Website addresses that are easy to remember will be easier to visit. This is why the domain is one of the important aspects of a website. However, there are other things you should consider besides the address name, namely the Top Level Domain (TLD).
TLD is the end of a domain. Examples include .co.id on mikyhost.com or .com on google.com. Although it looks simple, the 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 about its meaning, uses, and types. Let's watch until the end!
What are TLDs?
As explained above, a TLD is an extension of a domain. You must often see it in the form of .com, .net, or .co.id.
But wait, before continuing, are you familiar with the domain? If not, the domain is the address of a website.
Domain functions more or less the same as contact names on cellphones. You don't need to remember an IP Address – which consists of a series of complicated 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 grow along with the increasingly varied website functions.
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 a branch of ICANN whose job is to connect TLDs with IP addresses.
What Are the Uses of TLDs?
Domain serves as the identity of the website. Well, to strengthen that identity, you need to choose the right TLD.
TLD can show the theme or content of a website. Examples such as .gov which shows that the website is owned by the government (government). Or .edu which shows that the website belongs to an educational institution (education).
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. It's the same as websites with .jp extensions in Japanese.
Oh yes, you can also use a domain name that is already in use. With a note the extension must be different. Examples include astra.com and astra.co.id. Although the name is the same, the contents of the website are different.
However, avoid using an existing domain name even if it has a different extension. 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 most memorable TLD, go for .com instead!
There are many more TLDs out there. And each has a different function.
Types of TLD
Although there are a lot of them, TLDs can be divided into three categories, namely: gTLD, ccTLD, and sTLD.
Actually there is one more TLD type, namely Infrastructure Top Level Domain (.arpa). But because it consists of only one extension, we will only discuss the commonly used ones.
Let's see one by one!
1. Generic Top Level Domain (gTLD)
As the name implies, this type of TLD is very common and can be used by anyone. Here are some examples of popular gTLDs:
- .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 gTLDs that are more flexible in nature. The form can be in the form of a brand or product:
- .android
- .mitsubishi
- .motorcycle
- .basketball
Apart from that, there are also several other popular gTLDs. Examples 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)
ccTLD is a type of TLD that represents a specific country. Here are some of them:
| ccTLD | Country |
| .cn | China |
| .de | Jerman |
| .eu | Uni Eropa |
| .es | Spanyol |
| .fr | Prancis |
| .in | India |
| .id | Indonesia |
| .jp | Jepang |
| .us | Amerika Serikat |
| .uk | Inggris |
As you can see, each ccTLD is only two letters long. This is because the two letters are based on the ISO Code, which is a code that represents a region.
This type is suitable if you are targeting your website in a certain area. For example, if your target audience only comes from Indonesia, then you can use the .id domain.
3. Sponsored Top Level Domain (sTLD)
sTLD is a type of TLD used for websites of private organizations or agencies. Here is an example:
| sTLD | Organisation |
| .aero | Aviation Industry |
| .edu | Educational institutions |
| .gov | Government |
| .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 should be used by websites from the aviation industry. Otherwise, the TLD will not work.
Choose the Best TLD for Your Website!
TLD is one important part of the domain. In this article, you have learned about its meaning, uses, and various types. Whatever TLD you choose, make sure it fits the theme and purpose of your website.
Or maybe you want to buy an attractive domain at an affordable price? Don't worry, Mikyhost.com offers various promos for the cheapest .com domains.
