Naming a new project is never easy. For internet startups, it’s even harder. Finding a memorable, distinctive .com domain that’s still available is practically mission impossible. That’s why many new businesses are turning to alternatives, including .io domains.
For years, .co and .me have been top picks for startups looking for the right name. Over the past several months, .IO domains have joined that group and steadily grown in popularity.
.IO technically refers to the British Indian Ocean Territory, an archipelago of 65 islands roughly halfway between Africa and Indonesia, with just 3,500 inhabitants. Yet there are some 30 registered domains for every resident, driven by businesses worldwide choosing this extension.
.IO has gained particular traction among tech companies because the letters stand for I/O (Input/Output), a widely recognized abbreviation in software development. Google even named its technology event series after the reference. This association, which also appears in the .io domain logo, makes it an ideal fit for companies in technology and software.
The main downside of .io domains is price: noticeably higher than .com. Even so, that doesn’t seem to be slowing their rise. More startups are choosing .io, and the trend shows no signs of stopping.
