.org.uk value

scwebsites · 29-09-2011, 10:44:15 AM

I've been developing websites since 2002, and as part of that I have studied and practiced search engine optimisation. One thing I have noticed over the last few years is the growing number of .org.uk domains that are appearing in the top 10 results for lots of competitive searches.

I'm not suggesting we are seeing an algorithm change that in some way gives a boost to .org.uk domains, I think it is simply that more .org.uk domains are being registered and developed, but one thing is for sure, some people building very successful websites on .org.uk domains.

So, apart from the fact that far more .co.uk domains have history, backlinks and earned authority than .org.uk domains, I believe that from an SEO point of view, .co.uk and .org.uk are pretty much even. That is to say that a newly registered .org.uk domain has just as much potential as a newly registered .co.uk, SEO wise.

One major difference between .co.uk and .org.uk is that many people, quite rightly, believe that .org.uk is not really suited to a commercial site, such as a shop or paid service. That's a matter of opinion, and perhaps visitors coming in from search engines are unlikely to worry that there is a shop on a .org.uk, especially if they find what they want on the site.

I do think .org.uk domains are great for information sites, directories, Blogs and free services. These can earn good revenue from direct and contextual advertising.

So I am very surprised that domainers, particularly those who develop domains, do not see far more value in .org.uk domains. I've seen some really great .org.uk names left on the shelf.

Do you guys think .org.uk will grow in value? I've seen a few have sold for big money recently, but still few people see great value in them.

willbon · 29-09-2011, 12:37:17 PM

Being very general, .org.uk values have risen... as have most domain prices - simply due to the supply/demand and lack of FTR domains

Also look at .me.uk's.. they're seeing more interest these days too

Personally I'd prefer to use the .me.uk rather than .org.uk simply because people have not quite come round to the fact that .org.uk is not necessarily for a charity or 'organisation' - They are however more difficult to rank, but do look better as a brand with certain words.....

I'd say the .org.uk extn will become more popular and values increase if the average search engine user accepts that it's use is for commercial purposes too...

When regging a domain and the .org.uk is available I usually register the .org.uk as well... to protect the .co.uk in rankings and make sure some swine doesn't nab it too!

Good luck!

scwebsites · 29-09-2011, 12:53:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willbon

] They are however more difficult to rank, but do look better as a brand with certain words.

I'm not seeing them as more difficult to rank. I certainly don't think Google or Bing rank .org.uk any less than they do .co.uk

There are far more developed .co.uk domains, so there are far more .co.uk in the serps, this may make it look like it is harder to rank a .org.uk

willbon · 29-09-2011, 12:56:19 PM

Sorry I meant the .me.uk's were harder to rank... do you have any experience with the .me.uk's?

newguy · 29-09-2011, 12:57:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scwebsites

I'm not seeing them as more difficult to rank. I certainly don't think Google or Bing rank .org.uk any less than they do .co.uk

There are far more developed .co.uk domains, so there are far more .co.uk in the serps, this may make it look like it is harder to rank a .org.uk

Maybe he means from a perspective of gaining inbound links - rather than .org.uks being treated different by google, which in turn impact ranking. To be honest though, I haven't found that to be the case either, so who knows. I think .org.uks have a lot going for them. When coming at it from a pure SEO angle I'd just as soon have a less significant outlay, as I did with my funny quotes .org.uk site. There's concern about repeat visitors going to the wrong site I guess, some types of sites don't get major repeat visitors anyway.

scwebsites · 29-09-2011, 01:50:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willbon

Sorry I meant the .me.uk's were harder to rank... do you have any experience with the .me.uk's?

I see .me.uk domains as solely for personal website and / or e-mail use. For instance if someone had the name Joe Bloggs, joebloggs.me.uk would be a grea personal blog.

I noticed last night that tourist.me.uk was available and considered registering it because I think it would make a great address for a personal travel blog. Sadly I have two kids and two dogs and blog about popping to Bognor for the weekend may be a bit boring. I wouldn't buy it and use it as a commercial travel site though, but if tourist.org.uk was available I'd snap it up.

I did however once own a very popular .me.uk that had 1000+ uniques a day, so I know that they can do well in the search engines.

scottsmith · 29-09-2011, 01:52:36 PM

I'm all for the value of .org.uk going up as I own a few nice ones like Cameras.org.uk, Recipes.org.uk and Horoscopes.org.uk. As for getting them ranked I will let you know in a few months as I've just started to build a site on www.horoscopes.org.uk

Scott

scwebsites · 29-09-2011, 02:04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsmith

I'm all for the value of .org.uk going up as I own a few nice ones like Cameras.org.uk, Recipes.org.uk and Horoscopes.org.uk. As for getting them ranked I will let you know in a few months as I've just started to build a site on www.horoscopes.org.uk

Scott

Nice looking site too

That's an absolutely ideal domain for .org.uk

scottsmith · 29-09-2011, 02:20:21 PM

Thanks, still a long way to go with Horoscopes.org.uk, will keep you posted.

thecat · 29-09-2011, 02:22:00 PM

My experience is .org.uk rank as well as co.uk, and if a site is purely about seo generated traffic then it's fine. Branding can be another matter though as has been discussed.

29-09-2011, 10:44:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
scwebsites Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Horsham, West Sussex Posts: 333 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (92% / 11)	.org.uk value I've been developing websites since 2002, and as part of that I have studied and practiced search engine optimisation. One thing I have noticed over the last few years is the growing number of .org.uk domains that are appearing in the top 10 results for lots of competitive searches. I'm not suggesting we are seeing an algorithm change that in some way gives a boost to .org.uk domains, I think it is simply that more .org.uk domains are being registered and developed, but one thing is for sure, some people building very successful websites on .org.uk domains. So, apart from the fact that far more .co.uk domains have history, backlinks and earned authority than .org.uk domains, I believe that from an SEO point of view, .co.uk and .org.uk are pretty much even. That is to say that a newly registered .org.uk domain has just as much potential as a newly registered .co.uk, SEO wise. One major difference between .co.uk and .org.uk is that many people, quite rightly, believe that .org.uk is not really suited to a commercial site, such as a shop or paid service. That's a matter of opinion, and perhaps visitors coming in from search engines are unlikely to worry that there is a shop on a .org.uk, especially if they find what they want on the site. I do think .org.uk domains are great for information sites, directories, Blogs and free services. These can earn good revenue from direct and contextual advertising. So I am very surprised that domainers, particularly those who develop domains, do not see far more value in .org.uk domains. I've seen some really great .org.uk names left on the shelf. Do you guys think .org.uk will grow in value? I've seen a few have sold for big money recently, but still few people see great value in them.

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29-09-2011, 12:37:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
willbon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 277 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 20)	Being very general, .org.uk values have risen... as have most domain prices - simply due to the supply/demand and lack of FTR domains Also look at .me.uk's.. they're seeing more interest these days too Personally I'd prefer to use the .me.uk rather than .org.uk simply because people have not quite come round to the fact that .org.uk is not necessarily for a charity or 'organisation' - They are however more difficult to rank, but do look better as a brand with certain words..... I'd say the .org.uk extn will become more popular and values increase if the average search engine user accepts that it's use is for commercial purposes too... When regging a domain and the .org.uk is available I usually register the .org.uk as well... to protect the .co.uk in rankings and make sure some swine doesn't nab it too! Good luck!

29-09-2011, 12:56:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
willbon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Manchester Posts: 277 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 20)	Sorry I meant the .me.uk's were harder to rank... do you have any experience with the .me.uk's?

29-09-2011, 01:52:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
scottsmith Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 552 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 30)	I'm all for the value of .org.uk going up as I own a few nice ones like Cameras.org.uk, Recipes.org.uk and Horoscopes.org.uk. As for getting them ranked I will let you know in a few months as I've just started to build a site on www.horoscopes.org.uk Scott

29-09-2011, 02:20:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
scottsmith Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 552 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 30)	Thanks, still a long way to go with Horoscopes.org.uk, will keep you posted.

29-09-2011, 02:22:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
thecat Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 181 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 4)	My experience is .org.uk rank as well as co.uk, and if a site is purely about seo generated traffic then it's fine. Branding can be another matter though as has been discussed.