[sarcastik]

I know other places around the world are different, but I am in the US and I had this idea for site that I wanted to do and I think I found a url I want to use, but only the .net version is available and I'm not sure if I should buy it and go with that or keep thinking of names until I can come up with a good .com thats still available.

THANKS!

[nado]

I tend not to like .net's ... it's difficult to describe why. But what I'd do is look for another domain in which there is a .com available.

Then if you feel it necessary to block out any cop-cat sites or competition buy the .net and .org as well and simply redirect these to your .com domain.

[GriZzly]

.nets have more value than they used to but a .net should always be a last choice if a .com is available in a similar varient. Marketing is the main problem, if you have come up with a decent domain name for example bebo, google etc that will be easy enough for potential visitors to remember, however a week later when they finally decide to visit your site a considerable percentage will have forgotten the TLD. Now only an idiot couldn't find your site with a simple google search but some visitors will not be that patient and if they dont find you on the first domain they type in if they put .com instead of .net then they might not try again.

[HeatherJ]

I have a .net but I wasn't thinking when I started. ValleyVA.com is a tourism site for my area. I can't tell you how many times I have typed in valleyva.com with out thinking about it. So, if I'm doing it, then how many of my potential clients are doing it as well.

I would go for a .com if you can. It's a tedious process picking out those domain names, but when you find one that you love it's well worth it!

[DaVinci]

they are all correct.

sometimes if you find a killer .net or other TLD available AND if the .com version is not developed (only redirecting or somehting) then you might consider going with that other tld. (extension)

But you are better off getting a bit more creative and design a new name.

You can get some ideas on what kind of qualities you should look for at www.DomainShakespeare.com

[XCobra]

I think .net domains are more suited to personal sites or community sites whereas .com's are good for business/company sites

[JosiahMackenzie]

According to the new ebook by 37signals, Getting Real, you shouldn't worry if your ideal ".com" name is taken. Simply add a prefix or suffix (it,my,etc).

I'm not really sure what to think about this. It seems to work very well for them...

Perhaps if you market primarily online, then the domain isn't as important. But if you need people to remember the URL, it's important to have the ideal .com name.

[adamg]

I would avoid .net.

[dre]

I avoid .net and look for .com. Their was a domain I wanted a few weeks ago kidfriendly.com it was taken and so was kid-friendly.com both were parked and undeveloped. The first guy wanted $30,000 the other wanted $3,000, I found something else.

[NeeJam]

a .net website is one that should be avoided in my personal opinion.

Why? Because, not alot of people go to a .net website and .com are far more popular and well know.

Ryan changed his www.goblu.net to www.pixeltorch.com

[sarcastik]

I gotta be honest and say that I went and bought the .net url so ummm...wish me luck. I wish it could have been avoided but I had to go with my gut on this one.