Although .com is the unrivaled domain extension choice, getting this Top Level Domain (TLD) for a website is nearly impossible. Fortunately, there are other domain options, some of them better than the others. The .info domain belongs to this list. So…
Is .info a good domain to have? Yes, .info is a good domain to have because .info stands for information; however, it is not restricted to only information-oriented websites. You can use a .info domain for your personal websites, hobby websites, etc. But, if you are planning to use the .info domain for your business, then you should reconsider your decision. This is because .info domain extension does not work that well from a branding perspective as well as many people associate it with spam.
Having said that, let’s take a deeper look at .info domains…
Pros And Cons Of .info Domains
The .info extension is a generic top-level domain or gTLD.
If the .com extension for your preferred domain name is already taken, then the .info extension allows you to keep your desired domain name.
It is often cheaper than other domain extensions. SEO-wise too, .info websites tend to rank just like other websites with .com, .net, or .org extensions.
However, some tech-savvy users are wary of clicking on .info links because it is typically associated with spammers.
Also, this extension may give the impression that the website is an information website. So, .info domains can cause unnecessary confusion for a business or brand. Moreover, it is certainly not as memorable as a .com domain.
Finally, as a TLD with more than three characters, .info is prone to usability issues.
Let’s dive into these factors in greater detail now.
A Quick Look At The History Of .info Domains
The limited availability of .com domain names gave rise to the demand for new global top-level domains.
As a result, many new global TLDs were introduced in the early 2000s. One of those was .info, which was rolled out by Afilias.
Since its introduction in 2003, .info has acquired over 5.2 million registrations worldwide. This makes it a popular domain extension.
Recommended Further Reading: How To Register A Domain Name (and Why You Shouldn’t Get It For Free)
What Is .info Domain Used For?
The name .info is derived from the word “information.” So, many internet users believe that the .info extension indicates an information website. That is why they may even hesitate to click on .info website links that turn up in search engine results.
However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
There are no specific regulations for registering a website with the .info extension. The .info TLD is an unrestricted domain.
This means that it can be used for any purpose, just like .net, org, and .com. You can use .info extension for any type of content, even if it is for a business website or personal website.
One of the main benefits of a .info TLD is that it costs way less than .net and .com domains. It is also easily available. But, despite these factors, it is not very popular with well-known brands.
Let me tell you why.
Why .info Domains Are So Cheap Yet Unpopular
If you have a small budget when setting up your website, then the .info domain is an appealing choice since it is usually cheaper than its .com, .net, or .org counterparts.
One of the main reasons for the lower price is that .info is not as sought out as the other extensions. It is certainly not the first preference. Most users prefer to go with it only if they can’t find the .org, .net, or even .co counterpart.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Is .co A Good Domain? (Yes and No – Here’s Why)
- Are .biz Domains Any Good? Should You Use Them? (SEO Impact?)
- Master List Of Valid Domain Name Characters (+Invalid Ones)
Another factor is that it is a TLD with more than three characters. It was initially difficult to get systems to accept .info email addresses and websites. Although this issue is mostly fixed, some systems will still reject .info addresses. So, it is preferable to choose a two or three-letter TLD as there will be fewer acceptability issues.
The cheap pricing of .info domains increases its appeal for low-budget projects. However, there is a catch – it isn’t necessarily cheap in the long run. After the first year, prices of .info domains are usually adjusted to match other domains.
So, even if you snag a .info domain at an unbelievably low promotional price, be prepared to pay generous renewal fees in the coming years.
Is .info Domain Safe?
Data security is a big concern for many website owners and visitors.
For internet surfers, not all domains are equal. Domain companies often cut corners when it comes to security concerns for certain domains. This can be risky as spammers and cybercriminals can target such lapses. And this can cause irreparable damage to your business and reputation.
So, if you register your website with a .info extension, will you be compromising on the safety of your visitors?
McAfee considers .info to be a risky domain to visit. It has flagged 11.7 percent of .info websites as dangerous or potentially dangerous for visitors. Although no domain extension is 100% secure in this regard, this number is significantly higher than other extensions. For instance, only 5% of .com sites were identified as dangerous.
Having a .info won’t automatically make your website spam. However, there is a tendency for spammers to go for .info extensions due to the lower offer price.
That is why it has a bad reputation and is trusted less. So, even if your website is genuine, potential visitors may not be confident to click on your URL. This can indirectly affect your sales and branding potential.
Is .info Good for SEO?
From an SEO perspective, a .info is just as good as a .com, .net, or .org.
Search engines like Google consider .info to be a global domain extension. So, you need not worry about being filtered out in search engine results because your URL is registered with a .info extension. It will be treated at par with .com or .org counterparts.
Google is only bothered about the quality of content. It will not penalize your website for the extension if you deliver quality information. If your content is SEO-optimized and relevant, you can even outrank your .com counterparts in google search results.
When it comes to organic traffic, the issue is mostly with the general mindset of users. Most users directly click on the title of the page and do not pay attention to the domain name in search results. So, if you depend on search engine rankings to popularize your website, you should be fine.
Less tech-savvy people may also not be bothered about the .info domain extension. So, a .info domain extension shouldn’t affect your business prospects if you employ good SEO strategies for online visibility.
Final Verdict – Should You Go With A .info Domain?
Since .info extensions are traditionally associated with informational websites, it is apt for an informational website that provides cheap and reliable information.
However, if you intend to use it for branding purposes, you should consider the likely risks as well.
The .info extension has earned a bad reputation because it is the number one choice for spammers and low-budget projects. Since it is cheaper than .com, .net, and .org, it has been used extensively for nonsense websites. Internet users who are aware of this problem are hesitant to click on .info links for this reason. So, this can be a concern if branding is your main objective.
To put it straight, .info domains are just as good as any other TLD. From an SEO perspective, they rank fine. Also, there are many .info websites that earn good revenue. However, if the extension is for your business and you can afford to spend a few extra dollars for a .com, .net, or .org, that would be a better choice.
