When creating your website, one of the biggest hurdles you’ll need to go through is choosing the right domain name.
While conducting a domain name search does help, domain extensions each have different uses, and you need to know which one to pick because it can significantly impact your website.
When given the option to choose between .co.uk and .com, most users will go for the .com. But given certain circumstances, opting for .co.uk might be the better choice.
This article will explain the two most familiar domain extension types and discuss which one you should choose. I’ll also emphasize why choosing the right domain extension is vital for your business.
Let’s get started.
What are Domain Extensions?
Domain extensions also referred to as top-level domains (TLDs), are the last part of a domain name. For example, in businessvans.co.uk, the domain extension is .co.uk.
There are different types of domain names, but the most common choices are generic domain extensions (gTLDs) and country-code domain extensions (ccTLDs).
Generic domain names refer to the most common domain extensions out there. Some examples include .com, .net, .org. Generic domain extensions have different use cases. For example, .org for non-profit organizations, .biz for businesses, .gov for governmental bodies.
On the other hand, country code domain extensions are domain extensions that help identify the location of the website. For example, .uk is for the United Kingdom, and .in is for India. This is especially useful if you want to direct local traffic to your website.
Choosing Between .CO.UK and .COM
From the information above, we can imply that the .co.uk extension informs search engines that you have a website associated explicitly with a UK-based IP address. This helps direct UK search traffic to your website instead of focusing on global traffic.
On the other hand, .com extensions are widely used and recognized by people worldwide. People tend to associate the .com extension with a legitimate business. They usually trust it more compared to a country-code TLD.
To help you make a decision when choosing between .co.uk and .com, here are three other factors you should consider.
Website Purpose
.co.uk extension is handy if you’re setting up a local business. People based in the UK are more likely to visit your website, assuming that they will pay lower shipping costs, have shorter shipping times, and receive more responsive customer service.
.com extensions will attract worldwide traffic. Search engines tend to rank .com websites higher because it’s a trustworthy TLD, and people will usually type .com at the end of a domain name anyway.
So based on the site’s purpose, if you want to focus on the regional market, use the .co.uk extension. And if you’re going to cater to a broader audience, use the .com extension.
Pricing
Different domain name registrars will have different price ranges for each TLD. So make sure to check how much the extensions cost. Usually the .com extension is more affordable compared to .co.uk.
However, if you register through Google, the price for both extensions is the same, at $12/year.
While you usually get your domain name for free when you create a website through a web hosting provider, you’ll still need to renew it annually.
So if we’re basing the decision on pricing, choosing .com is generally better.
Availability
Because .com is the most commonly used domain extension and adds up to more than 366 million domain names, chances are the domain name you want is already taken.
In this case, if you’re based in the UK and can’t use the .com, then opting for the .co.uk will be better. However, keep in mind that you’re likely sacrificing global exposure.
If you want to reach a global audience, try changing the domain name entirely. There are domain name generator and checker tools that can help you generate great alternative ideas.
Why Choosing the Right Domain Name is Important
I’ve provided a comparison between .co.uk and .com. The next question we need to answer is why is it crucial to choose the right domain name?
Here are some reasons:
- It helps you target the right audience.
- Increases your search engine rankings.
- Protect your brand.
- Adds professionalism and credibility to your business.
- Provides good visibility for your brand.
- Enables customers to connect with you quickly.
- Gets more web traffic.
Conclusion
When choosing between .co.uk and .com, most people will go for the .com. However, sometimes a .co.uk TLD can be a better choice.
The .co.uk extension helps direct UK search traffic to your website instead of global traffic. While .com extensions help your website be seen as a legitimate business and help attract people worldwide.
Now that you know the difference between .co.uk and .com, all that’s left to do is choose the right domain extension for your website.
Remember that the correct extension can help you target the right audience, increase your search engine rankings, and add professionalism and credibility to your business.
Good luck!