What Are .fm Domains and How to Get Them?

.com, .net, .org – there are plenty of domain names to pick from when setting up a website. Some have quite widespread appeal, while others are much more niche, with specific advantages and use cases. The domain .fm falls into the latter category.

The .fm domain may not be as well-known or widely used as .com. However, it’s still worth considering as an option when creating your next website. In this guide, we’ll look at what .fm domains are and how to register your own .fm site.

What Is .fm?

Let’s kick off with a definition. We can divide domain names into various categories. There are generic TLDs, such as .org, .com, .net, etc. Then, there are country-code TLDs, or ccTLDs, which are domain names associated with specific countries or territories around the world.

The domain .fm is a ccTLD. To be more specific, it’s the ccTLD for the Federated States of Micronesia. Micronesia is an island country, comprised of more than 600 islands in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia.

Like other ccTLDs, .fm was created for people and businesses based in Micronesia to set up sites that would appeal to the local audience. However, certain ccTLDs end up with much broader appeal, and .fm is one such example – people and brands from all over the world have set up .fm sites.

How to Get a .fm Site

When you choose a domain name for your website, you have to first learn how the registration process works and if there are any specific rules or requirements you need to abide by. With many ccTLDs, for example, you have to live in the country in question or do business there to use the ccTLD.

Luckily, that’s not the case with .fm. In fact, this ccTLD is pretty much universally available to anyone who wants it. There aren’t any strict rules about using it, so you don’t have to live in Micronesia, nor do you need to find a trustee service to represent you in Micronesia or anything like that.

Instead, you just need to follow quite a simple setup process:

1. Decide on a name you want to use for your website.
2. Check that your name is available with the .fm extension (use online availability checkers to help).
3. Find a trusted .fm domain registration service to help you claim your domain.
4. Provide the necessary information and pay the relevant fees.
5. Claim ownership of your site, and remember to renew each year to maintain your site.

Reasons to Consider the .fm Domain

You might be wondering, “Why would I want to choose a domain name for Micronesia when setting up my website?” Well, there are actually several big reasons to opt for the .fm domain, such as:

For Online Radio Stations or Radio-Related Sites

A big reason why .fm sites are pretty popular is because the letters of this domain name perfectly line up with those for FM radio. When people see those two letters together, they tend to associate it with radio. As such, if you want to set up an online radio platform, or some other site that has a connection with radio, this isn’t a bad domain to pick.

For Podcasts and Music Service

The domain .fm isn’t just for radio platforms. It also extends to sites that offer podcasts, music streaming, and similar kinds of content. The U.K.-based music website and former radio streaming service, Last.fm, for example, uses the .fm extension. You can create some clever domain hacks this way – such as websites that use the domain code as part of the site name. It can be helpful for targeting your audience.

For Those Seeking a Cheap, Available Domain

It’s worth noting, too, that .fm sites are relatively cheap to register. Plus, since .fm isn’t anywhere near as popular as the likes of .net and .com, it’s usually easier to get the exact website name you want with an .fm ending, rather than trying to get the same name with .com at the end.

Get Your .fm Site Today

If you want to make a radio-based site, a music platform, or just like the way .fm sounds, then it’s best to register your site sooner, rather than later. Find a trusted registrar, check availability, and claim your .fm domain today.