.music domains: Best choice for music websites?

Key takeaways

• A .music domain can enhance a musician’s online presence by clearly identifying their site as music-related and potentially improving visibility in music-specific searches.
• While .music domains offer branding benefits and better name availability, they come with higher costs and may not be as widely recognized as traditional TLDs like .com.
• Registering a .music domain involves choosing a registrar, checking availability, and completing the registration process.
• Maintaining a .music domain, meanwhile, requires timely renewals and keeping contact information up to date.

For musicians and artists, one of the biggest factors in making it in the industry is connecting with people who believe in your work. Fans are eager to support your career, but are you making it easy for them to do so?

Creating an online presence that reaches a global audience is important to help you grow in the music world. Adding .music to your domain name might open doors to life-changing opportunities.

In this article, we’ll learn more about the .music domain and its potential benefits for your music website. We’ll also include steps and tips for registering and maintaining your .music domain.

What is a domain name?

A domain name is your music website’s address that helps supporters find you easily online. It consists of the domain and the domain extension, which is also known as the top-level domain (TLD). For example, in the URL www.google.com, “google” is the domain, while “.com” is the domain extension.

While your domain reflects your brand, your domain extension gives the audience context about your site’s purpose and influences their first impressions of it. This is why it’s important to pick the right TLD for your music website.

What is the .music domain extension?

The .music domain extension is a specialized TLD made to create a safe online space for music-related entities. It’s intended for artists, musicians, bands, and record labels, among many others.

In April 2019, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) gave DotMusic Limited the rights to the .music domain, making the company the official .music registry.

Last October 2024, the .music registry launched the .music TLD and the MusicID. The latter is an identifier that ensures only verified members representing the global music community can register and use the TLD.

This initiative protects music professionals from impersonation, fraud, and unauthorized use of intellectual property. It also helps consumers and music industry professionals to differentiate human-created music from AI-generated works.

Should you choose a .music domain?

A solid online presence is important now that technology has changed how people find and consume music. A .music domain helps create a virtual identity that better connects you with your target audience.

One of the ways it allows you to reach new supporters is that it can potentially improve your search rankings.

No, Google doesn’t prioritize new TLDs like .music over the others. Rather, it treats all gTLDs, new and old, equally.

That said, picking a TLD that’s highly relevant to the music industry might boost your visibility in music-related searches. Many users, however, might still trust domain extensions like .com or .org more because of their long-established credibility.

Consider these other pros and cons of .music domains to make an informed decision for your music website.

WITH A .MUSIC DOMAIN, YOU’LL…

PROS	CONS
Establish branding and credibility in the music industry	Have a less-recognized TLD because of its newness
Stand out from competitors and be memorable	Need to verify your music professional identity
Build trust with fans and new supporters	Risk brand inconsistency when transferring from another domain
Have better domain name options available	Pay more expensive registration and renewal fees compared to standard domains

How do you register your .music domain name?

Domain registration involves processes like creating a domain name and selecting a domain registrar. Follow these easy steps to register your .music domain name:

Step 1: Brainstorm a unique domain name

Go for a distinct domain to pair with the .music TLD. You want to create a domain name that’ll keep you at the top of your audience’s minds so it’s easy for them to find you online. Make sure it also reflects your brand to reinforce your identity as a musician or artist.

If you’re feeling stuck, you can use an AI domain generator tool to help you come up with unique ideas. Some tools already present you with available domain names so you don’t have to check if they’re taken or not.

Step 2: Pick a domain registrar

Domain registrars are entities accredited by registries that handle your domain registration. Consider the following features when choosing a domain registrar:

• Pricing. Compare prices for initial registration, renewals, and transfers. Take note of hidden fees or introductory offers that increase significantly upon renewal.
• Ease of use. Prioritize a registrar with a user-friendly website. Intuitive controls make navigation easy when you manage your domains.
• Customer support. Look for registrars with responsive and helpful customer support via multiple channels. Check online reviews to determine their support quality.
• Security features. Select a domain registrar that offers additional security features. For instance, Domain.com provides Domain Privacy + Protection to keep your personal information private so you can avoid unsolicited emails. This feature also protects your domain from multiple malicious activities.

Step 3: Check your domain name’s availability

Some domain registrars have a domain search tool you can use to see if your chosen domain name is available. In case it isn’t, the tool will suggest available alternatives.

However, if you want to stick with your initial choice, you can always look for the domain’s owner and negotiate terms.

Step 4: Register your domain

Follow your chosen registrar’s domain registration instructions. The process typically involves providing your contact details, processing the payment, and choosing your registration term.

How do you maintain your .music domain name?

There are several important tasks you should do to maintain your .music domain. Use the checklist below as a guide.

Renew your domain registration

Domain registrations are usually set for a specific period of time. Failure to renew your registration will result in domain expiration, making it available for others to register.

To avoid this, set reminders in advance of the expiration date. Auto-renewal is often a good option, but make sure you monitor your payment methods to avoid unexpected issues.

Update your contact details regularly

When you register your domain name, you automatically list your contact details in the WHOIS database. ICANN manages this listing and requires you to keep your information accurate and current. Failing to do so might result in registration suspension or cancellation.

Protect your domain from unauthorized access

Use strong passwords for your registrar account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if available. These steps help prevent unauthorized changes to your domain settings.

Keep up with domain name policies

Stay informed about any changes in ICANN policies or your registrar’s terms of service that might affect your domain.

Lead your audience to your music with a .music domain

Using a .music domain sets you apart from others and makes you memorable to the music community. However, it also has drawbacks like higher registration costs or lesser-known status.

Now that you’ve learned more about the .music domain, use this knowledge to make an informed choice that will benefit your music website.

While you’re at it, consider reading our article on how owning multiple domain names helps you secure your branding.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)