Trying to secure a domain name today can feel like a challenge—especially when your perfect .com is already taken. With millions of domains registered, finding an available .com is harder than ever.
The good news? There are many strong alternatives to .com that offer excellent branding, trustworthiness, and SEO-friendly domain extensions. In fact, Google treats all top-level domains (TLDs) equally, meaning a well-chosen alternative can perform just as well as a .com.
Below are the best domain extensions to consider when .com is not available, whether you’re building a startup, small business, nonprofit, blog, or tech product.
1. .NET — The Most Reliable Alternative to .COM
When exploring domain name alternatives, .net is one of the strongest and most trusted options. With decades of usage behind it, .net remains a well-recognized, credible TLD.
Best uses (.net domain uses):
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Tech companies
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Software brands
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Hosting or networking businesses
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Service-based websites
If you’re wondering, “Is .net a good domain?”—the answer is yes. It’s professional, SEO-friendly, and often considered the top fallback when .com is taken.
2. .CO — A Modern, Startup-Friendly Alternative
One of the most popular best website domain alternatives is .co, which has become a global favorite for startups and entrepreneurs.
Best for:
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Startups
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Personal brands
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Tech products
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Innovative businesses
The .co vs .com comparison shows that .co feels modern, short, memorable—and much easier to secure. Many new companies prefer .co because of its clean branding.
3. .IO — The Go-To Domain for Tech & SaaS
When it comes to best domain names for startups, .io has exploded in popularity. Originally a country code, it has become the dominant choice for:
Ideal for:
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SaaS businesses
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AI products
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Developer tools
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Tech startups
The .io domain benefits include modern appeal, strong associations with technology, and broad availability. If you’re a startup and your .com is taken, .io is often the next best option.
4. .ORG — High-Trust and Perfect for Nonprofits
The .org extension is one of the most respected top-level domain extensions worldwide. It conveys authority, credibility, and purpose.
Best for:
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Nonprofits
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Charities
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Foundations
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Educational resources
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Community projects
Because it’s widely recognized, .org is also considered one of the most SEO-friendly domain extensions, especially for mission-driven organizations.
5. .BIZ — Business-Focused Domain for Entrepreneurs
If you’re specifically building a business website and the .com is taken, .biz is a practical domain name alternative.
Best for:
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Local service businesses
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Small businesses
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Consultants
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Brick-and-mortar companies
While not as popular as .net or .co, it still provides professional branding and broad availability.
6. Industry-Specific Domains — Perfect for Branding
If you want your domain to clearly represent your industry, modern industry-specific domains offer powerful branding advantages and strong SEO alignment.
Examples include:
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.shop — e-commerce
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.store — retail brands
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.agency — marketing, design, consulting
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.design — creators & designers
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.marketing — agencies & marketers
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.tech — technology brands
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.ai — artificial intelligence
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.dev — developers and software
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.media — media companies & influencers
These new domain extensions immediately communicate what your website is about while helping your brand stand out.
7. .ONLINE — One of the Most Flexible Alternatives to .COM
.online is highly versatile and works for almost any type of website. It’s easy to remember and feels modern without narrowing your niche.
Best for:
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Consultants
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Personal brands
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Service providers
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General business use
If your brand name is taken on .com, this is one of the most promising best TLDs for business.
8. .SITE — Clean, Simple, and Widely Available
Another strong choice among best domain extensions is .site, which is sleek, professional, and memorable.
Best for:
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Portfolios
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Agencies
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Small businesses
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E-commerce stores
It works in many industries and offers excellent availability.
9. .APP — Ideal for Apps & Digital Products
Owned by Google, the .app domain is secure by default (requiring HTTPS). It’s perfect for digital-first businesses.
Best for:
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Mobile apps
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Software companies
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SaaS products
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Digital tools
If you’re building a tech product and wondering what to do when .com is taken, .app is an excellent modern solution.
10. Country Code TLDs — Great for Local SEO
If your business serves a specific geographic area, country code domains help with trust and local search rankings.
Examples:
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.us — United States
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.uk — United Kingdom
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.ca — Canada
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.au — Australia
For local organizations wondering how to choose a domain name, this is a strong SEO strategy.
Do Domain Extensions Affect SEO?
A common question is: Do domain extensions affect SEO?
Google has confirmed that all TLDs are treated the same. This means:
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A .co or .io can rank just as well as a .com
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Industry-specific domains don’t hurt SEO
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Country TLDs may help local SEO
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SEO success depends on your content, speed, and backlinks—not the extension
Choosing the right TLD is more about branding and user perception than search rankings.
Final Thoughts: What Is the Best TLD for a Business Website?
When a .com is taken, you still have plenty of excellent domain name alternatives. Depending on your brand, industry, and goals, options like .co, .io, .net, or .online may be the best TLDs for business.
Whether you’re a tech startup, nonprofit, local business, or e-commerce brand, there are many strong alternatives to .com that support branding, SEO, and credibility.
