The .com or the .co.uk for UK Market?

Alien · 28-07-2011, 11:06:03 AM

So, I know this is an old question

, but I have the .com and the .co.uk both reg'd for a site that I'm currently developing.

It's being aimed at the UK market, do I go with the .co.uk and park the .com over the top of it (redirects then), or actively use the .com?

Thanks!

PS: Poll attached for quicky opinions!

springer · 28-07-2011, 11:09:35 AM

.co.uk

From Edwin's site:

80% of UK users would choose a .uk website over a .com website in the search results

77% of UK consumers prefer to shop at a .uk website over a .com website

Source: Nominet Domain Name Industry Report 2010

Edwin · 28-07-2011, 11:12:27 AM

I'm only quoting Nominet. The research team they commissioned deserves the real credit

That said, the figures have gone up just about every year and the .co.uk is at a record trust ratio vs .com in their latest Industry Report.

I guess every time somebody hits a .com site only to find it's irrelevant, the company doesn't ship to the UK, etc., their confidence level in .com drops a smidge*. And it's all cumulative...

*technical term; 1 smidge = 2 tads = 4.5 bitty bits

Alien · 28-07-2011, 11:14:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer

.co.uk

From Edwin's site:

80% of UK users would choose a .uk website over a .com website in the search results

77% of UK consumers prefer to shop at a .uk website over a .com website

Source: Nominet Domain Name Industry Report 2010

Interesting, thanks!

Edwin · 28-07-2011, 11:22:42 AM

I should add a qualifier to the above: if you are planning to serve customers from all over the world AND you expect to get a significant proportion of your business from outside the UK, THEN (and only then) you would be better off with .com.

If you ship (or offer your service) worldwide but most of your customers will be UK-based then you're going to be better off with .co.uk.

If your customers are going to be UK only (for whatever reason) then it's .co.uk all the way!

(p.s. if the domain name contains a distinctively British English spelling of something, then go for the .co.uk regardless of any of the above)

doodlebug · 28-07-2011, 11:24:58 AM

.com makes you think dollars rather than pounds so yes .co.uk for me thanks

Alien · 28-07-2011, 11:25:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwin

I'm only quoting Nominet. The research team they commissioned deserves the real credit

Couldn't find in the report though how many users/visitors were surveyed? Was it a few or thousands?

Perhaps I missed that, as only scanned it.

julian · 28-07-2011, 12:00:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwin

I should add a qualifier to the above: if you are planning to serve customers from all over the world AND you expect to get a significant proportion of your business from outside the UK, THEN (and only then) you would be better off with .com.

Come on Edwin, you and I both know that that's just complete nonsense...

Edwin · 28-07-2011, 12:14:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by julian

Come on Edwin, you and I both know that that's just complete nonsense...

I genuinely have no idea what you mean. If you're UK based and serving the UK, then .co.uk is THE best extension. End of.

foz · 28-07-2011, 12:18:22 PM

When I see .com I think yank immediately, so the notion that .com is synonymous with international doesn't ring true. If you are truly an international entity geo targeting each ccTLD domain name to your audience is the way to go.

View Poll Results: Do I use the co.uk or the .com to aim at a UK market?
The .co.uk of course	30	85.71%
Don't be daft, the .com has it!	5	14.29%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

28-07-2011, 11:06:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Alien Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alienesque City Posts: 4,587 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 54)	The .com or the .co.uk for UK Market? So, I know this is an old question , but I have the .com and the .co.uk both reg'd for a site that I'm currently developing. It's being aimed at the UK market, do I go with the .co.uk and park the .com over the top of it (redirects then), or actively use the .com? Thanks! PS: Poll attached for quicky opinions! __________________ UK Content Writing from Wait.co.uk \| Follow me@Twitter! New: Managed Newsletter Service \| Order your eBook \| Need a Press Release? \| The Wait Blog \| Content Writing - Insights & More!

28-07-2011, 11:12:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Edwin Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 4,165 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 46)	I'm only quoting Nominet. The research team they commissioned deserves the real credit That said, the figures have gone up just about every year and the .co.uk is at a record trust ratio vs .com in their latest Industry Report. I guess every time somebody hits a .com site only to find it's irrelevant, the company doesn't ship to the UK, etc., their confidence level in .com drops a smidge. And it's all cumulative... technical term; 1 smidge = 2 tads = 4.5 bitty bits __________________ Memorable Domains Ltd - Over 7,000 descriptive, generic .co.uk domains for sale Please note: All sale prices over a week old are automatically invalid. No exceptions. Thanks!

28-07-2011, 11:22:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Edwin Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 4,165 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 46)	I should add a qualifier to the above: if you are planning to serve customers from all over the world AND you expect to get a significant proportion of your business from outside the UK, THEN (and only then) you would be better off with .com. If you ship (or offer your service) worldwide but most of your customers will be UK-based then you're going to be better off with .co.uk. If your customers are going to be UK only (for whatever reason) then it's .co.uk all the way! (p.s. if the domain name contains a distinctively British English spelling of something, then go for the .co.uk regardless of any of the above) __________________ Memorable Domains Ltd - Over 7,000 descriptive, generic .co.uk domains for sale Please note: All sale prices over a week old are automatically invalid. No exceptions. Thanks!

28-07-2011, 11:24:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
doodlebug Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: This time next year we'll be millionaires ! Posts: 4,652 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 32)	.com makes you think dollars rather than pounds so yes .co.uk for me thanks __________________ No links for me thanks !

28-07-2011, 11:09:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
springer Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 453 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 14)	.co.uk From Edwin's site: 80% of UK users would choose a .uk website over a .com website in the search results 77% of UK consumers prefer to shop at a .uk website over a .com website Source: Nominet Domain Name Industry Report 2010

28-07-2011, 12:18:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
foz Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NZ Posts: 1,581 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 20)	When I see .com I think yank immediately, so the notion that .com is synonymous with international doesn't ring true. If you are truly an international entity geo targeting each ccTLD domain name to your audience is the way to go.

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