New domain extensions trending in 2026
November 7, 2025 | Jordi Genescà Prat
For decades, .com was the universal emblem of the Internet. If your business was online, it was logical to have a ".com" domain — almost a synonym for credibility and professionalism.
Over time, local domains like .es, .it or .fr appeared, even regional ones like .eus or .cat, but the internet has changed — and so have brands. The saturation of these domains has turned this convention into a limitation.
As the number of websites grows — and good names run out — companies are looking beyond .com. New domain extensions are emerging that not only identify a brand but directly connect it with its sector, purpose, and audience.
Extensions like .tech, .shop, .ai, .cloud, .store or .group are marking a new era: the era of domains with identity.
An address that tells who you are
Think of the domain as a business card. A few years ago, we all used the same format; now, businesses can choose how to present themselves.
A tech startup might opt for a .tech, an online store for a .shop, a creative agency for a .agency, or a sustainable brand for a .eco.
The domain is no longer just an address — it becomes an extension of the brand message.
This is no small trend: according to recent industry data, over 35% of new registrations in Europe during 2025 will use non-traditional extensions.
More options, more creativity
Registering a good .com domain is increasingly difficult. Almost all short, memorable, hyphen-free names are already taken. Industry-specific extensions offer a second chance for creativity.
You no longer need to add "online", "official" or "store" at the end of a name — now those words are the extension.
Imagine you have a tech brand called Nova. If nova.com is taken, you could register nova.tech or nova.cloud. It's still short and easy to remember, but it also reinforces what you do.
This combination of availability and semantic coherence is driving the growth of new gTLDs (generic Top-Level Domains).
A domain that communicates before a click
The domain is no longer just technical — it's a communication tool.
When someone sees a URL with a .shop, they instantly know it’s an online store. A .ai hints at artificial intelligence. A .design evokes creativity.
This semantic value is crucial for standing out in search results, social media, and digital ad campaigns.
Even in SEO terms, Google treats all extensions equally. But that doesn't mean the domain has no influence: a clearer, more relevant name improves the click-through rate (CTR).
If a user searches for "cloud services for companies", they’re more likely to click empresa.cloud than empresa-solucionesdigitales.com. Not because of the extension — but because of the clarity of the message.
What if my company is traditional?
And you might ask a very valid question: "all these domains sound great for tech startups or designers, but I’m a traditional business — would a different domain really help me?"
The answer is yes — as long as it makes sense for your strategy. A consultancy, a brokerage, or a professional firm can also benefit from extensions like .consulting, .legal, or even .es to convey proximity, expertise, and trust.
It’s not about reinventing yourself or pretending to be something else — it’s about adapting your digital presence to today’s language, where users seek clarity and instant connection.
In many cases, a more specific domain can enhance your brand’s authority, even in so-called "classic" sectors.
The new digital geography
Sector-based extensions also reflect how the Internet has decentralised.
Instead of relying on a single global domain, many brands now combine extensions to adapt to specific markets or projects.
A business group might have marca.group for its corporate site and marca.shop for its store, or use .es and .eu to reinforce local and European presence.
The web is no longer a rigid structure — it becomes an ecosystem of interconnected digital identities.
In this context, SMEs now have an advantage they didn’t before: they can compete on equal terms with big brands.
Registering a domain like panaderia.shop or taller.madrid communicates instantly what you do and where you are. It’s local SEO, branding, and marketing all in one line.
A step forward in digital maturity
The most innovative companies aren’t abandoning .com — but they are complementing it.
They use sectoral extensions for specific projects, campaigns, or products. For example, a company may keep its main site on .com but launch a new line under a .tech or .store domain.
They’re also using these extensions to reinforce brand consistency across channels: social media, emails, landing pages, and ads.
The adoption of alternative extensions is, in essence, a sign of digital maturity. It means companies see their domain not just as a web address — but as a strategic tool.
The future of digital naming
Everything suggests this model will consolidate in the coming years.
New extensions will continue gaining market share, especially among startups, digital businesses, and specialised sectors.
The global trend points toward a more segmented, semantic, and memorable internet. In this landscape, every company must decide what story it wants to tell from its web address.
Because in the end, the domain is the first word in your digital story. And in a world where every detail communicates, choosing the right extension could be the difference between being ignored or remembered.
At Entorno Digital we help companies, startups and brands register and protect their domains with a strategic vision — combining security, expert support and comprehensive management.
If you're thinking of registering a new extension or strengthening your digital presence, now is the time to explore beyond .com by clicking here.
