.com OR .co.uk

JKW · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 09:53 AM

Hi
I have had a look around this topic but in a bit of a dilema as to which one to go with. I own both extentions and have just formed a Ltd company which is UK based. Part of my business is consultancy, training, project management to basically help people work more effectively and efficiently in the workplace partly with systems that they use such as Outlook, Word etc. Most of my work would be in the UK but as I would like a Blog and possibly a Forum relating to some of the topics around my business in theory they could be accessible across the globe which is why I am debating which one to go with.
Any feedback would be most welcome. Thanks
JKW

Greg1 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 10:33 AM

Hi JKW,

Since you are targeting the UK use the .co.uk for your primary domain name. This will help you with local searches. The .co.uk extension will be picked up in www searches and the emphasis will be in the UK.

You could forward the dot com name to your website or set it up as a separate URL for your blog, linking between the blog and website.

Just a couple of ideas,

meloncholy · #3 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 10:59 AM

I don't have a good answer to this I'm afraid, but I can give you a few thoughts.

- A .co.uk domain shows explicitly that you are UK-based, which is where you are trying to sell stuff (in preference to offering free content). OTOH many UK-based businesses use .com addresses, and I'm sure you would say something like "Outlook and Word training in Buckinghamshire, UK" on the page too.

- While a UK domain may be a little strange for overseas visitors, if your content's good they'll read it. Recently there has been quite a profusion of 'odd' regional domains, such as bit.ly, anything.tv and (going back a bit further) del.icio.us.

- Google uses regional domains to order results. This means a .co.uk address is likely to show up higher in a UK search and lower in (say) a US search. It's possible to set the location for .coms in Google's Webmaster Tools, so a regional .com is ranked the same as a .co.uk. [Edit: Oops. Too slow posting. Greg has already said this.]

I guess what I'm saying, in a rather roundabout way

, is that if your content's good, you've stressed where you're based in the copy and you've done a bit of SEO then it really shouldn't matter which you choose. On balance, I think I'd go for the .com and redirect the .co.uk.

Anyone know more about this?

stephen186 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 12:33 PM

I would have taken .co.uk if my main target is UK but if you are targeting the whole world .com is a better option...

seopeter · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 01:51 AM

In my case, i will register both extensions and run web site on .CO.Uk domain because google.co.uk is famous in UK and it ranks .co.uk extension very well

Donk · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2009, 02:05 AM

I don't think it makes a lot of difference many UK companies eg BBC, Next, Currys, Argos use the co uk others itv,compare etc use the com.

I personally would use the co uk domain for the consultancy website and the com for a forum or blog and link the two sites.

Bob

askthetrainer · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKW

Hi
I have had a look around this topic but in a bit of a dilema as to which one to go with. I own both extentions and have just formed a Ltd company which is UK based. Part of my business is consultancy, training, project management to basically help people work more effectively and efficiently in the workplace partly with systems that they use such as Outlook, Word etc. Most of my work would be in the UK but as I would like a Blog and possibly a Forum relating to some of the topics around my business in theory they could be accessible across the globe which is why I am debating which one to go with.
Any feedback would be most welcome. Thanks
JKW

Go with the dot com always

Have the 'lesser' domains forward to your dot com...

Greg1 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2009, 06:42 AM

Hi askthetrainer,

Quote:

Go with the dot com always

99% of the time I would agree with this, however from what I have learned from the owners of websites in the UK that are trying to capture local markets the .co.uk seams to work better for them.

ed7up · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 11:04 AM

Hello,

Having operated with both, you'll find a diverse mix of traffic regardless - a .co.uk domain will perform better in regional searches (UK visitors especially are very picky - the select UK only option at Google is there for a reason!).

If you're considering .co.uk, nab the .com as well if you can and redirect it. Remember you can 'tell' Google you're an UK site in Google Webmaster Tools (only available for non-region specific domains). Also note that the backlink-architecture will effect local rankings (i.e. if you have 90% of your links from .co.uk/org.uk domains - Google will piece two and two together).

weblover50 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-04-2009, 05:12 AM

going on with .com is always best, may be your present target is UK , may be in future you may offer your services globally, then you will have an advantage..

shakir · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:06 AM

I always going for .com domain.. very simple reason if type only the name on IE and press CTRL+ Enter then open domainname .com not .com.uk... this is for typing . But as a SEO all domains are same SE treating all domains in same weight

Jaco0639 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:18 AM

Although I'm a newbie I've been doing some research on this myself. The majority seem to go for .com and as suggested earlier in this thread the angle of your business would determine whether you go for for just a .com only or a .com with a .co.uk redirection.

For me, I intend to sell eBooks so a .com domain with a .co.uk redirection to cover both bases seems the way to go.

jay144 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:22 PM

.com is world wide but since you are in the UK it is difficult to say. I like what Jaco0639 said you could go for the .com with the .co.uk direction. But other Uk companies that I have seen use .com.

vipdistinct · #14 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 01:05 AM

I go with the .co.uk reason being is that you are going to be better off in Google within your local niche if you have that extension. I don't think the .co.uk will posse a problem with your blog, etc.

UTOPIA · #15 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009, 09:07 AM

I would opt for the .co.uk as it may help for local search results.

WB Sponsors