How a .cc Domain Registration Can Benefit Your Brand

When you’re building a creative business or tech startup, domain names can be powerful branding tools that help differentiate you from competitors and make your brand memorable. While you might initially consider traditional generic extensions like .com and .org, there’s another option: .cc.

The .cc domain has been popular for over a decade (sometimes for the wrong reason), with registrations in millions as the 7th most popular ccTLD for new registrations in 2024. But you might be surprised to learn about how the domain shifted from obscurity to the spotlight to its current use. Here’s what you need to know about the .cc domain and how to register it.

What Is the .cc Domain?

.cc is technically the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. It is administered by VeriSign through a subsidiary company, eNIC, which promotes it for as “the next .com.”

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands have only about 600 inhabitants, but the domain’s professional management by VeriSign (the same company that handles .com and .net registrations) has made it a globally recognized extension that has been recommended for creatives, clubs, communities, and even churches, among others.

Notably, the .cc domain was previously scrutinized as one of the major sources of scam and phishing websites. This was due to the .cc domains offering practically free hosting and having negligible registration requirements. It helps explain the staggering number of registrations for a geographically and demographically small country.

However, despite its nefarious past, .cc still has professional appeal, thanks in part to VeriSign’s long history in the field.

Who Uses .cc Domains?

The “CC” part in particular can be interpreted as an abbreviation for many different phrases, including but not limited to: creative commons, Catholic/Christian church, country club, cryptocurrency, community college, call center. If it’s made up of two words that start with “C,” chances are it can be used for a .cc domain. Here are just some of the notable use cases and audiences.

Creative Professionals and Artists

.cc domains have often been used by individuals and organizations in creative fields, such as artists, designers, photographers, and content creators. The “Creative Commons” association gives these domains more credibility.

Technology Startups and Innovators

Some open-source or open-hardware projects, such as the Arduino project, use a .cc for their home pages, similarly using “CC” as the abbreviation for “Creative Commons.” This has led to other companies following suit and using .cc for their open-source endeavors.

Community Organizations and Clubs

Since “CC” can be an abbreviation for “Christian Church” or “Catholic Church,” as well as any community and club that starts with “C,” there’s a lot of traction to get a .cc domain for an organization in this sector. It allows you to stand out and be creative without limiting yourself to a .org domain.

Why Choose a .cc Domain?

.cc domains are typically available for memorable and short names, unlike similar generic TLDs. This feature has made them a popular choice for those seeking concise and eye-catching web addresses. With .com domains becoming increasingly scarce, .cc provides fresh opportunities for premium names.

Google technically treats .cc as a generic top-level domain (gTLD) due to the aforementioned lack of focus on the territory of the Cocos Islands. This means search engines are not going to accidentally sort your content as being region-specific, which puts it on par with .com or .org content (as well as a few other ccTLDs like .co, .me, .tv, or .ai).

The .cc domain also benefits from management by VeriSign, which has an infrastructure to support hosting and signing with different registrars and doesn’t depend on country-specific regulations.

Price-wise, .cc is generally priced the same as a comparable .com or .org domain. However, with far fewer names taken, you’re much more likely to get a name you want at a bargain price.

How to Register a .cc Domain

The registration process for .cc domains is straightforward:

1. Go to the Register.Domains page for .cc domains.
2. Enter the domain name you’d like to use in the search bar and check if it’s available. Given the extension’s growing popularity, act quickly on premium names.
3. Select your registration period, from one year up to 10. Longer terms often provide better value and ensure you don’t lose your domain to competitors. You can also set up automatic renewal if needed.
4. Follow the registration process, providing your contact information and completing the payment.
5. Configure your DNS settings or choose a hosting solution that works for your creative or business needs, then build and launch your website.

Registration Requirements

There are no specific restrictions or requirements for registering a .cc domain. Anyone can register one regardless of location or business type. This is one of the key reasons why the .cc domain consistently ranks among the top in new registrations.

Stand Out in the Digital Creative Economy with a .cc Domain

As you can see, registering a .cc domain is a chance to establish a memorable online presence that immediately signals creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking. Over the years, the .cc domain has experienced steady growth in registrations, and with its creative associations, professional management, and growing market recognition, .cc offers compelling advantages for anyone serious about building a distinctive brand.

If .cc seems like the right choice for your creative or tech venture, don’t wait. Register your domain today before the best creative names get snapped up.