I'm currently looking for a domain for the hosting company I'm starting. I've found a few good names, but most of the .com's are taken, and have hosting sites set up there. Say there is a hosting site at examplehosting.com. Is it a bad idea to start a site at examplehosting.net? People who hear about the name 'examplehosting' might just type in the .com address thinking they get to my site. Am I overanalyzing this and it's not a big deal, or should I avoid using a domain that also has a .com equivalent?...Hope that made some sort of sense. :eek:

Yes this is always the problem with .net. I never confuse them though, because I always make it a point to remember its a .net when its a .net. However, many people do.

Thanks. Anyone else have any advice?

Don't necessarily go for a name that has "hosting" in it. Go out on a limb with something catchy or something that someone threw away but sticks in your head.

Actually I'm trying to find a name that doesn't include the word host in it, but may end up with the word host anyway if I can't find anything I like.

Personally, I wouldn't get a .net domain name unless I could also acquire the .com version. It's just too confusing to most people, plus you don't want all your hard work to drive traffic to a competitor's web site! I know that most people know about the different tld's, but it also helps when talking to non-internet savvy types. I can't imagine trying to explain to my older foreign-born that I run a company called "ultrafasthosting.net"

Well,
There are more options out there these days, but a .NET domain is not always bad. Especially if you're selling windows based hosting packages.

I've seen hundreds of posts on this board where people tell others not to buy anything but the .COM domain name. Well, truth is that the extension of your domain doesn't matter at all. 99.9% of everyone who ever sees your site is never going to even remember being there anyway. People who are interested in your product or services will most likely either be smart enough to type in the .NET or bookmark your site. Theoretically, as a web host you fall into the .NET sector anyway.

Just my two cents.

.NET domains are undervalued and their registrations are on the rise.

Hmmm, I believe you will loose customers if you use a .net when the .com is already a hosting company, no doubt about it. But I recommend that you buy a hosting .com domain at for example afternic. A good name is very important if you want to look like a serious player.

Don't use a name already in use by someone else. Get your own name to establish an indentity. Even if it's something like FluffyHosting (generated by the random name generator in my head). However, if the name that you wanted that's already taken in .COM is something generic like WorldsBestHost (or something like that), and if it isn't trademarked, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to buy the .NET and point it to your site. I have a couple of generic names pointing to some of my sites. First, I catch casual surfers this way, and second, the competition doesn't get the name.

Just my two sips of Guinness