Best TLDs for Startups

Domain extensions themselves don't directly affect SEO rankings. Google has confirmed that all TLDs are treated equally for search rankings. However, user trust and click-through rates can be influenced by domain choice, which indirectly affects SEO. A .com might get more clicks than an obscure TLD, improving your overall search performance.

Yes, it's smart to secure key alternatives (.com, .co, your country ccTLD) to protect your brand and prevent competitors or squatters from using similar domains. At minimum, own the .com if possible, even if you use .io as your primary. Many successful startups use .io or .co but also own the .com for brand protection.

While .io is technically the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, which has a controversial colonial history, it's become so associated with tech startups that most users don't make this connection. If this concerns you, .dev or .app are solid alternatives. However, many prominent startups still successfully use .io.

You have several options: 1) Add a word (get, try, use, go) like getlinear.com, 2) Use a different TLD like .io or .co, 3) Try to acquire it (check aftermarket prices), 4) Rebrand with a more unique name. The best approach depends on your budget and how critical that specific name is to your brand.

For a new startup, spending $10-100/year on a standard registration is normal. Premium domains can range from $1,000 to $1M+. Many successful startups started with creative .io or .co domains and later acquired premium .coms after funding. Focus on building the product first; a perfect domain can come later.

.com remains the gold standard for B2B credibility. However, .io is now widely accepted in tech/SaaS, and .co is a respectable alternative. For developer-focused B2B, .dev is perfectly professional. The key is consistency and quality of your overall web presence, not just the TLD.