I'm naming a new web app.  I came up with a name that I really like.  Based on Google searches, it's not being used by any existing company or product, however, the .com domain name is registered by a premium domain name service who are charging more than I'm willing to spend.Can I register an alternative (.net or .io) instead and just let them keep the .com?  What are the long term consequences?In terms of SEO Will I be open to negative publicity on the .com addressAm I likely to lose traffic when people type example.com and see a parked website instead of my actual site
What are the consequences of registering another TLD when the .com is already registered (and parked)?
domains;domain registration
Parked domains typically just have adverts and this won't impact on your SEO but might frustrate some customers if they guess the .com when typing in your brand name.If you don't own a domain name then there's always the possibility a competitor or malicious user might use it to try and harm your brand reputation or redirect potential customers away to their own website.Perhaps one day it will be worth paying the price they ask if your app is successful (though the price may go up!). Keep an eye on it in case they choose to let it expire (unlikely). It's also worth remembering premium domain prices are open to some negotiation. The sooner you get your app monetized, the sooner you can buy the .com and stop a competitor getting it!If you're serious about your business and protecting the name, register the trademark in your brand name so that you go after misusers of the name in a court. Registered trademarks can be an effective deterrent, and while you can't just take ownership of a prior registered domain name you may be able to stop commercial use of it especially by a competitor.