.com vs .io vs .ai for B2B SaaS: Trust, SEO, and Conversions

For B2B sales, .com removes doubt. Alternatives are fine for early validation if you keep an upgrade path.

TL;DR

  • .com wins for trust, inbox deliverability, and procurement.
  • .io/.ai can work pre‑PMF; budget for a .com upgrade later.
  • Plan the migration before launch to avoid SEO debt.

What changes by TLD

  • Trust: fewer security reviews are triggered on .com.
  • SEO: brand queries matter more than TLD; keep it consistent.
  • Email: DMARC/SPF/DKIM on day one; some orgs filter odd TLDs.

Upgrade path

  1. Track exact‑match .com availability (broker or alerts).
  2. Keep product name stable so the redirect map is simple.
  3. Use 301s + canonical + Search Console during the switch.

See also

FAQ

  • Does .io hurt SEO? — Not directly; consistency matters more.
  • Is .ai acceptable? — For AI tools, yes; plan a .com upgrade.
  • Will IT block alternative TLDs? — .com is safest for security reviews and procurement.
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