Key takeaways:
- A .world domain is a gTLD open to any website owner who wants a global or international focus.
- The .world domain offers several advantages, including global reach, credibility and professionalism, targeted traffic, better brand recognition, potentially improved search engine rankings.
- Once you find an available .world domain that fits your brand, prevent others from owning it by registering it right away.
A strong online presence is crucial for businesses, especially if you’re aiming to reach a global audience. A vague or generic domain name just might not cut it and miss you some opportunities.
Introducing the .world domain: a unique and effective solution that enhances your online presence and credibility to a global audience.
Learn the importance of choosing .world domain for your global business, and get practical tips on how to select an effective domain name for a strong and impactful online presence.
What is a .WORLD domain?
The .world domain extension is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced in 2014 for entities aiming to reach international audiences. Unlike traditional domain extensions like .com or .org, a .world domain immediately suggests a broad, global focus.
It’s an ideal choice for anyone whose activities, products, or ideas aren’t limited to just one country or region-like groups such as:
- International organizations
- Global online communities
- Worldwide businesses
- Educational and research institutions
- Environmental and humanitarian groups
- Travel and tourism websites
- Tech and innovation companies
- Cultural and artistic projects
- Personal brands with global appeal
- eCommerce platforms
- Event organizers
- Multilingual services or platforms
Benefits of using a .WORLD domain extension
Launched and made available to the public in 2014, the .world domain is a relatively new gTLD.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) sought to expand the domain name system (DNS) to enhance innovation, competition, and consumer choice in the domain name space.
However, the .world domain does more than give you a choice beyond .com, .org, and .net domains. We’ll break down the other factors that your business can benefit from .world domain names.
- Global reach
- Credibility and professionalism
- Targeted traffic
- Availability and flexibility
- Better brand recognition
- Potentially improved search engine rankings
Global reach
The .world domain is ideal for brands seeking to strengthen their global reach and establish an international online presence. It’s already in the name. A .com is generic, but .world immediately tells users what the website is for.
Let’s say there’s an IT company called GlobalTech Solutions that has just started going international. They switch their website from globaltech.com to globaltech.world. Now, when internet users see their website, they immediately know they’re a global entity.
Credibility and professionalism
Choosing a .world domain for your website can doesn’t automatically create credibility, but it can support credibility when paired with strong branding, consistent visuals, and professional site execution.
For example, a business consultancy using horizon.world with a polished website and consistent branding shows reliability and international presence. The domain supports that perception. It works best as part of a broader effort to build authority and trust online.
Targeted traffic
A .world domain also effectively draws an audience that’s interested in international matters. When someone sees a .world domain, they immediately understand that the website will have an international perspective, which is exactly what to check out.
Imagine a travel blogger named Sarah who writes about her trips all over the world. She recently changed her website from sarahstravelblog.com to sarahstravelblog.world.
When people see the .world in her domain, they know right away she’s writing her travels across the entire planet. People who love global travel will visit her blog, read her posts longer, and interact more, making her blog more popular and successful.
Availability and flexibility
Because it’s less saturated than .com, finding your preferred name is easier. Whether you’re launching a business, portfolio, or community site, .world provides more naming freedom.
Better brand recognition
.world domains help your brand stand out and be remembered. They’re unique and clearly show your focus is on a global scale, which automatically sets you apart from local businesses and websites using common domains.
People all over the world immediately recognize that streetfashion.world is a global brand, distinct from other fashion brands.
Potentially improved search engine rankings
Search engines like Google don’t favor specific domain extensions over others when ranking websites. What they prioritize is the relevance and quality of the content, the user experience, and the overall credibility of a website.
However, a specific domain can indirectly influence search engine optimization (SEO) by making a site more appealing to its target audience. For example, a .world domain might attract more clicks from users interested in global content, telling search engines that the site is valuable for those searches.
So, a news outlet called The Daily News may switch from thedailynews.com to thedailynews.world. This change can lead to higher click-through rates (CTR) from users searching for international news. It tells search engines that their site is a relevant source for global news topics. In turn, this boosts their site’s rank on the search results.
Tips to help pick a .WORLD domain name for your business
It’s easy to pick a domain name if you already have a business name. Just match your domain name with your business name, and you’ve got brand recognition from your existing customers. But if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need some tips to ensure you get the perfect one for your business.
- Choose a relevant domain name
- Keep it short and simple
- Be as clear as possible
- Make it pronounceable
- Immediately check its availability
- Register your ideal domain immediately
Choose a relevant domain name
When selecting a domain name, it’s crucial that it accurately reflects your business and what you offer. This helps potential customers understand what your business is about right from the start.
A relevant domain name can:
- Communicate your business focus
- Enhance branding
- Improve online visibility
- Build customer trust
Brainstorm business name ideas and pair them with a .world domain name to see if they sound good. You can use Network Solutions’ free AI Doman Name Generator Tool to give you ideas.
Keep it short and simple
Shorter domain names are easier to recall. If your domain is concise and straightforward, customers are more likely to remember it after seeing it just once.
It also ensures that your message is clear and direct. A simple, uncluttered domain can effectively convey your brand identity without confusion or ambiguity.
Finally, short and simple domains are easier to fit on business cards, advertisements, and marketing materials. They are also more visually appealing and easier to incorporate into logos and branding elements.
Be as clear as possible
Avoid numbers, hyphens, and special characters to maintain clarity and ease of typing. Numbers and hyphens can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, if you use a number (like “4” instead of “for”), people might not know whether to type the numeral or spell it out. Similarly, hyphens can be easily forgotten or misplaced.
Furthermore, special characters and hyphens can make typing a URL more cumbersome, especially on mobile devices where such characters might require switching keyboard layouts.
Make it pronounceable
If people can easily say your domain name, they’re more likely to talk about your website in conversations. This can be a powerful tool for organic marketing and spreading the word about your business. It also prevents misunderstandings when sharing your website verbally.
Immediately check its availability
Checking the general availability ensures that the domain you want isn’t already taken by someone else. Having a unique domain is essential for your brand’s identity and legal standing.
You can check your desired domain in Network Solutions’ domain search tool. If it isn’t available, you need to find alternative domain extensions.
Register your ideal domain immediately
Once you find an available .world domain that fits your brand, registering it right away prevents others from claiming it. If other entities own your preferred domain, you won’t be able to take it unless they sell it or if it expires.
Network Solutions also offers a domain privacy protection service to mask your domain information from public access in the WHOIS database. It also reduces spam and protects you from identity theft. To protect your domain from expiry, we also offer domain expiration protection. This way, you won’t lose your domain in case you forget to renew it next year.
Frequently asked questions
The .world domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that represents global reach. It’s available to anyone who want a name that reflects an international or worldwide identity.
Yes. .world is a fully valid and ICANN-approved domain extension, introduced in 2014 as part of the new gTLD program.
The .world domain extension is owned and operated by Donuts Inc., a U.S.-based registry company that manages hundreds of new domain extensions such as .live, .company, and .digital. You can own individual .world domain names through accredited registrars like Network Solutions.
Yes. If your brand or message has a global audience or inclusive focus. While it’s less common than .com, it stands out in marketing and works well for travel brands, international services, and global communities.
This TLD is ideal for global brands, international organizations, travel agencies, NGOs, online communities, and education or tech platforms that connect users worldwide. It’s also popular among personal brands that want to highlight openness or global connection.
Yes, but indirectly. Search engines treat all TLDs equally, so using .world won’t boost rankings by itself. However, it can improve SEO through brand recognition. The more people recognize what your website does, the more they click your website. More clicks boost SEO.
A .world domain typically costs between $10 and $40 per year, depending on your registrar. Some platforms offer discounted first-year pricing, but renewal rates may be higher, so check before purchasing.
Take the .WORLD domain advantage
A .world domain offers numerous advantages including enhanced credibility, targeted global traffic, improved search rankings, and better brand recognition.
If you’re a professional or a firm aiming for a global presence, consider a .world domain for your business or personal brand. Register your perfect domain name with Network Solutions and take your business to the world stage. We’ll help boost your website to new global heights.
