Types of domain extensions
Not all domain extensions are the same. Some are open to everyone. Others have specific registration rules. Knowing the difference makes it easier to choose the right home for your website.
Generic extensions (gTLDs)
Generic top-level domains are open to anyone, anywhere. .com is the default for most businesses and the extension people try first. .net was originally intended for network providers but is now used broadly. .org is associated with non-profits and community organisations, though registration is open to all.
Country-code extensions (ccTLDs)
For UK businesses, .co.uk and .uk are the most common ccTLDs. .co.uk carries decades of familiarity, while .uk is shorter and increasingly popular with newer brands.
Other geographic extensions include .de (Germany), .fr (France) and .eu (European Union). Some country codes have found a second life outside their original market. .io (British Indian Ocean Territory) is popular with technology companies and .co (Colombia) is used as a shorter alternative to .com.
Country-code extensions also send a geographic signal to search engines, which can help with local search visibility.
Industry and activity extensions (new gTLDs)
Since 2012, hundreds of new generic extensions have been added to cover specific industries, activities and interests. These include .tech, .shop, .app, .blog, .design, .eco and many more.
They can be useful when a .com is unavailable or when the extension itself says something about the business. A sustainable brand registering a .eco domain, for example, puts its values in the address bar.
The trade-off is recognition. Most visitors are still more familiar with .com and their local country-code extension. A newer extension works best when the name and the extension reinforce each other.
Restricted extensions
Some domain extensions have registration requirements. .gov.uk is limited to UK government bodies. .ac.uk is reserved for academic institutions. .eco is operated by Big Room Inc., a certified B Corp registry. Registrants must create a profile, state their sustainability focus areas and make an environmental pledge.
If an extension in our list has restrictions, they are noted on its individual extension page.
How to choose a domain extension
A UK-facing business will usually want .co.uk or .uk.
A company with international reach will want a .com.
A business doing both should register both.
If your preferred .com or .co.uk is already taken, check the industry and activity extensions. A web design agency could use .design. A technology startup could use .tech or .io. The name and the extension should make sense together without needing an explanation.
Price is a factor too, but not in the way most registrars present it. Elsewhere, you might see a .com listed at £1 for the first year, then £15 or more to renew. At Krystal, the registration and renewal price is the same. That makes comparing extensions straightforward. The price in the list below is the price you will pay for the second year as well as the first.
Consider registering your name across two or three extensions. It protects your brand, stops others from using a similar address and costs very little when the pricing is fixed and fair.
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