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Free Course
Beginner

Domain Extensions Explorer

Find your perfect TLD

11 lessons
5-6 hours

About this course

With over 1,500 TLDs available, choosing the right extension matters. This 11-lesson course explores traditional TLDs, new gTLDs, country codes, specialty extensions, and the future of domain extensions to help you make informed decisions.

What you'll learn

  • Understand the TLD landscape in 2026
  • Choose between traditional and new TLDs confidently
  • Choose the right TLD for your business or project
  • Avoid premium pricing surprises

Course Content

1

Understanding Domain Extensions

Start here

Start with the basics: what TLDs are, how they're organized, and why they matter.

TLDs are managed by registries under ICA...Generic TLDs (gTLDs) vs country-code TLD...
10 min
2

New gTLDs vs Traditional Extensions

Should you go with .com or try something new like .app or .io? Compare the options.

.com still dominates in trust and recogn...New gTLDs offer better availability and ...
15 min
3

Country Code TLDs Guide

ccTLDs can signal local presence or offer creative hacks. Learn the landscape.

Some ccTLDs restrict registration to res...Others are open and used globally (.io, ...
14 min
4

Choosing the Best TLD for Your Business

Find the right domain extension for your industry, audience, and budget.

Match your TLD to your industry and audi....com is still king for most businesses
16 min
5

Domain Pricing: What to Expect

Understand registration costs, renewal traps, and how to avoid overpaying.

Always check renewal price before regist...First-year promos can hide expensive ren...
6

Premium Domains Explained

Why do some domains cost $10 and others $10,000 at registration? Understand premium pricing.

Registries set premium tiers for desirab...Premium renewals may or may not match re...
13 min
7

Second-Level Domains Explained

Some TLDs have second-level categories like .co.uk. Understand this structure.

SLDs organize domains by purpose (com, o...Common in ccTLDs like .uk, .au, .jp
9 min
8

What Are Generic TLDs?

Understand gTLDs from the original .com to the 1,200+ new extensions.

gTLDs include both classic (.com, .net) ...ICANN's 2012 expansion created 1,200+ ne...
8 min
9

What Are Country Code TLDs?

Learn how country-code TLDs work and when to use them.

ccTLDs are two-letter country codes (.uk...Some ccTLDs are used globally (.io, .ai,...
8 min
10

The 2012 New gTLD Program

ICANN's historic 2012 expansion added over 1,200 new TLDs. Learn what happened and why it matters.

1,930 applications were submitted in 201...Over 1,200 new TLDs were delegated
12 min
11

The Next gTLD Application Round

ICANN is preparing for a new round of gTLD applications. Learn what to expect and how to prepare.

Expected to open in 2026 based on curren...SubPro recommendations shape new policie...
10 min

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Who it's for

  • First-time domain buyers
  • Startups choosing a brand name
  • International businesses
  • Domain investors exploring new TLDs