Never heard about the Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) before? While you may not know the name, your eyes have actually witnessed a lot of them, for example, Last.fm, About.me, and even Hongki.at had been adopting country-based domain names to brilliantly express their business purpose or niche, and even improve their branding and reputation!

In this post, we will be discussing the pros and cons of the ccTLD, and how to use it in a series of creative and engaging ways.

We also provide you a list of ccTLDs with vital information such as official NIC for each domain, and their suggested price for comparison. Don’t miss this chance to grab a suitable one for your web business.

Recommended Reading: Web Hosting Consumer Guide: 9 Tips You Should Know

Why Should I Use ccTLD?

For a higher SEO value for country-based search results. This is the greatest benefit of adopting ccTLD as the domain name for your website. Google has already stated that their search engine perceive ccTLD as a strong sign that your site is targeted to a certain country, thus it will rank higher in Google’s country-based result, or the country’s local search engine.

Be careful though as Google treats certain ccTLD as generic Top Level Domain (gTLD), such as .tv or .me, but they could vary over time.

(Image Source: Byte Level Research)

ccTLD is good for credibility and it raises the confidence of the users visiting your site, especially when they come from the country of your implemented ccTLD. It might be tricky to understand but in certain countries like China, the locals there have the tendency to visit a .cn brand site.

This may be because the preference for the language, the locality ensures that webmaster is reachable, and issues like expensive import duty or permanent ban do not often exist.

ccTLD also improves branding. With .com domain name, all you can do for branding is get a decent name, but with smart tricks applied on ccTLD branded sites, you could express your creativity, explain your site purpose and even encourage users to act upon the brand. The URL is also significantly shorter so it helps users to memorize it quickly.

How To Use ccTLD Creatively

The trick that most well-branded companies applied on their ccTLD is definitely the Domain Hack, in which the webmaster turns the ccTLD into part of its brand name. Some of the best examples are Hongki.at, Instagr.am, Youtu.be, and Redd.it. You could even think of one before you start establishing a brand, and here’s a list to help you squeeze out a creative domain hack!

(Image Source: Fotolia)

Promoting user actions is part of a site owner’s role and when used correctly, this is where ccTLD can really shine: Hire.me, Check.in, Help.us, Buy.tv, Sync.me and so on, you are only limited by your imagination.

Besides, you don’t have to limit yourself with domain extensions, names like BuyiPhoneCa.se or RateGa.me could work well as long as they signal user action.

With ccTLD you could inject more brand information inside the web address to educate visitors more about your brand. Take Last.fm and Blip.tv as example, the .fm and .tv domain name already informed users the niche of the site even before they visit the place.

How You Could Prevent The Cons of ccTLD

It’s always better to buy a .com domain before you register a ccTLD domain name for your website. This is the golden rule for every webmaster, and below are a few critical reasons explaining why failing to follow this rule will possibly cause you great harm or failure.

First of all, it’s about user-friendliness. Internet users are subconsciously trained to retrieve .com domain name every time they recall a sitename, so it’s more likely that they will tie in your site name with the .com extension first. If they do this and could not find your site then left, this amounts to a great loss of page views, conversion rates, and analytics data.

(Image Source: Fotolia)

And now the dark side of the Internet, a rival could just as easily take your name and build it on the .com domain to take advantage of the customers who come in looking for you. They could, brand their site with their own logos and products, which could mislead visitors to believe that you’re part of them. Also they could just throw in lots of virus-infected web pages, fraud, or scams to take advantage of your visitors, leading to a bruised reputation. You don’t really want to spend time meddling with this even if you could seek for law protection.

Once you have gotten the .com domain name for your website, the next check up you should perform is if the ccTLD has bad performance record, for instance the .cc domain name is famous for spam use. You should also be aware that certain ccTLDs are banned by certain countries. However, these cases are minor and things could change, so it shouldn’t really stop you from acquiring the ccTLD for all the benefits mentioned above.

ccTLDs Comparison Chart

Finally we have prepared a chart for you to recognize currently available ccTLDs, understand their represented country and know their official Domain Network Information Center (NIC). You can also compare their prices to find one that will fit your proposed budget.

And yes, ccTLD is always more expensive than the Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD), with some even costing up to $109.99.

In this case, don’t rush to purchase the ccTLD directly, and try to compare the price with other online domain registrars such as NameCheap, or consult your local registrar for a possibly cheaper deal, especially when you want to purchase the domain name that represents your country.

Domain	Represented Country	Domain NIC / Registrar	Suggested Price (GoDaddy)
.ca	Canada	Canadian IRA	12.99
.es	Spain	Dominios	14.99
.eu	European Union	EURid	14.99
.it	Italy	Registro .it	14.99
.nl	Netherlands	SIDN	14.99
.in	India	NIC India	16.98
.be	Belgium	Dns.be	17.49
.de	Germany	DENIC.de	17.99
.ru	Russia	RU-CENTER	19.10 (RU-CENTER)
.me	Montenegro	.ME Domain Names	19.98
.us	United States of America	Neustar	19.98
.cc	Cocos Islands	Verisign	19.99
.fr	France	AFNIC	19.99
.tk	Tokelau	Dot TK	19.99
.bz	Belize	Nic.bz	24.99
.co	Colombia	.CO Internet S.A.S	29.99
.se	Sweden	IIS.se	29.99
.gs	South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands	CoCCA	34.99
.nu	Niue	nunames	34.99
.my	Malaysia	MYNIC	39.50 (Exabytes)
.tv	Tuvalu	Watch.tv	39.99
.tw	Taiwan	TWNIC	39.99
.ms	Montserrat	.MS NIC	44.99
.vg	British Virgin Islands	AdamsNames	44.99
.mx	Mexico	Akky	49.99
.at	Austria	Nic.at	59.99
.fm	Federated States of Micronesia	NIC.FM	79.99
.am	Armenia	Armenia NIC	89.99
.jp	Japan	JPNIC	99.99
.ag	Antigua & Barbuda	Nic AG	109.99

Love is in the air! February 14 is coming and it’s time to set the right mood for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the day of love, roses and candy. You can always try to take them out on a nice dinner and a show, or get them an exquisite gift to show them your love.

Those who have the time and skills to make lovely designs may find an idea in this – Valentine’s Day Design: Best Tutorials And Resources Roundup.

For the rest of us without, why not try a lovely wallpaper? If you loved this love bird wallpaper, and this Book of Love wallpaper, you are going to be pleased with 50 more hand-picked wallpapers.

Recommended Reading: 50 Exquisite Gifts For This Valentine’s Day

Words of Love (By: Alice vel. Hazel)
Available in the following sizes: 800×600, 1150×870, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200 & 2560×1600.

Dream Cortex Valentine’s Day (By: Benjamin Yiu)
Available in the following size: 1024×768.

Hugs & Kisses (By: C.P. Storm)
Available in the following size: 1024×767.

Valentine’s Day Preparation (By: Dry Icons)
Available in the following size: 600×600.

Be My Valentine (By: Danijel Krolo)
Available in the following size: 2560×1600.

Splattered Heart (By: Daniel)
Available in the folloiwng size: 1280×1024.

In Love 2.0 (By: Daniel)
Available in the following size: 1680×1050.

Lovers (By: Daniel)
Available in the following size: 1680×1050.

Reaching Out For Love (By: Christina Pereira)
Available in the following size: 1440×900.

Red Heart Box (By: CSS Creme)
Available in the following sizes: 852×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900 & 1600×1200.

Cute Teddy (By: CSS Creme)
Available in the following sizes: 852×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440 & 2560×1600.

Glasses of Love (By: CSS Creme)
Available in the following sizes: 852×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900 & 1600×1200.

Undelivered Valentine (By: Ayax Nataniel Alarcon)
Available in the following size: 1920×1200.

Heart in the Snow (By: Christian Feivik)
Available in the following size: 1000×625.

Life is Hard – Valentine’s Gift (By: Marc-Andre H.)
Available in the following size: 1024×768.

Love Letters (By: Lia Lake)
Available in the following size: 1024×768.

L for Love (By: Eduardo M)
Available in the following size: 1280×768.

Love Cards (By: Yavor)
Available in the following size: 695×533.

Love Heart Pin (By: Jannah Amin)
Available in the following size: 1280×800.

When You Are In Love (By: Vlad Gerasimov)
Available in the following size: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×960, 1600×1200 & 1920×1440.

The Two & The Valentine (By: Vlad Gerasimov)
Available in the following size: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×960, 1600×1200 & 1920×1440.

Rain of (Love) Arrows (By: Vlad Gerasimov)
Available in the following sizes: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×960, 1600×1200 & 1920×1440.

Looove (By: Vlad Gerasimov)
Available in the following sizes: 800×600, 1024×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1500, 1440×900, 1440×960, 1600×900, 1600×1050, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2560×1600 & 2880×1800.

Happy Valentine’s Day: A Boy in Love (By: Vlad Gerasimov)
Available in the following sizes: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×960, 1600×1200 & 1920×1440.

Happy Valentine’s Day: A Girl in Love (By: Vlad Gerasimov)
Available in the following sizes: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×960, 1600×1200 & 1920×1440.

Love is in the Air (By: Ankur Patar)
Available in the following size (via Santabanta): 1024×768, 1280×1024 & 1440×900.

Love Wallpaper (By: Argie)
Available in the following size: 1024×768.

I Heart You (By: Wilhelm)
Available in the following size: 1366×768.

Drawn to You (By: Nabhan Abdullatif)
Available in the following size: 1920×1200.

Love’s In February (By: Putri Regina)
Available in the following sizes: 1280×960, 1600×1200, 1680×1050 & 1920×1200.

Valentine’s Day (By: Adobetutorialz)
Available in the following sizes (via Smashing Magazine): 1280×960, 1600×1200, 1680×1050 & 1920×1200.

Love (Image Source: Travis Person)
Available in the following size: 1024×683.

Pink Textile (By: Indeziner)
Available in the following sizes (via Smashing Magazine): 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200 & 1680×1050.

3 Words (By: Rosanna Bell)
Availabe in the following size: 900×563.

Month of Hearts (By: Steph Lam)
Available in the following sizes: 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050 & 1920×1200.

Footprints (By: Federica Sibella)
Available in the following sizes: 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440 & 2560×1600.

Love Compose (By: Kayro Yinxi Chen)
Available in the following sizes (via Smashing Magazine): 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050 & 1920×1200.

Mr. & Ms. Nice (By: Diana Morgado)
Available in the following sizes (via Smashing Magazine): 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200 & 2560×1440.

Heartbroken (By: Danae Botha)
Available in the following sizes (via Smashing Magazine): 320×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1440×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440 & 2560×1440.

Heart On a String (By: Jacob Giesler)
Available in the following sizes (via Smashing Magazine): 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200 & 2560×1440.

Be Mine (By: Pop Up Factory)
Available in the following sizes: 852×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900 & 1680×1050.

First Love (By: Sajid Hussain)
Available in the following size: 1280×800.

Happy Valentine (By: Eliott)
Available in the following size: 1440×900.

Happy Valentine’s Day (By: Alyanna)
Available in the following size: 600×400.

Happy Valentine’s Day (By: David)
Available in the following size: 1280×960.

I Didn’t Mean You’re Fat (By: Maquita)
Available in the following size: 1680×1050.

Broken Heart (By: John Boyer)
Available in the following size: 1920×1080.

Valentine (By: Andy Hsu)
Available in the following size: 800×800.

Clay Love (By: Nick Efimov)
Available in the following size: 1280×960.

Valentine’s (By: Andreas Kwedo)
Available in the following size: 1024×768.

Beauty is subjective, and rarely is something more subjective than abstract art. Abstract artworks may appear bizarre to some of us, leaving us with question marks more than answers. But no explanation is necessary to enjoy abstract beauty, is there?

The simple abstract wallpaper like this one below could be drops of rain or wintry snowflakes, but the point isn’t to know it, the point is to enjoy it.

(Image Source: Gabriel)

The middle of the week is here again, and for our Wallpaper Wednesday this week, we are looking at 20+ Creative and Unique Abstract Wallpaper. Let your mind wander and try to reveal the secrets behind all these artworks below. Have an inspired week ahead.

Read Also: Wallpaper Wednesday: Dual Screen Wallpapers

Altered. Available in the following size(s): 320×480, 640×960, 768×1024, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440. Download zip.

Color Abstraction. Available in the following size(s): 640×960, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 2560×1440, 2560×1600, 2560×1920. Download zip.

Passion. Available in the following size(s): 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1600. Download zip.

Dawn. Available in the following size(s): 960×800, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080. Download rar.

Digital Love. Available in the following size(s): 1280×920, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200. Download zip.

Abstract Chromatic. Available in the following size(s): 800×600, 1024×768, 1280,1024, 1600×1200. Download rar.

Illusion. Available in the following size(s): 480×272, 640×960, 1024×1024, 1680×1050. Download zip.

Wide Aurora. Available in the following size(s): 640×854, 960×854, 1024×1024, 1600×1200, 2560×1600. Download rar.

Space Aurora. Available in the following size with 3 different colours. Blue-Red, Red-Blue and Rainbow: 2560×1600. Download zip.

Cotton Candy. Available in the following size(s): 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600. Download zip.

Soft. Available in the following size: 1920×1680. Download rar.

Up. Available in the following size(s): 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080. Download zip.

Pandemonium. Available in the following size: 1920×1200. Download zip.

Wrap. Available in the following size(s): 320×480, 640×960, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600. Download zip.

Abstract Space. Available in 2880×1620.

Colourful Cloud. Available in 1920×1080.

Sundown. Available in the following size(s) and 5 different colours. Purple, Green, Grey, Blue and Brown: 340×480, 640×960, 1024×1024, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440. Download zip.

Line. Available in the following size(s) and 7 different colours. Blue, Gray, Green, Red, Green+Orange, Green+yellow x2, and Red+Blue: 1280×1024, 1680×1050. Download zip.

006030010. Available in the following size(s): 640×854, 960×854, 1024×1024, 1600×1200, 2560×1600. Download rar.

Abstract. Available in the following size: 2560×1600. Download zip.

Shine. Available in the following size(s): 1280×800, 1440×900, 1280×1024, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600. Download zip.

Gauss Aqua. Available in the following size: 2560×1600. Download zip.

A Call To Heaven. Available in the following size(s) and 5 variations of blue and green colours: 640×960, 960×900, 2560×1440, 2560×1600. Download zip.

Baltic. Available in the following size(s): 960×800, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080. Download rar.

Woid. Available in the follow size: 2560×1440. Download zip.

Winter Frost. Available in the following size(s): 720×1080, 1600×1200, 1920×1080. Download zip.

Party. Available in the following size(s) and 4 different design: 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600. Download zip.