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Which Domain Extension Should You Use: .COM or .CO?


Picking the right domain name for your business is crucial. It identifies your business, builds brand awareness, adds credibility, makes your business more accessible, and helps attract customers. However, the domain name and domain extension you came up with may have already been taken. So, instead of yourbusinessname.com, you end up with yourbusinessname.co.

Aside from having the right domain name, the right domain extension can help with brand positioning, let your audience know what your business is about, and complement your marketing strategy. For example, yourbusinessname.store or yourbusinessname.tech lets your audience know you’re a business or in the tech industry.

But when it comes to .co and .com, does choosing one over the other matter. How can a .co or .com domain extension potentially affect your business?
 

The .CO vs. .COM Debate: Which One Should You Get for Your Business?

The most popular domain extension is .com, the most trusted TLD, followed by .co. It’s familiar and people almost always assume that a particular website has a .com extension. Because .com is a trusted TLD, it can make businesses appear more credible and more likely to get clicks and traffic.

Furthermore, a domain with a .com extension could help you get better search results because it more likely carries more domain authority than other extensions. Plus, it’s more versatile and can be used by businesses across various industries.

However, because of .com’s immense popularity, getting a domain with this extension can be challenging and costly. Your chosen domain may already be registered by another person. Some people invest in domain names, purchasing them at a low price and selling them later on at a higher price.

If you want to get a domain that’s already been registered under a different person, then you might have to pay a hefty sum to acquire it from the current owner.

If you can’t get your desired domain, with a .com extension, then .co is a good alternative.

While it was originally designated as Colombia’s country code (ccTLD) in 1999, it has become a popular choice for various websites. While it’s not as memorable as .com, .co is still one of the most trusted TLDs.

Even if you don’t get a .com extension, you can still build a good website by registering a .co. One of .co’s advantages is it’s an acronym for “company.” People understand that .co stands for company, so going with a .co extension can make sense if you’re running a business.

The extension .co is shorter and helps add freshness to domain names. Many startups and innovative companies, such as VSCO and Ello, use .co.

Additionally, .co is used in country-code domain extensions, such as .co.uk and .co.jp, and .co helps them gain a wider global reach. And if you’re a business based in Colombia, then picking .co makes a lot of sense.

The problem with .co is that it can redirect traffic to a .com site using your domain name. People can make mistakes when typing a web address and, because of habit, they might write .com instead of .co when trying to visit your site.

It’s also worth noting that .co can be pricier than .com. The higher price point is used as a countermeasure to prevent domain squatters from registering domain names that they don’t intend to use.
 

Can TLDs Affect SEO?

One common misconception is that a .co extension can adversely affect your SEO. You can still rank well with a .co domain, provided that you produce high-quality content, have a good website design, and have a responsive and user-friendly interface.

According to Google Domains, using a new domain extension won’t impact your search presence.

However, some .com domains can still rank higher on Google than newer sites or sites that use other domain extensions. This is because the search engine prefers aged or established brands, which are websites that consistently deliver high-quality content and have good technical uptime.

Your choice of TLD won’t necessarily affect your search rankings. What you want to focus on is your domain name. You want a domain name that’s short, strong, simple, and memorable.
 

Should I Opt for a .COM TLD?

If you can get the .com extension, then get it, but if it’s unavailable, then you might want to consider using a .co extension instead.

While a .com domain is generic and is thus more preferred over other extensions, a .co domain is still a perfectly good choice for your business. The bottom line is that your domain name matters more than your domain extension. Making sure your domain name is relevant to your brand and memorable can help your website succeed, regardless of the extension you go with.

You might also want to consider purchasing different versions of your domain name, along with different TLDs like .io, .net, and .info. This way, you can redirect these versions to your primary domain to ensure you’re not losing traffic.
 

Key Considerations When Choosing Between .CO and .COM

Choosing between .co and .com for your business can be a taxing endeavor. Here are some key considerations to think about when choosing the right extension for your business:

  • The extension’s availability. Given that the.com extension is more popular, you might have difficulty finding a domain name with a .com extension. If you can acquire a .com domain or discover a potential domain with this extension, it’s a good idea to purchase it if you have the budget. Of course, a .co extension is still a viable option that’s likely to be more accessible.

  • Its price. Prices for these extensions can vary greatly. As such, you’ll want to compare prices from different providers. Your domain name can also play a role in pricing. In some cases, a .com domain might be more affordable compared to a .co one.

  • Your location. Your location can also determine which extension you’ll ultimately go with. If you’re doing business in Colombia, go with a .co domain. A .com domain is still a good option, but if you want people to find you in your location, you might want to consider using a ccTLD. A web address for rental service in Nagoya, like rentalservice.co.jp, is likely to appear in the search results of someone looking for that particular service in that location.

  • Your brand. How can your extension play a strategic role in your branding and marketing efforts? A .com domain is a good option if you want people to easily recognize and trust your brand. It’s also more memorable than .co, but can it help your branding efforts? The same question can also be asked if you consider getting a .co domain. You also have to think about how you want your audience to perceive your brand. A .co extension can help give your brand a more modern edge.

Top TLD Alternatives for Businesses

You can go with alternative TLDs if your domain name is unavailable in both .com and .co extensions. Here are some alternatives that are worth considering:

  •  .net. This extension can be a good choice for businesses offering network-based technologies.

  • .org. The .org extension was originally intended for nonprofit organizations. Since the restriction has been lifted, it’s now available for almost everyone. However, remember that using a .org extension might tell visitors that you’re running a non-commercial company.

  • .biz. This TLD is a good alternative for businesses, particularly those in the eCommerce industry.

Additionally, you’ll want to consider how your chosen TLD is relevant to your brand and how it can help your web address become more memorable. If you can’t find a .com or .co domain, you can see it as an opportunity to find new or alternative TLDs that can help identify your brand and tell your audience what you can offer.
 

Conclusion 

Selecting the ideal domain extension for your business, whether you choose to register a .com domain or to register a .co domain, is a pivotal step in defining your online presence. A .com domain is universally recognized, enhancing credibility and search engine visibility, while a .co domain offers a contemporary, innovative edge, especially beneficial when .com options are scarce or overly expensive. Your decision should resonate with your brand’s essence and aid its digital journey. Nominus is here to guide you in these choices, ensuring that your selection, whether a .com or a .co domain, perfectly aligns with your business identity and aspirations. Remember, the right domain, whether .com or .co, transcends being just a URL – it reflects your brand's narrative and is a key tool for its growth.