A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the part of the domain name that is to the right of the dot – the highest level in the internet’s hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS). TLDs first appeared in 1985, with seven: .com, .edu, .gov, .int, .mil, .net, and .org. Since then, others have been added, including two-letter country code TLDs (ccTLDs) for every nation, and the newer, longer generic TLDs like .REPAIR (ICANN, 2012).
The .REPAIR TLD is a domain extension designed primarily for businesses, organizations, or individual professionals that offer repair services. Following the approval from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the .REPAIR TLD was born to help service providers distinguish their online presence more effectively.
As per Donuts Inc., the registry behind this TLD, .REPAIR provides a platform for repair businesses to advertise services online while setting them apart in the crowded digital marketplace. It’s effectively applicable to a wide array of industries – from auto repair, home, electronic, shoe repair, and so forth. Companies such as www.airepair.net and www.carwindowrepair.com are examples of businesses using .REPAIR domains.
The .REPAIR extension can also be used by online communities or forum discussion groups where people get together to share tips, tricks, and other knowledge related to repairs and maintenance of all kinds. For instance, www.diyauto.repair is a website that offers a platform for car enthusiasts to share their experiences and advice on auto repair.
Sources like Name.com and Hover.com encourage the use of .REPAIR TLDs, stating that it gives a clear indication of the web page’s content and can help the website rank for repair-related search requests. Websites taking advantage of this TLD are now not just limited within traditional borders, but they are now able to reach a wider global audience who are in need of their assistance, making their service easier to find online.
It’s worth noting that the use of such niche-specific TLDs like .REPAIR isn’t without controversy. Some SEO experts warn that while these new TLDs may better describe a business offering, they may not contribute a significant SEO advantage over traditional TLDs like .com. For example, in a 2015 post on Google’s Webmaster Central Blog, Google clarified that using a new TLD like .REPAIR over a generic TLD like .com or .org provides neither a search ranking boost nor disadvantage.
Ultimately, .REPAIR and similar new TLDs offer an opportunity for businesses to secure a domain name that accurately reflects their identity and offering, but it’s clear that there’s still debate about their SEO impact.
Sources:
- Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) (2012)
- Donuts Inc.
- Name.com
- Hover.com
- Google’s Webmaster Central Blog (2015)
