A website address that is easy to remember will be easier to visit. This is why the domain is an important aspect of a website. However, there are other things you should consider besides the address name, namely the Top Level Domain (TLD).
TLD is the final part of a domain, such as .co.id at niagahoster.co.id or .com at google.com. Even though it looks simple, TLD also plays an important role in showing the identity of your website.
Want to know more about TLDs? In this article, we will discuss in full its meaning, uses, and types. Come on, watch it until the end!
What are TLDs domains?
 |
| What are TLDs domains? |
As explained above, TLD is an extension of a domain. You will often see examples of top level domains in the form of .com, .net, or .co.id. But wait, before continuing, are you familiar with domains? If not, a domain is the address of a website.
Domains function more or less the same as contact names on cellphones. You don't need to remember the IP address – which consists of a complicated series of numbers – to access a website. Just type in the domain name and you will immediately arrive at the website.
Since 2014, The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has released more than 2000 TLDs, and the number will certainly continue to increase as website functions become increasingly varied.
If you want to see a complete list of TLDs circulating out there, you can visit the Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA) website, which is one of the ICANN branches whose job is to link TLDs with IP addresses.
What is the Use of TLDs?
The domain functions as the website's identity. So, considering the benefits of a domain to strengthen your identity, you need to choose the right TLD.
The advantage of a TLD domain is that it can show the theme or content of a website. For example, .gov shows that the website belongs to the government. Or .edu which indicates that the website belongs to an educational institution.
Another function of the TLD is to show the origin of the website. For example, a website with the .id extension indicates that the website is in Indonesian. Just like websites with the .jp extension in Japanese.
Oh yes, you can also use a domain name that is already in use. Note that the domain extension must be different. Examples include astra.com and astra.co.id. Even though the name is the same, the website content is different.
However, avoid using domain names that already exist, even if the extension is different. Because this will make your domain name less authentic.
Of the many choices, the most popular TLD is .com – more than 40% of domains registered on the internet use it. So, if you want to choose the easiest TLD to remember, just choose .com!
There are many more TLDs out there. And each has a different function.
How many domain TLDs are there?
TLD itself has 4 types of categories, namely Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD), Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), Sponsored Top Level Domain (sTLD) and Infrastructure Top Level Domain. For the last type of domain, there is only 1 example, namely ARPA (Address and Routing Parameter Area).
Even though there are many, TLDs can be divided into three categories, namely: gTLD, ccTLD, and sTLD. Actually, there is one more type of TLD, namely Infrastructure Top Level Domain (.arpa). But because it only consists of one extension, we will only discuss the commonly used ones.
Let's see one by one!
1. Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD)
The most frequently used type of TLD is Generic Top-Level Domain or what is usually shortened to gTLD. Generally, this type of domain is used for business, organizational and individual purposes. As the name suggests, this type of TLD is very common and can be used by anyone. Here are some gTLDs that are quite popular:
- .com – for commercial websites. Although currently it can be used by any website.
- .org – for organizations.
- .net – for networks.
- .biz – for business.
- .info – for information related sites.
There are also types of gTLD that are more flexible. The form can be a brand or product:
- .android
- .mitsubishi
- .motorcycle
- .basketball
Apart from that, there are also several other popular gTLDs, such as .xyz, which are known to be affordable. Then there are .store and .tech which are often used by business websites.
2. Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD)
Each country has its own TLD. TLDs created based on location names are called Country Code Top-Level Domains or can also be abbreviated as ccTLD. For example, if you create a website using a regional domain name in Indonesia, the URL will use .id. For other regions, you can see the list as follows:
| ccTLD | Negara |
| .cn | China |
| .de | Germany |
| .eu | Europe Union |
| .es | Spain |
| .fr | France |
| .in | India |
| .id | Indonesia |
| .jp | Japan |
| .us | United States |
| .uk | England |
As you can see, each ccTLD only consists of two letters. This is because these two letters are based on the ISO Code, which is a code that represents a region.
This country domain code is suitable if you target your website in a certain region. For example, if your target audience only comes from Indonesia, then you can use the .id domain.
3. Sponsored Top Level Domains (sTLD)
Websites created by private organizations must use Sponsored Top-Level Domains or sTLDs. To register this domain, a series of requirements must be provided by the website owner because not all websites can use this domain carelessly.. sTLD is a type of TLD used for websites of private organizations or agencies. Such as:
| sTLD | Organization |
| .aero | Aviation Industry (Aerospace) |
| .edu | Educational institutions |
| .gov | Goverment |
| .jobs | Human Resources Manager |
| .museum | Museum |
| .post | Delivery service |
| .travel | Travel Agent |
Because sTLDs represent a community or organization, you must meet specific requirements to use them. For example, the .aero domain must be used by websites from the aviation industry. If not, then the TLD cannot be used.
How to Choose the Right TLD?
 |
| How to Choose the Right TLD? |
As a website owner, you must be able to choose the right TLD. However, how do you choose a TLD that suits your needs? Below, you can see various ways to choose the right TLD.
1. Identify the website to be created
What is your aim in creating this website? What content will be included on your website? What things can users do on your website?
The first step in selecting a TLD that you need to do is to identify the website you want to create. If you don't know the purpose of creating a website, it will be difficult to know which TLD is right.
2. Don't hesitate to use a specific TLD
Specific TLDs like .travel, .io or .tech may seem like underselling TLDs. In fact, specific TLD extensions can help your searchers or potential customers understand the contents of your website more easily.
Apart from that, in some industries, using a specific TLD can help your digital marketing performance because search engines see your website as a very specific website so that it can help many people who search for your business or industry.
3. Adjust to your budget
Using TLDs costs money. In fact, each TLD has a varying price range. There are TLDs with quite high prices, but there are also TLDs with standard or low price ranges.
You need to look for a TLD according to your current budget. Also keep in mind, the TLD needs to be renewed every year. Therefore, you also need to prepare additional costs for extending the TLD. If it is not renewed, your website will be closed or withdrawn from the internet.
4. Choose a Trusted TLD Provider Service
The final way to choose the right TLD is to look for the services of a trusted TLD provider. There are many naughty individuals who commit fraud by offering TLDs to website owners and then the websites cannot be accessed again because of the use of fake TLDs.
Conclusion
TLD is an important part of a domain. In this article, you have learned its meaning, uses, and various types. Whatever TLD you choose, make sure it suits the theme and purpose of your website.
So, do you understand what TLD is and its functions and types? Make sure you choose the right TLD according to the business you are currently running.
When creating a website, you also need to prepare many other things such as storage space and hosting services.