.Com or .Org for Political Campaigns? How to Choose Your Domain Name

When it comes to choosing a domain name for your political campaign website, your choice matters more than you might think. One of the first decisions your campaign must make is which domain name and extension to use. Get it wrong, and you risk confusing voters, losing traffic – or worse, sending supporters to the wrong site.

Anyone can register a top-level .com or .org domain name. While the .com extension is the most familiar, .org is often used for non-profit organizations, including political campaigns. (.net is also available, but it’s not widely used for political campaigns and tends to be less memorable.)

In terms of search engine optimization (SEO), it doesn’t matter much whether you use a .com or a .org extension. Both are treated equally by search engines. But in the minds of voters, .com tends to be the default, and .org may suggest a more cause-based or nonprofit identity.

Tip: You can get a free .com domain with any Online Candidate campaign website package.

Should You Register Both .Com and .Org Domain?

Short answer; you probably don’t need both. But if your campaign organization wants to register a .org name and use that as your primary domain name, then make sure the you also own the .com extension. Many visitors will instinctively type “.com” instead of “.org” when searching for your site. If you only own the .org and not the .com, they could end up on someone else’s site—or no site at all.

By owning both versions, you can redirect one to the other. For example, if someone types in yourwebsite.com, they can automatically be redirected to yourwebsite.org. That way, you won’t lose potential supporters to a mistyped URL.

If the .com domain you want is already taken and you really want it, it might be worth trying to purchase the name. This can get expensive, though. For campaigns on a budget, it may be better to brainstorm a new domain name rather than overpay.

Tips for Choosing a Good Campaign Domain Name

When selecting a domain name for your campaign, keep it short, memorable, and relevant. Ideally, use your full name or the position you’re running for. For example, janedoeformayor.com is clear and specific. Avoid using hyphens, numbers, the year, or complicated words that are hard to spell. Keep in mind how the domain will look on signs, social media, and in print. If possible, register multiple versions or common misspellings to redirect to your main site.

Tip: If you’re running in a local race, consider including your city or district name, like smithforalbany.com,  to make it easier for voters to find you in search results.

Watch Out for Domain Squatting

If you delay registering your domain, someone else might grab it – either unintentionally or to resell it at a high price. This practice, called domain squatting, is more common than you’d think—especially during election season. Worse, your opponent could register a similar domain and use it for their own messaging or to confuse voters. That’s why registering early and considering related or alternate domain names is more than just good campaign protection.

Important: Always register your campaign domain name before printing signs, mailers, or publishing social media ads. Nothing looks worse than advertising a domain that doesn’t exist—or one you don’t control.

Related: Sign up for FREE campaign tips and updates.

Protecting your privacy

WHOIS is a public directory that maintains a record of all domain registrations. It includes registrant details such as your name, email, phone number, and mailing address. Once registered, your inbox may fill up with spam offering everything from SEO services to website design.

Why? Because your contact info is publicly visible—unless you opt for domain privacy protection.

Adding ID Protect when registering your domain keeps your personal information hidden from spammers and telemarketers. Without it, your private contact information becomes searchable by anyone.

Keeping your domain after the election

If you think you are going to run for office again in the next election cycle, you may want to keep the domain name, even if your website goes offline. The cost is about $25 a year. And this keeps your domain from lapsing and giving someone else the opportunity to register it for themselves.

Considering .REPUBLICAN or .DEMOCRAT Domains?

Looking for something beyond the typical .com or .org?

.REPUBLICAN and .DEMOCRAT domain names instantly communicate your party affiliation to voters. These politically branded domains can boost your visibility and clearly signal your identity to visitors and search engines alike.

Right now, you can register a .DEMOCRAT or .REPUBLICAN domain with Online Candidate. Just be aware that premium domain names may be priced higher—or unavailable—depending on demand.

Whatever domain you choose, secure yours early before someone else does.

Additional Resources:

• Free Download: Political Website Domains and Hosting – What You Need To Know
• Is Your Campaign Website Domain Really Yours?

Ready to get started? Register your domain, set up hosting and get the tools you need to WIN your election. Check out our affordable Political Website Packages.