The .io domain extension is a country code top level domain (ccTLD) that is officially assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory (a British Overseas Territory). However, it is primarily treated as a generic top-level domain (gTLD) by Internet users as well as by search engines.
Anyone can register a .io domain and use it for any reason (except for pornographic content which the registry prohibits). This TLD is typically used for technology related websites because in technical terms “I / O” is an abbreviation for input / output.
Many startups opt for a .io domain name for their business because it is much easier to find a suitable name available for registration in that extension as opposed to .com and other popular generic TLDs where most good names have already been taken. .
On the other hand, one of the main disadvantages of the .io extension is its high registration cost compared to other extensions. Some registrars charge up to $ 100 per year for a .io domain registration. But you certainly don’t have to pay such a high fee as there are several great places where you can register a .io domain for a very reasonable price.
Affordable .io domain registrars
Some registrars offer promotional discounted prices for .io domains aimed at attracting new customers. But the common problem here is that the discount would only apply to the first year of registration, after which you’ll pay the regular renewal fees, which can often be quite steep. So while you can save a significant amount of money in the first year of signing up, such special promotions may not be a good deal if you factor in the high cost of renewal.
And you don’t want to choose a registrar based just on price, either. If you value your domain, you need to keep it in a reliable company that provides solid service and fast technical support. With that in mind, here are two of the best registrars where you can buy a cheap .io domain name:
Dynadot: The current cost to register a .io domain is $ 29.99 and the cost to renew is the same. They offer a free Whois privacy service. * Note: Dynadot will ask you to enter your date of birth when setting up the account; if you are going to provide a random number you need to write it down as you will need it later to unlock your account / domains so that you can perform some actions.
NameCheap: The current registration fee for a .io domain is $ 32.98 and the renewal fee is $ 34.98. They also offer free Whois privacy with every domain registration.
Does a .io domain rank as a .com domain?
Google and other search engines use ccTLDs for geographic targeting in organic search results. So, for example, a .ca domain is more likely to rank in search results displayed to Canadian users while being excluded from search results for users in other countries.
However, some ccTLDs are treated as generic TLDs by Google and are therefore excluded from geo-targeting filters. Although .io is a ccTLD, Google treats it as .com or any other generic TLD. Other ccTLDs that benefit from this special treatment by Google include: .co, .cc, .tv, .ws and a few others.
So you don’t really have to worry about where your website ranks in Google and other search engines just because you’ve decided to go with a .io domain. If you find the right name in this extension then go for it! You don’t have to pay a higher price for a .com because either extension you choose will likely have no impact on the success of your website and have no effect on its. ranking in searches.
What are the best alternative TLDs to .io?
If the name you wanted is not available in the .io extension, it is probably also not available in other popular extensions like .com, .net, .co, etc. If you are intending to use it for a tech related website then some of the main alternative extensions to consider are: .tech, .dev, and .app.
There are many (hundreds) other newly released Generic TLDs that you can consider as well. Some of them are niche specific while others are more general and can be suitable for any type of website. Visit any registrar’s website for a full list of new generic TLDs and their respective prices.
What makes a good domain name?
If you still haven’t decided to register a domain name for your website, blog, or whatever, here are some general tips to keep in mind:
- Short and Sweet: The shorter the domain name, the better and more valuable. There’s a reason most large, successful businesses use short names; because no one likes to remember long and complicated names!
- Brandable and Eye-catching: If you could get a catchy and customizable one-word name, that would be perfect. Alternatively, a two word brand name – such as RadioShack – might be easier to come by.
- No hyphens or numbers: Although hyphens and numbers are allowed in a domain name, they make it less professional and less trustworthy. Dashes and numbers make a name more difficult to remember and are obsolete. Using either one in your domain name can make it less valuable and more difficult to sell in the future.
- Plan for future growth: If you’re launching a mobile security website, for example, you might be tempted to choose a domain name that contains the word “mobile”. But what if you later decide to cover other products like desktops and other smart devices? Your website name may now seem irrelevant to potential customers / readers. In some cases, it would be wise to start with a more generic and less specific and restrictive name that allows for future growth and expansion into other market areas / topics.
Should you buy an aging domain name?
Some novice users who are looking to buy a domain name for the first time can be torn between buying an older domain at a higher price or registering a brand new domain. Well, in the past the age of the domain had some SEO value, but that’s not the case today.
Unless the domain comes with a website that already ranks in the search engines, a brand new domain can rank just as well and quickly as a 20-year-old domain. So the age of the domain itself is almost irrelevant.
But even if you buy an old domain for the name itself, not for its age; if it doesn’t have an established website with valuable content and a large user / reader base, you are probably better off registering a new domain and investing the money you would have shelled out for the premium name to develop and promote the new one instead.
With a little effort and brainstorming, you will definitely find a perfect domain name that is available for sale for the registration fee only. It’s the idea and ambition, not the name, that will ultimately determine whether your project will be successful or not, so invest in it.
Jim Grogan story
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