Domain Extension Guide

.com vs .co.uk

The ultimate guide to choosing between .com and .co.uk domains for UK businesses. Compare pricing, trust factors, SEO benefits, and target audience reach.

Quick Decision Guide

Choose .com if:

  • • You plan to target international markets
  • • You want maximum global recognition
  • • Your business serves customers worldwide
  • • You're in tech or want to appear global

Choose .co.uk if:

  • • Your target market is primarily UK
  • • You want to emphasise local trust
  • • You offer UK-specific services
  • • Cost-effectiveness is important

Pricing Comparison at namepick.co

Global Standard
.com Domain

World's Most Popular

Registration£9.99/year
Renewal£14.99/year
Transfer£14.99/year
Global RecognitionHighest
AvailabilityLimited
UK Recommended
.co.uk Domain

UK's Trusted Choice

Registration£7.99/year
Renewal£11.99/year
Transfer£11.99/year
UK Trust FactorHighest
AvailabilityBetter

Save £2 per year by choosing .co.uk over .com

Detailed Feature Comparison

Factor.com.co.uk
Global Recognition
Excellent
Good
UK Trust Factor
Good
Excellent
SEO for UK SearchesStrongExcellent
International AppealExcellentLimited
Domain AvailabilityLimitedMuch Better
Annual Cost£9.99£7.99
Email CredibilityExcellentVery Good
Registration RequirementsNoneUK Address

Perfect Use Cases for Each Extension

.com is Perfect For:
  • SaaS Companies:

    Software businesses targeting global markets

  • E-commerce Stores:

    Online retailers selling internationally

  • Tech Startups:

    Companies wanting global credibility

  • Established Brands:

    Businesses with international presence

.co.uk is Perfect For:
  • Local Businesses:

    Restaurants, shops, service providers

  • Professional Services:

    Solicitors, accountants, consultants

  • UK-Only E-commerce:

    Stores serving only UK customers

  • Cost-Conscious Startups:

    New businesses watching budgets

SEO Impact: What You Need to Know

The Truth About Domain Extensions and SEO

While Google has stated that domain extensions don't directly impact rankings, there are indirect benefits that can help your SEO performance.

.com SEO Benefits:

  • • Higher click-through rates due to familiarity
  • • Better memorability leading to direct traffic
  • • More likely to be linked to and shared
  • • Global trust signals

.co.uk SEO Benefits:

  • • Geographic relevance for UK searches
  • • Higher local trust leading to better engagement
  • • Preferred by UK users for local services
  • • Better for local SEO and Google My Business

Bottom Line: Choose the extension that best matches your target audience. Content quality and user experience matter far more than the domain extension.

Our Recommendation

For Most UK Businesses: Start with .co.uk

Unless you have specific international ambitions from day one, .co.uk offers the best value for UK businesses. You can always register the .com later as you grow.

Cost Effective

Save money as you grow

Local Trust

UK customers prefer it

Upgrade Path

Add .com when ready

Ready to Choose Your Perfect Domain?

Start with the right extension for your business goals

Free WHOIS privacy • UK support • Competitive pricing