Forget '.com': GoDaddy Offers 14 New Website Domain Extensions Starting today, pre-register for websites with endings that include ".plumbing," ".photography" and ".guru."

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Like the sound of Weddings.Photography for your business website? Or KeyLimePie.Guru, perhaps?

Website-domain registrar GoDaddy is allowing people to pre-register for 14 new domain extensions starting today, including both ".photography" and ".guru."

While websites currently end with familiar domain extensions such as ".com," ".org," ".net," and ".org," that is all changing. That's critical for entrepreneurs, because in the evermore online world, the clarity and searchability of a business's website domain can make or break its success.

Consider the hypothetical entrepreneur, Joe, who owns a plumbing business called Pipe Master Joe. If his website were PipeMasterJoe.com, that would leave more room for misinterpretation than, say, the website PipeMasterJoe.Plumbing. Or, what if PipeMasterJoe.com were already taken? With the addition of more domain extensions, now Joe the plumber has more options.

Related: Self-Made Billionaire Michael Rubin: E-Commerce Is Rapidly Changing (Video)

"In order for small businesses to be successful, a strong online identity is a must. The new name options can help provide quick and easy context for a business," said Mike McLaughlin, the vice president of domains at GoDaddy, in a statement. "If you think about it, domain names are essentially 21st century real estate -- it is the online address given to customers, friends and family."

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Go Daddy has access to the pre-registration for the following 14 domains:

1) .estate
2) .photography
3) .ventures
4) .guru
5) .bike
6) .clothing
7) .gallery
8) .singles
9) .camera
10) .lighting
11) .plumbing
12) .equipment
13) .graphics
14) .holdings

The 14 domain extensions will begin to become available early next year, and competition is likely to be fierce. That's why GoDaddy is able to sell early access: It's offering to do the hustle for you.

This website inventory expansion is a long time coming. Back in 2005, the non-profit organization that oversees the name of Internet sites, the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers, started the process of making more generic top level domains (commonly referred to as gTLDs) available.

Related: TOMS Creates E-Commerce Hub for Socially Conscious Shoppers

As soon as a domain name opens, GoDaddy's technology will instantly attempt to register you for the domain name for which you have pre-registered. The cost of pre-registering for a domain name is contingent upon how close you want to be to the front of the line and what domain name you are going after. Fees can go as high as $12,000.

To pre-register for any of the above domains, visit www.GoDaddy.com/NewDomains. If multiple customers pre-register for the same domain, they will be invited into an auction for the specific address. There are no guarantees. If GoDaddy can't get your domain name, then you get your money back, save any application costs.

Related: Your Blog's Secret Weapon: Old Content

Wavy Line
Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Business News

Oscar Mayer Is Changing the Name of Its Iconic Wienermobile

The company is slamming the brakes on its wiener on wheels and rolling out a new meaty ride.

Devices

Take Your Social Media Earning Potential Sky-High With This $79.97 Quadcopter

Get this beginner-friendly drone for a great price for Father's Day.

Growing a Business

Subscribers Exclusive Event: Discover How These 2 Founders Turned Their Side Hustle into a Million-Dollar Lifestyle Brand

Learn how you can transform your personal brand into a thriving business empire with co-founders of The Skinny Confidential

Health & Wellness

Sleep Better, Snore Less, and Stay Cool with This Tech-Packed Pillow, Now $49.99

Let technology help you sleep better with this 8-in-1 cooling pillow.

Business Plans

How to Change Careers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to make a career change without compromising your finances or future? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to change careers to learn more.

Business News

'All Hell Is Going to Break Loose': Barbara Corcoran Issues Warning About Real Estate Market, Interest Rates

The "Shark Tank" star appeared on FOX Business' "The Claman Countdown" this week.