A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is an extension that isn't tied to a country, such as .com, .org, .net, .info and .biz, or one of the newer word extensions such as .app, .blog, .shop and .xyz. Each one has strengths and trade-offs: how familiar it is to visitors, how easy it is to find a free name, and what it costs to keep each year. This page sums them up side by side.
Our main guide, Overview of Domain Name Extensions, explains every type of extension (generic, country code, .co.in-style endings and Indian-script names), the rules that differ between them and how to choose, with Domain India prices.
.com is still the extension people guess first, but good names are scarce. .org and .net are solid, well-known alternatives; .info and .biz are cheaper to find but less familiar; newer extensions such as .app, .blog and .shop give you descriptive names at a higher yearly price. The extension doesn't decide your Google ranking. For a business serving India, compare every option against .in or .co.in before you choose.
1. Benefits and drawbacks at a glance
Domain India list prices on 19 September 2026, excluding 18% GST, rounded to whole rupees:
| Extension | Benefits | Drawbacks | First year | Renewal per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com | The most familiar extension worldwide; the one people type by habit | Short, memorable names are mostly taken | ₹1,150 | ₹1,150 |
| .org | Open to anyone; widely trusted by non-profits, communities and projects | Can look odd for a shop or a company selling products | ₹1,108 | ₹1,108 |
| .net | A familiar alternative when the .com is taken; suits tech and network services | Visitors may type .com and reach someone else | ₹1,438 | ₹1,769 |
| .info | Easy to find free names; suits information sites | Less familiar, and some people still link it with spam | ₹2,229 | ₹2,701 |
| .biz | Clearly commercial | Far less familiar than .com; renewal costs more | ₹1,969 | ₹2,111 |
| .xyz | Plenty of short names available | Little meaning for most visitors | ₹1,533 | ₹1,710 |
| .app | Describes a product; HTTPS is enforced by browsers | Your site must have an SSL certificate before it loads | ₹1,850 | ₹2,028 |
| .blog | Says exactly what the site is | Higher yearly cost than the classics | ₹2,360 | ₹2,856 |
| .shop | Signals an online store | Among the pricier options to renew | ₹3,775 | ₹4,259 |
Other extensions and their prices are on the domain pricing page.
2. What doesn't change with the extension
- Search ranking. Google treats generic extensions the same. A .com is not "preferred"; content and site quality matter far more.
- Speed and features. A site on .shop loads and works exactly like one on .com.
- Who can register. The extensions in the table are open to anyone. A few others are restricted (for example .gov.in for government bodies).
3. The drawbacks that cost money
Several gTLDs cost more to renew than to register. Over three or five years the renewal price matters most, so compare both columns before you buy.
- Look-alike confusion. If your name is on .net or .biz and someone else holds the .com, some visitors and emails will go to them. Register the variants that matter to you.
- Cybersquatting. A popular name in one extension can be registered by others in another. Registering your main name in the extensions you care about is the cheapest protection.
- Privacy. For .in and its second-level extensions, personal registrant details are not shown in public WHOIS; this is free and automatic, with nothing to switch on. For generic extensions such as .com, WHOIS privacy is a paid option at ₹300 a year plus GST; see privacy protection for your domain.
4. How to choose
- Start with your audience.Customers mainly in India: .in or .co.in. Customers worldwide: .com first.
- Pick an extension people can say aloud.If you have to spell it out on the phone, some visitors will get it wrong.
- Match the purpose.A community or charity suits .org; a store may suit .shop; a product may suit .app.
- Protect the obvious alternatives.Many businesses hold both the .in and the .com and point one at the other.
For help choosing the name itself, read How to choose the right domain name for your business.
5. Registering with Domain India
Domain India is a NIXI-accredited .IN registrar and also registers .com, .org, .net and hundreds of other generic and country-code extensions. Renewals work by invoice, emailed up to 30 days before the due date; nothing is charged to a saved card automatically.
What is a gTLD?
A gTLD, or generic top-level domain, is a domain extension not tied to a country, such as .com, .org, .net, .info, .biz, or newer ones like .app, .blog and .shop.
Is .com better for SEO than other gTLDs?
No. Google treats generic extensions the same way. A .com is easier for people to remember, but it does not rank higher because of the extension.
Should I choose .net if the .com is taken?
It can work, but check who owns the .com first. Visitors often type .com by habit and may reach that site instead of yours.
How much does a .com domain cost at Domain India?
The Domain India list price on 19 September 2026 is ₹1,150 for the first year and ₹1,150 a year to renew, excluding 18% GST.
Are newer extensions like .shop or .app worth it?
They give descriptive names that are easier to find free, but they usually cost more to renew than .com. A .app site also needs an SSL certificate, because browsers load it only over HTTPS.
Ready to choose? Search for a domain to see every extension available for your name, or read the Overview of Domain Name Extensions for the full comparison.
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