In a world with 1,500+ domain extensions, .com remains king. It commands 37% of all registered domains and accounts for 70%+ of premium domain sales. When you hear "domain," you think .com—and that's exactly why it's worth the premium.
Why .COM Dominates
Default Mindset
Users type .com automatically. If your competitor has the .com, they get your traffic.
Global Recognition
.com is understood worldwide. No cultural or regional limitations.
Credibility
Major companies use .com. Not having it can look unestablished or untrustworthy.
Investment Value
Premium .coms appreciate over time. They're digital real estate that grows in value.
Record-Breaking .COM Sales
Purchased by Block.one for crypto social network
Purchased by Chinese security company Qihoo
Record sale during NFT market boom
One of the most famous domain sales in history
What Makes a .COM Premium?
| Factor | Impact on Value | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Shorter = More valuable | FB.com > Facebook.com |
| Dictionary Word | Real words command premiums | Cars.com, Hotels.com |
| Keyword Value | High-CPC keywords = high value | Insurance.com, Loans.com |
| Brandability | Memorable names = higher prices | Zoom.com, Uber.com |
| Industry Demand | Hot sectors pay more | AI.com, Crypto.com |
Premium Pricing Tiers
| Tier | Price Range | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Premium | $1M+ | Single dictionary words, category killers |
| Super Premium | $100K-$1M | Exact-match keywords, short brandables |
| Premium | $10K-$100K | Quality keywords, 2-word combos |
| Standard | $1K-$10K | Good brandables, niche keywords |
| Registerable | Under $1K | Available or low-demand domains |
Acquiring Premium .COMs
Direct Outreach
- Research current owner via WHOIS
- Send professional inquiry email
- Don't reveal your company or budget upfront
- Be patient—premium owners aren't desperate
Marketplace & Auction
- Sedo: Largest inventory of premium .coms
- GoDaddy Auctions: Volume and variety
- Afternic: Strong premium selection
- Private Sales: Brokers for $100K+ domains
ROI Perspective
A premium .com often costs less than 6 months of marketing with a weak domain. If you're spending $50K/year on ads, a $30K premium domain that improves conversion by 20% pays for itself in under a year.
.COM vs. Alternative Extensions
| Extension | Best For | Value vs .COM |
|---|---|---|
| .com | Everything | 100% (baseline) |
| .io | Tech startups | 10-30% |
| .co | Startups, global | 10-25% |
| .ai | AI companies | 15-40% (trending up) |
| .net | Tech, networks | 10-20% |
| New gTLDs | Specific niches | 1-10% |
FAQ
Is a premium .com worth it for a startup?
If you're raising funding or building a consumer brand, yes. Investors expect it. For B2B or technical products, alternatives like .io may suffice initially—but plan to upgrade later.
Should I use a hyphen or alternative spelling?
Avoid hyphens—they look unprofessional and users forget them. Creative spellings (Lyft, Flickr) work only if intentional and memorable. Otherwise, seek the clean .com.
Are premium .coms still available?
All single-word .coms are taken, but many are for sale. Two-word combinations, brandables, and niche keywords still exist. Use brokers or marketplaces to find what's available.