A domain name is your online address that guides your customers to your webpage. However, choosing an NZ domain name is more challenging than it seems. There are a lot of aspects to consider for a perfect domain name. 

It starts with choosing between two types of Top-Level Domains. A Top-level domain is formed by generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) and country-code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs). Let us understand in detail what these two terms mean and their difference.

It is always better to buy a domain name with appropriate domain hosting to ensure optimal performance and reliability. 

Difference between gTLDs and ccTLDs

SR NO	Particulars	gTLDs	ccTLDs
1	Definition	A generic top-level domain is a broader concept not restricted to any specific country, allowing global registration.	A country code top-level domain targets a specific country or region, often denoted by a two-letter code.
2	Example	.com, .net, .org, .biz, .name, .pro	.in (India), .sg (Singapore), .tk (Tokelau), .io
3	Purpose	The generic domain name is used for various purposes, including commercial, network, non-profit, and restricted activities.	The country code top-level domain is utilized for targeting specific geographic locations or regions.
4	Registration requirement	Registering a generic top-level domain name with the original gTLD is simple and easy. You just need to find a registrar that ICANN approves and follow their rules and fees. But when it comes to new gTLDs, for instance, .brand or .shop, the process is more complicated.  You need to apply to create and manage the registry. This process can take a long time, sometimes more than 20 months. Plus, there are fees for applying and several other allied costs with it.	Registration of country code top-level domains is also complex. The requirements may differ from country to country. Every country has a governing body that defines and deals with terms for registration. Therefore, those businesses that fulfill that legal requirement are permitted to make use of country code top-level domains. You also need to be updated with updates provided by governing authorities, as they are capable of amending them.
5	Recognised	A generic top-level domain name widely recognized and used for diverse purposes.	Country code top-level domains are recognized locally and used for targeting specific countries or regions.
6	Recognition & Trust Factor	A generic top-level domain name is often perceived as trustworthy and memorable. However, with newer gTLDs, that may not be the case.	Country code top-level domains have no strong association with trust levels. However, it is advantageous for local e-commerce audiences for decision-making.
7	Target Market & Audience Reach	A generic top-level domain name is recognized worldwide, effective for international audiences, geo-targeting can be used.	The country codes top-level domains are the best option for local businesses and instill trust in local audiences. It may have less global reach.
8	Availability	A generic top-level domain name is often hard to find available names due to its popularity.	The country code top-level domains have comparatively more availability due to regional specificity and shorter TLDs.
9	SEO	A generic top-level domain name ranking depends on relevance and global competition.	The country code top-level domains are prioritized for users in specific regions, leading to higher rankings for relevant searches.

Conclusion

Choosing between gTLD or ccTLD depends on your business goals. For instance, if you are aiming for an international audience, not targeting a specific country, then gTLD works better for you. 

On the other hand, if you are a local business targeting a regional audience, then ccTLD is something that will work better for you. There are several aspects to keep in mind, so be smart and go for the popular but affordable domains to target a wide audience.