Difference Between .COM and .NG Domains

There have been several controversies on the importance of running a website with either a .com and .ng domain extensions. Although both domain extensions are used to establish an online presence, they have different pros and cons.

This publication will explain the differences between .com and .ng domain extensions, and highlight key points to consider before choosing either of the domain extensions for a Nigerian website.

What Is .COM Domain?

The .COM domain extension represents a top-level domain. It is recognized as the world standard for websites for both private and commercial purposes. The .COM domain is also accessible to the general public for registration on domain websites. However, finding available domain names with a .COM extension is usually difficult.
This is because .COM domains are highly sought-after on domain service provider platforms. The domain is suitable for all types of blogs, and website niches in the world. Renewal of the domain is usually on a monthly or yearly basis depending on the domain registrar.

What Is .NG Domain

The .NG domain is a top level domain extension associated with the country “Nigeria”. It is made accessible to every commercial and private individual or business in Nigeria. The Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA) manages the registration process with the domain name.
The .NG domain is ideal for all types of websites whose target audience resides within the walls of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Top Reasons Why .NG Is Better Than .COM domain

Historically, websites with.COM domains are viewed as the standard domain extension for websites looking to register their presence online. One of the major reasons that cause Nigerians to opt for.NG domain is the lack of availability of choice domain words on the.com domain extension.

It also aids free promotion of the website to Nigerian internet users on search engine platforms. For example, the Google search engine cross-references an internet user’s country before displaying their desired search results. A website with a . NG domain will most likely pop up when a Nigerian inputs relevant keywords on the web.

The reason is because search engine like Google understands that the .NG domain is tied to Nigerians and will help boost the visibility of these websites. In terms of the cost of purchase, and renewal, .NG domains are more affordable for Nigerians looking to register their presence online.

Choosing Between .COM And .NG Domain

There are lots of similarities between.COM and .NG domain. They are both top level domains and are used to represent standard websites in Nigeria. The process of registration is also similar to each other and bloggers and website owners consider several factors when choosing a domain name with extension.

No doubt that the .COM domain is widely accepted in various parts of the country, but the .NG domain represents the country Nigeria.

Website owners who desire to reach a target audience in Nigeria can also benefit from the third-level domain options. Examples of these are the .net.ng, and .com.ng amongst others.

In summary, a .com domain extension is ideal for business that intends to reach a global audience while website owners with a a Nigerian target audience can use .NG domain to find their customers and website traffic.

What Are The Major Differences Between .COM and .NG Domains

1). Availability Of Domain Names:

One of the major differences between .COM and .NG domain is their level of availability on domain registrar platforms. There’s a high volume of .COM domain names that are registered under the .COM extension and the chances of finding your choice domain name available are relatively slim.
Aside from finding a tailored audience in Nigeria, one of the reasons why people choose .NG domain is to register their preferred domain names.

2). Price System:

Opting for a .NG domain is more beneficial to website owners who want access to top names on domain registrar platforms. Domain registrars restrict domain names with special keywords for the elites. These domain names are categorized as premium and they may appear short and catchy.
The cost of purchasing these premium domains with .COM extension may cost thousands of dollars whereby a Nigerian website owner can purchase the exact domain name for a lower price.

3). Search Engine Optimization:

Millions of domain names have already been registered with the .COM domain extension and it’s safe to wonder why the domain name has gained its ground globally. The domain extension does not limit a country’s audience to a specific country unlike .NG that only prioritizes displaying search results to a Nigerian audience.

Websites with.NG domain have a lower chance of getting displayed in international countries because of its uniqueness to Nigerians. There is a high chance it will be overshadowed by competitors websites using the country domain extension or the.COM domain.

4). Uptime:

Websites with .NG domain loads faster when compared with websites with .COM domain extension. This is because .NG domain registrars have a significant local presence in the country and continually work on improving website speeds for people who choose .NG domain to reach the Nigerian target audience.
This constitutes a major difference for people who choose .COM domain whose domain registrars are based abroad. Internet users will criticize speed when choosing a website giving website owners with a target audience an edge over their competitors

5). Recognition:

Internet users recognized .COM is the standard domain for every website and may disregard other domain extensions. Meanwhile .NG domain performs the same function and performs better in Nigeria.
Research has shown that .COM is the top priority for internet users because of the global adoption when compared with .NG domain that’s tied to a country.

6). Domain Options:

Websites with .com domain extensions are static. However, websites with .ng have a third level domain with options such as .NG.COM, .NET.NG, etc. Website owners with specific word choices can choose from the third level domain options.
However, websites with .COM can be impersonated with other domain options. Thousands of people have been scammed because of a similar domain name online.

7). Trust:

Globally, websites with .COM domains are trusted but a .NG domain gives a perception that your business or website is registered in Nigeria. It boosts your website’s credibility status in terms of news updates, sales, etc.

Conclusion

Both .COM and .NG have many benefits they offer to website owners. In terms of visibility, .COM domains are intended to reach internet users on the global level while .NG domains are usually matched with Nigerian users on search engine platforms. Domains with .NG has a third level domain extension giving website users access to utilize short and memorable words in their domain names.
Finally, the differences between .COM and .NG domain extension outweigh their similarities.

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