.net (short for "network") is one of the oldest generic TLDs, created in 1985 alongside .com. Originally aimed at network infrastructure companies (ISPs, network providers). Today there are 13+ million .net domains — still popular but a fraction (1/12) of .com.
When .net is used
Traditional .net usage — technology, IT, and network-related companies. Examples: speedtest.net (network speed test), behance.net (Adobe creative network), Slack.net (corporate brand alias).
Another common use — community and forum sites. Reddit previously held reddit.net alongside reddit.com.
Brand alias — when the .com isn't available, .net is an alternative. Example: smth.com taken, you can grab smth.net.
Advantages of .net
Today 50-70% of products and services live on .com, but technical audiences view .net as natural. For technical clients .net feels "professional".
Trust — .net has been in the world 30+ years. More trusted than new TLDs (.tech, .io) by virtue of age.
Price slightly cheaper than .com — $10-15/year.
Drawbacks of .net
Many users get it wrong — when you say ".net" they type ".com" in the browser.
The "technical" feel may or may not fit your content.
Premium .net prices match .com — short and well-known .net names go for $500-50,000+.
Registering .net
Price: $10-15/year (Namecheap, GoDaddy). Via Sayt.uz 169,000 sum/year. Practically the same as .com.
No restrictions — any business or individual can register a .net.
.net vs .com vs .org vs .io
.com — universal, trusted, mainstream. .net — technical, network-oriented, secondary choice. .org — non-profit, education, community. .io — startup and modern technology.
For a new startup: try in order .com → .io → .ai → .net.
Sayt.uz practice
4% of Sayt.uz clients register .net — mostly IT and network companies (matching the original purpose), or as an alternative when .com is taken. We help 5-10 clients per year buy premium .net (4-letter) names. Tip: when starting a new project, check .com first. If taken, try .io or .ai (technical), .uz (local), then .net (general alternative).