Are .com domains better for search engine optimization (SEO)?

No. All domain extensions are considered equal in the eyes of Google. There is no automatic preference given to a .com domain.

Where you do need to be careful, however, is to not register an alternate domain if the .com is taken by a large company. This can hurt your search results and also open you up to a potential trademark battle.

Should I buy multiple extensions for the same domain?

Yes. Registering a domain extension reserves it so that no one else can use it. So if you’ve got mydomain.com, you might be wise to also register mydomain.net and mydomain.org (and redirect them back to your correct site) in order to avoid confusion and keep your visitors coming to your site.

What is a premium domain?

Premium domains (also known as aftermarket or pre-registered domains) are short domains, often just one word or even just 3-5 letters.  Most of them have a .com extension but many premium domains end with .org, .net, and .biz. These domains include common words and are generally the most memorable. Because companies value short domains that match their company name or products, these domains are typically the most desirable.  Additionally, certain domains sold by different registries are considered premium and therefore have a higher price point. In some cases, the renewal costs of these higher-priced domains are also quite expensive.  Some high-priced premium domains, though, renew at a regular (lower cost) rate, giving you a better value in the long term.  Make sure to research the overall cost of the domain plus renewal to find the right domain for your budget.

What’s needed to register a domain?

Anyone can register a domain. All you need is a good name, an account with CyberTec, and an acceptable form of payment.

Is it a good idea to own a domain with my own name in it?

Absolutely. Owning ‘yourname.com’ (as well as related domains such as yourname.tech or yourname.me) is a great way to brand yourself and retain control over your name’s online presence. With a personal domain name, you can set up a portfolio, blog, or hobby site that’s associated with your own personal life. You can also set up a custom email address like john@johnsmith.com allowing your visitors an easy and memorable way to reach you. So even if you have no immediate use for yourname.com, it’s wise to register a personal domain to ensure that you (and not some stranger) control your name online.

What if the domain I want says “make offer”?

In some instances, the domain you want may already be registered by someone else. The owner may, however, be willing to sell it to you for a negotiated price. By selecting “make offer” on these domains, you’ll be able to connect with the current domain owner and make an offer. This service is provided by our partners.

Will my data be kept private?

In order to register any domain, you must provide certain personal information that you may not wish to be publically searchable in the Whois database. Signing up for WhoisGuard is a great way to keep your registration data private. WhoisGuard acts as a “shield” for your searchable information, displaying the address, phone number, and email of the domain registrar (CyberTec, e.g.) instead of your own. Keep in mind that WhoisGuard is an optional security add-on that must be renewed separately when you renew your domain.