Why a .co.uk instead of a .com?

[DomainDelight]

I recently heard that many of .co.uk domain owners are switching to their equivalent .com names. I'd like to hear some opinions of .co.uk owners why a .co.uk domain has more value for them compared to a .com? Is it the local SEO value, trustworthy image or something else?

 

[AssetDomains]

A lot depends on the target audience if its focused to the uk market then research has shown customers prefer .co.uk

http://registrars.nominet.org.uk/marketing-tools-and-events/co-uk-marketing

There was a little crisis of confidence when nominet first reveled there plans to release direct.uk the first proposal was hugely unfair to to current .co.uk holders. The plan has now been hugely revised to a point were the majority of us are now happy with the proposals.

 

[AssetDomains]

Lots of background here

http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/uk-domain-name-consultations.html

 

[Edwin]

I recently heard that many of .co.uk domain owners are switching to their equivalent .com names. I'd like to hear some opinions of .co.uk owners why a .co.uk domain has more value for them compared to a .com? Is it the local SEO value, trustworthy image or something else?

How many is "many"? A hundred? A thousand? More?

There are 9,500,000 .co.uk domains registered. I've seen no evidence at all that a meaningful fraction of their owners are switching to .com.

 

[Edwin]

I recently heard that many of .co.uk domain owners are switching to their equivalent .com names. I'd like to hear some opinions of .co.uk owners why a .co.uk domain has more value for them compared to a .com? Is it the local SEO value, trustworthy image or something else?

http://www.webmastering.co.uk/domain-names/co-uk-uks-first-giga-brand/

 

[chrisduggan]

Many people will associate a .com with America. Unless you are branding globally, smaller businesses will often choose to market a .uk web address.

Some more reading here,
http://db.nominet.org.uk/node/preference-by-activity/

 

[websaway]

I recently heard that many of .co.uk domain owners are switching to their equivalent .com names. I'd like to hear some opinions of .co.uk owners why a .co.uk domain has more value for them compared to a .com? Is it the local SEO value, trustworthy image or something else?

I think this idea stemmed from the uncertainty that existed during the consultation period of .uk the landscape has now changed somewhat.

 

[aZooZa]

If you're looking for a UK-based service or product on Google, ask yourself if you would tend to click on a .com or a .uk link. You've then answered your own question!

 

[anthony]

I recently heard that many of .co.uk domain owners are switching to their equivalent .com names...

I rather doubt that many will find the .com available anyway, even in non-generic cases.

 

[namealot]

Its a case of who changes, what indicators you use,how you see sites e.g. sales, goods, services or news, information etc if sales is your indicator then a relatively small amount of 500 or less changing would effect the market as they account for 51 % of uk e-commerce but do users notice com or a co.uk I’d doubt many do? Also remember 9 million regs but only 4.5 million private sector businesses in the uk ???

 

[philiporchard]

I'm launching a website in 3 weeks time. It will be heavily marketed with a 20,000 mailshot, email marketing, press releases etc...

I own the .co.uk and .com.

Because of the uncertainty with .co.uk I went with putting the site on the .com and will direct the .co.uk to it.

I don't think .com is necessarily thought of as purely American. Probably an even split between use of .co.uk and .com for top uk brands. For example, seems to be an even split for supermarkets between .com and .co.uk.

For seo purposes though , I do think .co.uk wins hands down.

 

[murph]

For me, if my visitor would feel a benefit from a UK based service, then deffo .co.uk... Otherwise .com all the way (if available to acquire with robbing a bank lol)