Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#1

Post by beck5 » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 7:40 PM UTC

When picking a new domain name what value do you put on having a .com domain? Assuming most of the 'good' .com's have been taken I go straight for something like an .io rather than having some strange .com (or of course paying for a cool .com).

Was this a big decision for you? Do you worry having something other than a .com looks a bit amateurish?

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#2

Post by rararational » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 7:47 PM UTC

I don't find other domains amateurish, but certain domains I'm unlikely to give information to: such as .ru and .ly and maybe in the future .ng but haven't seen evidence for that yet.

I think the main advantage of .com .net .org is the google boost but that might change in the future and if your product is right it shouldn't matter.

Personally I really don't like when the domain name is part of the name it makes it harder for me as typing a period in between a word seems unnatural: bing.com is easier for me than bi.ng.

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#3

Post by sradnidge » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 7:54 PM UTC

I went through something similar recently, and have settled (for the moment at least) on the non-.com. I guess the other question is do you approach the .com owner about a potential sale before or after you have launched? If you are successful, you will pay more for it post launch but at the same time if you are successful without the .com you probably didn't need it in the first place. On the other hand, it's difficult to justify splashing out for a .com when you haven't even shipped. I agree about going with a .something over a strange .com though.

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#4

Post by japaget » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 8:21 PM UTC

Our corporate IT department blocks most foreign domains, such as .ly, .io, .tv, and .ng. A special exception has been made for bit.ly, but this won't help me with your new startup.

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#5

Post by jonny_eh » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 8:26 PM UTC

I think at first it doesn't matter. Facebook was originally thefacebook.com, delicious.com was del.ico.us, dropbox was getdropbox.com.

I know those examples are all .com, but the point is that you can change your domain once your product gains traction and you have a proven product. Then you can spend the big bucks on the domain you really want.

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#6

Post by beck5 » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 8:37 PM UTC

jonny_eh wrote: post #5

I think at first it doesn't matter. Facebook was originally thefacebook.com, delicious.com was del.ico.us, dropbox was getdropbox.com. I know those examples are all .com, but the point is that you can change your domain once your product gains traction and you have a proven product. Then you can spend the big bucks on the domain you really want.

I hope everyone agrees del.ico.us was the worst URL in history

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#7

Post by beck5 » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 8:41 PM UTC

sradnidge wrote: post #3

I went through something similar recently, and have settled (for the moment at least) on the non-.com. I guess the other question is do you approach the .com owner about a potential sale before or after you have launched? If you are successful, you will pay more for it post launch but at the same time if you are successful without the .com you probably didn't need it in the first place. On the other hand, it's diffic…

The change in price is a good point, what initially made me think about this problem is pinboard.in, one of the first .in addresses I came across and it doesn't seem to have done them/him too much damage. I'm sure pinboard.com would cost a lot more now.

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#8

Post by beck5 » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 8:43 PM UTC

rararational wrote: post #2

I don't find other domains amateurish, but certain domains I'm unlikely to give information to: such as .ru and .ly and maybe in the future .ng but haven't seen evidence for that yet. I think the main advantage of .com .net .org is the google boost but that might change in the future and if your product is right it shouldn't matter. Personally I really don't like when the domain name is part of the name it makes it h…

Totally agree with you on having it as part of the name is an awful idea.

I have a geek crush for .io because of I/O

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#9

Post by WillyF » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 9:27 PM UTC

beck5 wrote: post #6

jonny_eh wrote: post #5

I think at first it doesn't matter. Facebook was originally thefacebook.com, delicious.com was del.ico.us, dropbox was getdropbox.com. I know those examples are all .com, but the point is that you can change your domain once your product gains traction and you have a proven product. Then you can spend the big bucks on the domain you really want.

I hope everyone agrees del.ico.us was the worst URL in history

del.icio.us

Re: Ask HN: The importance your domain (.com vs .io)

#10

Post by keiferski » Wed, Feb 23, 2011, 9:38 PM UTC

Always get a dotcom. Anything else is just asking for confusion, especially if you ever plan to market to non-tech customers.

That said, if it's just a webapp or something, I wouldn't worry about it too much.