- Sharon Hafuta
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain→
Domain name statistics continue to show just how essential the right domain name is for businesses, creators and anyone building a site in 2025.
From explosive growth in new extensions to rising demand for short, branded domains, these data points reveal what’s working, what’s shifting and how to secure a domain that helps your brand stay competitive today and beyond.
Below, you’ll find the most useful, up-to-date domain name statistics, paired with insights to help you make smarter decisions when choosing and managing your domain including how free web hosting, a free website builder and the latest web hosting statistics fit into the bigger picture.
Get started by understanding what is a domain and learn how to register a domain so you can secure the perfect name for your brand.
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TL;DR: domain name statistics
Choosing the right domain name still plays a major role in how people discover, trust and remember your brand online.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the most important domain name trends and statistics shaping branding and website strategy in 2025:
Key highlights:
Over 359 million domain names are registered worldwide.
.com remains the most trusted and recognizable TLD with 160+ million registrations.
Short, branded URLs outperform long or keyword-stuffed names in memorability and direct traffic.
46% of small businesses say a custom domain increases credibility.
Mobile users are 2× more likely to trust sites with a branded domain versus generic subdomain.
The average domain is 11–13 characters long, and domains under 10 characters are significantly more memorable.
Over 90% of successful startups (valued at $100M+) launched with a .com domain.
More than 52% of domains host an active website, the rest are parked, branded placeholders or investment assets.
Demand for AI-related domains grew 400%+ over the last three years.
Stat category | Key number/insight |
Total domains registered | 359M+ |
Number of .com domains | 160M+ |
Average domain length | 11–13 characters |
Preferable length for memorability | Under 10 characters |
Businesses saying domain boosts credibility | 46% |
Users who trust branded domains more | 2× more likely |
Startups using .com | 90%+ |
Domains with active websites | 52.3% |
Growth in AI-related domains | 400%+ |
Top domain name statistics
01. Global domain registration: how big is the Internet's name space?
As of the first quarter of 2025, there are 368.4 million registered domain names worldwide, across all top-level domains (TLDs).
That number reflects a net increase of 6.1 million domain names (≈ 1.7%) compared to Q1 2024, showing that growth continues despite a crowded domain market.
Among that total:
The combined registrations for .com and .net reached 169.8 million by end of Q1 2025.
Country-code domains, known as ccTLD, accounted for 142.9 million registrations.
“New” generic top-level domains (often called ngTLDs) reached 37.8 million registered domains in Q1, posting the fastest growth rate among major categories.
What that means for your brand: Because there are hundreds of millions of already-registered domains, lock in your name, especially if it’s short, memorable or keyword-rich before someone else does.
Pro tip: Use a domain name search tool or a domain name generator as soon as you have an idea in mind. Don’t wait, good names get snapped up fast.
02. The dominance of .com
Despite the explosion of new TLDs, .com is still king. As noted, .com + .net account for 169.8 M domains globally. As of March 2025, .com alone stood at 157.2 million registrations.
That said, the growth rate for .com/.net has slowed, while other segments (ccTLDs and ngTLDs) are growing faster. In Q1 2025, ngTLDs grew by roughly 13.5% year-over-year.
Why this matters:
.com remains the default, people expect it. As a result, using .com boosts perceived credibility, especially for global or long-term brands.
But if your desired .com name is gone, alternatives like newer TLDs or ccTLDs can still work, especially if you pair them with strong branding, clear messaging and marketing.
A rising number of domain owners are choosing ngTLDs (e.g. .tech, .store, .in) or ccTLDs for region-specific branding or creative expression.
A .com won't make or break your brand, but it does boost credibility and recognition, especially for global audiences.
".com is the most popular and widely recognized domain extension, making it the best choice for businesses. However, other extensions like .net, .org and country-specific ones can also be effective, depending on your business." - Einat Shafir, product manager at Wix
Not sure which extension fits your brand? Compare the differences in .com vs .org vs .net and choose the one that supports your long-term goals.
03. TLD choices
The universe of domain extensions is broader than ever. As of early 2025:
There are roughly 1,591 TLDs available globally. That includes generic TLDs (gTLDs), country-code TLDs (ccTLDs), infrastructure domains and special-use/test domains.
The breakdown roughly sits at 1,249 gTLDs + 316 ccTLDs + test/infrastructure domains.
That means, yes, you have huge flexibility today.
Why it matters for you: With so many options, you’re not limited to “brandname.com.” You can choose a domain name + extension combo that reflects your niche, tone or geographic focus.
This opens opportunities to build more creative, brand-aligned identities online.
But more choices also mean more competition, so make sure your domain remains easy to type, spell and remember.
Pro tip: If your business operates in multiple regions, securing both .com and your key country TLD can protect your brand identity. Because there are so many types of domains, using the right search tools and filters matters. The best domain registrar (or aggregator) can help you sift through available extensions efficiently.
04. ccTLDs and regional domains
As of Q3 2025, global registrations for country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs), domains tied to particular countries (like .uk, .de, .cn), stood at 144.8 million.
That’s a steady rise from 142.9 million in Q1 2025.
Why this is interesting: The most popular domains suggests many businesses and individuals still prefer regional domains when their audience is local. A ccTLD signals “this site is for people in my country,” which can build trust and relevance. For multilingual sites or companies operating internationally, ccTLDs can help with geo-targeting and portraying local presence.
05. Domain variety
The domain landscape is no longer just .com, .net, .org and a handful of ccTLDs. As of Q1 2025, “new” generic TLDs (ngTLDs), including creative extensions beyond the traditional ones, had 37.8 million registrations globally.
This represents a year-over-year growth of 13.5% for ngTLDs.
What this growth means: With more ngTLDs available than ever, there’s huge flexibility to pick a name that aligns with your brand, niche or industry (e.g. .shop, .coach, .guru, .xyz domain). For startups or creative projects, ngTLDs offer a way to get meaningful, available domain names without competing for saturated .com inventory.
That said, newer TLDs generally have lower renewal rates compared to legacy ones, so they’re more popular with speculative or short-term projects.
06. Renewal rates, registration and domain lifecycle
The steady increase in total domain registrations doesn’t always mean active websites, domains go through cycles (learn more about: domain lifecycles). The Q1 2025 report shows:
.com/.net renewal rate estimate: 75.3%.
Other legacy gTLDs (excluding .com/.net): renewal estimate ~ 74.3%.
ngTLDs: lower renewal estimate, around 34.2%.
Implications:
Legacy domains remain stable, many owners keep them long-term.
ngTLDs see a lot of churn, a substantial portion might be speculative, short-term or parked domains.
If you register a domain (especially an ngTLD), plan for renewal and long-term maintenance if you want it to truly represent your brand.
A good domain isn’t just about buying it, domain name management matters for brand consistency and SEO health.
Explore more:
07. Market growth
The global domain name base grew from 368.4 million at the end of Q1 2025 to 378.5 million by Q3 2025.
That’s an increase of 10.1 million domains in two quarters, showing robust demand and ongoing expansion.
That uptick includes growth across all major categories: ccTLDs, legacy gTLDs and ngTLDs.
What to take away: More people: businesses, creators, side-projects are claiming online real estate. As supply rises, competition for short, memorable, high-value domain names is intensifying. If you’re thinking of creating a website, act sooner rather than later since availability can shrink quickly.
This growth reinforces that choosing how to buy a domain (and when) remains a strategic decision, especially for long-term brand building.
08. Legacy vs ccTLD vs ngTLD breakdown
Based on Q3 2025 numbers:
Combined .com/.net registrations: 171.9 million.
ccTLD registrations: 144.8 million.
ngTLD registrations: 42.9 million (noting the greatest year-over-year growth among categories).
That puts roughly 45% of domains in legacy gTLDs, 38% in ccTLDs and 11–12% in ngTLDs (with remaining share likely in test/infrastructure domains or very niche categories).
What this mix says:
Legacy domains remain important, they still represent the largest single block.
ccTLDs are very prominent: many regional players still trust and use country-specific domains.
ngTLDs are growing fast, but remain a minority. That means memorable ngTLD names might retain more value long-term, especially if marketed well.
What domain name statistics mean for brand and builders
From the data above, a few clear patterns emerge and they matter whether you’re building a site, looking to launch a business or simply exploring what are custom domains and how they work:
Scarcity of desirable .com names: With a huge and growing number of registrations, many short and memorable .com names are already taken. That means if you wait, chances are your first choice is gone.
Opportunity in ngTLDs and ccTLDs: Because so many free domain alternatives and creative TLDs exist today, niche brands, local companies and new creators can secure names that match their positioning, often at more flexible domain pricing.
Long-term retention matters: Legacy domains (.com/.net and traditional gTLDs) show high renewal rates. These are ideal for anyone planning to build long-term credibility, set up a business email or stay consistent across channels.
Brand-focused names win over keyword-heavy ones: As the domain space fills up, brandable domains win. Short, clear names are easier to remember and easier to protect, especially important if you’re researching how to trademark a domain name.
Domain management is non-trivial: With high churn among ngTLDs, managing your domain correctly matters. Keep renewals on time, monitor domain security and use tools like whois lookup to confirm ownership details or protect your information.
“A good domain name does more than just get you online, it makes your brand memorable and credible. When people see a clean, professional domain, they’re more likely to click and more likely to come back.” - Ofir Gvili, domains PMM at Wix
Remember, purchasing a domain is more than just an upfront cost. Good domain strategy involves careful selection, domain privacy protection, renewal planning and branding.
Learn more:
How domain name statistics should shape your domain strategy
Based on these numbers and trends, here’s how to approach choosing, registering and managing your domain in 2025, especially as you consider how many domains are there and how competitive the name space has become:
Act early: If you find a good domain, register it fast. With rising registrations, hesitation usually means losing the name you want, especially if you’re thinking "I want to buy a domain" or wondering what's the easiest way to get a domain?
Prioritize brandability: Short, memorable names are your best long-term asset. They’re easier to protect, easier to build domain authority and more scalable than keyword-stuffed alternatives.
Explore beyond legal TLDs: Don’t rely solely on .com. If a name fits your niche or audience, ngTLDs and ccTLDs can offer availability, creativity and sometimes stronger alignment with your website infrastructure .
Treat your domain as a long-term asset: Plan for renewals, privacy, DNS upkeep and ongoing management. This matters regardless of whether you use a traditional TLD or a more modern extension.
Choose a reputable registrar: Research how to choose a domain name registrar before purchasing and make sure your provider supports strong domain security, clean DNS tools and clear pricing.
Search smart before you buy: Use domain name search tools and whois lookup utilities to avoid collisions, typos or legal issues. These checks are essential when deciding how to choose a domain name in a crowded market.
Secure variations & protect your brand: If applicable, purchase multiple domains, extensions or variations to prevent impersonation and maintain consistency across markets. Learn how to redirect a domain so everything points back to your primary site.
Use tools to spark ideas: If you're stuck, the best domain name generators can help you brainstorm short, brandable options that aren’t already taken.
Explore more statistics:
Why trust Wix's experts?
When it comes to domains, website building and online growth, Wix’s in-house experts work directly with the data that shapes the web.
Our teams analyze real user behavior across millions of sites, track domain trends in real time and collaborate with industry partners to ensure every insight is accurate, practical and up to date.
Whether you're choosing a domain or planning your full online presence, you’re getting guidance backed by hands-on experience and trusted, industry-standard sources.
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Domain name statistics FAQ
How much does a business email cost?
The price varies by provider, but how much does a business email cost? typically ranges from a few dollars per month to premium tiers with advanced security and storage. Many platforms bundle domain, hosting and email together to keep everything under one plan.
What's the best domain extension for a personal website?
For most people, What's the best domain extension for a personal website? usually comes down to .com because it’s widely recognized and easy to remember. Alternatives like .me or .site can also work well for personal brands if your exact name isn’t available.
What's the easiest way to get a domain?
The simplest option is to register it directly through your site builder. This eliminates third-party management and DNS complexity, making what's the easiest way to get a domain? a matter of clicking once during website setup.
How many domains are there?
Industry reports show that how many domains are there? exceeds 350 million registered domain names globally, spanning .com, new gTLDs and country-code extensions.