do you think you have to Have .COM?
 

Im looking to start another forum and I need to ask what you think about a .net for a forum ? does it hurt me to start with .NET or should i really look to get a .com?

I've owned forums on both .net and .com and I don't think it makes much difference. As long as you have a unique and popular topic, it would'nt matter if your domain ended with .dodo.

One of my favorite sites has a name I can never even remember enough to type in without using Google and they have a kajillion users http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

I agree with EvilLS1 that it's more about content than anything, if it's good enough people will find their way there.

And you ask this on vBulletin.ORG??

Don't think it makes much of a difference if you have decent content, although I am somewhat biased by definition here.

LOL!

Thread closed.

I don't think it is as important as it once was. In earlier days .com seemed to be more highly coveted and the most widely known. However there are so many TLD's now that I think internet users are more familiar with domains that aren't necessarily .com

One thing I would check is see who is on the .com and maybe other TLD versions of the domain you are selecting, just to see what is there. The only time this would really be an issue is on a direct type in, like you advertise on a bulletin board or in the newspaper or something, and someone remembers fancyparrot but can't remember if it is .com or whatever.

Thank you for the feedback I found a .com I like
And yes I asked the question on .org , I found it through a .com !

.com is way more important to get.

Word of mouth ends when they think they remember your website and pop in .com at the end and never find you.

.org = non-profit organization
.com = commercial intent
.net = network and computer topics

In my opinion, most .com's should be .net or .org if anything.