subject: Domain Extensions (ccTLD) [print this page] Domain Extensions (ccTLD) Domain Extensions (ccTLD)
Domain extension is the suffix situated at the end of the web address; for example, generic domains such as .com, .net, .org and so on. You can use the ccTLD as per your country, which is the country code top level domain, an Internet top-level domain used for a country, a sovereign state or a dependent territory; take for instance, .us is used for United States, .uk is used for United Kingdom, .au is used for Australia and so on. However, as per history, Australia was assigned the country code of oz and later changed to au. This changed the .oz domains as well to .oz.au.
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, also known as IANA, is responsible for assigning each ccTLD with an appropriate trustee, who manages the policies and operations of the domain. The growth of ccTLD domain name in the markets has increased. The start of ccTLDs varies widely and the trend is towards easing the ccTLD name space. The ccTLD registries are mostly non-profit organizations that aim to respond to their local internet communities. Interest and involvement of the government in the management of their national ccTLD has increased, but not to increase control. The ccTLDs also have a variety of policies depending on national, cultural, economic and legal circumstances.
Difference between ccTLDs
Many small countries use their licensed TLDs commercially worldwide. There are vanity ccTLDs, which are TLDs, used for various purposes outside their home countries, because of their name. For instance, .be, which is for Belgium, is sometimes used for the literal term "be" and the Swiss Canton of Bern. Some of the other examples are .mu, which is for Mauritius, is also used within the music industry, and .cc for Cocos (Keeling) Islands is now used for a wide variety of institution sites such as community colleges, especially before they were allowed to use .edu.
Different ccTLDs domain names have different meanings and representations. The extensions with three letters after the dot, also known as the top level domains or TLDs, were used to determine whether the domain name was being used for business, which is .com, charity or non- profit, which is .org or for a technology based company, which is .net. The rise of the World Wide Web as a new business medium made the lines blurred, and so companies and individuals started cross-registering domains to protect their interests by using many domains; for instance, me.net, me.org, me.com. As a result, .com, .net, and .org domain names, which are also the generic Top Level Domains, can now be used for any purpose.
Among the many top level domains, the .net was generally used for internet companies but now it is as commonly used as .com. The .org is used for a lot of nonprofit organizations and community groups as noncommercial sites. The .biz is used by the business sector. For various information sites, .info is used in the extension. The different extensions exist to give you options in case your domain name is not accepted. It may reflect your business or service and give more options in your field. It also helps you with the right search for your target audience.
