broad appeal or operate in multiple industries, a .COM domain can be more versatile.
- It is easier for users to remember and is generally the first extension people try when typing a URL.
- Availability:
- Many .COM domains are already taken, which might make it challenging to find a suitable and available name.
.GAMES Domain
- Relevance and Specificity:
- .GAMES clearly indicates that your website is related to gaming. This can help attract your target audience more effectively.
- It is particularly useful for game developers, gaming communities, eSports teams, or gaming news websites.
- Brand Identity:
- Using a .GAMES domain can help establish a strong and niche brand identity.
- It signals to visitors exactly what your site is about, which can enhance your brand’s relevance and attractiveness to the gaming community.
- Availability:
- .GAMES domains are less common than .COM, so you may have a better chance of getting your desired domain name.
- SEO Considerations:
- While .GAMES is newer and less common, search engines like Google consider the relevance of the content more than the domain extension. However, the specific TLD (.GAMES) might help with relevancy in gaming-related searches.
Additional Considerations
- Target Audience: Consider who your primary audience is and which domain extension they might trust more.
- Marketing Strategy: Think about your marketing efforts and how each domain extension fits into your overall strategy.
- Competition: Look at your competitors and see which domain extensions they are using.
- Budget: Some domain extensions, including niche ones like .GAMES, might be more expensive than .COM.
Example Scenarios
- Game Developer: If you’re developing and publishing games, .GAMES might be a better fit as it clearly communicates your focus.
- Gaming Community: For forums or communities dedicated to gaming, .GAMES can help attract like-minded individuals.
- General Business with Gaming Focus: If gaming is just one part of your broader business, a .COM domain could offer more flexibility and appeal to a wider audience.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and goals. If possible, you might even consider securing both domains and redirecting one to the other, ensuring you capture traffic from both types of searches.
About .COM vs .GAMES domains
- How to choose between .COM and .GAMES domain names? .COM vs .GAMES
- Is .GAMES domain extension reliable?
- Can a gaming website use multiple domain extensions, such as both.com and .GAMES, to target different audiences?
- How does the .GAMES domain affect SEO for gaming websites?
- How does the .GAMES domain compare to other domain extensions for gaming websites?