.co.uk or .com? Which domain suffix is best for your business?

Before you start the web design and development process, you need a domain name. The best domain names are short, snappy and memorable. They tell users something about your brand. And they make a good first impression.

An important part of your domain name is the suffix — the bit at the end, usually after the last dot.

This part of your domain name can also be called an extension or a top level domain (TLD). And in the United Kingdom, the .co.uk and .com suffixes are the most popular.

But should you choose .co.uk or .com for your business website? What is the difference between the two? And what can you do if neither extension is available?

We answer all these questions and more below.

What does .co.uk mean?

.co.uk is a domain extension that forms part of your web address. In .co.uk, the co stands for commercial and the uk stands for United Kingdom.

This is a country-code top level domain (ccTLD) extension. It’s most often used by companies based in the UK or those who want to attract the UK market.

What does .com mean?

.com is a domain extension that comes at the end of your domain name. It’s short for commercial and it’s the most commonly used domain name extension.

Because it’s a generic top level domain (TLD) there are no geographic restrictions. The .com suffix can be used by businesses all over the world.

What’s the difference between .co.uk and .com?

.co.uk and .com are both domain name extensions. And they both indicate that you’re a company. The big difference between .co.uk and .com comes down to location.

.com websites are for global websites and global companies. Any business anywhere in the world can use .com at the end of their domain name.

.co.uk websites are associated with UK-based companies. Any business in any location can use a .co.uk suffix — they don’t have to be based in the UK. But this domain is most useful for companies who are looking to attract a UK audience.

.co.uk or .com?

So how do these two domain extensions measure up? Should you choose a .co.uk or .com suffix for your business domain name?

Here are a few things to consider.

Credibility

When looking at com vs co.uk, it’s worth stating that both domain extensions are totally, 100% legitimate and credible.

However, .com is the most well-known domain extension. As such, some web users may see the domain (and the associated company) as more credible than those with other, lesser-known suffixes.

Availability

.com is the most popular domain name extension. 45% of all websites across the world use it. But because you can’t have the same domain name as anyone else, this means availability is sometimes a problem.

You may find it easier to find and buy a .co.uk domain name because more of them are still available.

Price

.co.uk domains tend to be cheaper than .com domains. So if budget is a priority, a .co.uk domain extension is the way to go.

When comparing the price of domain names, be sure to check the second year price. Some domain name providers offer a cheap first year price but then put fees up for following years.

Target market

A .com domain is a great choice if you want to appeal to a global audience (or think you may expand your business globally in future).

However, a co.uk domain name can signal to web visitors that you’re a UK-based business.

This implies lower shipping costs and a shorter shipping time than they might get with an international business. Returns are also likely to be easier.

A .co.uk extension can also reassure customers that they can contact you easily. They don’t have to worry about time zones, language difficulties or high call costs.

For UK-based businesses, a .co.uk suffix can help you to attract more customers.

Memorability

Because .com is seen as the domain extension default, customers trying to remember and type your domain name are more likely to try the .com suffix first.

If they’re unsuccessful, they’ll probably try .co.uk second. But you could be adding extra friction for your customers if they tend to hear about your website via word of mouth.

Co.uk vs .uk

.co.uk and .com have long been the biggest domain suffix players for UK websites and business owners. But there’s a (relatively) new kid on the block — the .uk extension.

This extension was launched to increase options for UK domain registration.

But how do .co.uk and .uk compare?

When we look at .co.uk vs .uk there are some similarities. Both extensions are country-code top level domains. They’re also associated with businesses in the UK.

.uk has some benefits. It’s short and snappy, making .co.uk seem a little clunky. It has a contemporary feel. And it follows the format of most other ccTLDs around the world.

.co.uk, on the other hand, is familiar, trusted and traditional. That may suit your brand better than a punchy .uk extension.

Should you register more than one domain suffix?

You can choose to register more than one domain suffix.

For example, if they’re available, you could buy .co.uk, .uk and .com extensions for your domain name. Then, set up redirects from all domains to your primary site.

This makes it easier for users to find you online. And it prevents another site from competing with you in search engine result pages (SERPs).

For brands with big ambitions, registering more than one domain suffix is a wise choice. You don’t want competitors coming along, trying to steal your traffic and customers.

However, buying up multiple domain extensions is costly. So, for a small business website, it may be an expense that you simply can’t afford right now.

What should you do if .co.uk, .uk and .com aren’t available?

If .co.uk, .uk and .com domain extensions aren’t available, you have two choices. Pick another domain suffix. Or pick another domain name.

Pick another domain suffix

There are lots of domain suffixes to choose from. But tread carefully.

Website users see .com and .co.uk extensions as reliable and trustworthy. And they may be wary of interacting with a site that has an unusual or unfamiliar TLD.

Here are a few domain extension alternatives.

Generic top level domains (TLDs):

• .ltd.uk (if you’re a limited company)
• .org
• .net

There are also country-code top level domains (ccTLDs). These domain extensions used to be reserved for websites based in a particular country. But they’re now used, perfectly legally, by companies who want to use a domain extension to enhance their website branding.

Descriptive generic TLDs:

• .de
• .io
• .sp

Pick another domain name

If you have your heart set on one of the most popular extensions, then you might need to change your domain name.

Imagine you have a floristry business called Daisy Chain. But both daisychain.com and daisychain.co.uk are unavailable.

You could mix things up by choosing a domain name like:

• daisychainflorist
• daisychainflowers
• flowersbydaisychain
• daisy-chain-manchester

Then, check whether these domains are available with your preferred extension.

Just try to avoid domain names that are too long. And remember that domain names with punctuation or numbers can be confusing for users.

Want some help picking the right domain name?

We hope this post has helped you to understand the difference between .co.uk and .com. And decide whether your business needs a .co.uk or .com domain extension — or both.

But if you need a little extra advice, the Radical agency team is always happy to help.

For tips on choosing a domain name or getting started with a web design and development project, get in touch today.