Buying a domain name is like setting up a shopfront on the high street — it makes an impression before customers have even stepped inside.
For UK businesses, one of the big decisions boils down to choosing a .com or a .co.uk. They’re both well-established, and the one you choose could shape how people see your brand and who finds you online. You’ll want to strike a balance between reaching the right crowd and building trust from the start.
So, which one to get: a .com or a .co.uk? And can’t you have both? Let’s break it down to help you decide on the right fit for your British business.
What is a domain name, anyway?
To get the basics out of the way, a domain name is a unique address you type into a web browser to visit a website. It’s how people find your business online.
Domain names are typically made up of three main parts: the Subdomain, the Second-Level Domain, and the Top-Level Domain (TLD).
Taking www.123-Reg.co.uk as an example, “www” is the Subdomain, “123-Reg” is the Second-Level Domain, and “.co.uk” is the TLD.
The Second-Level Domain is your first big decision. It’s the unique and memorable bit in the middle, often tied to your brand name, and what many people recognise the most.
The Top-Level Domain (TLD), like “.com” or “.co.uk,” sits at the end. This extension serves to finish off the address, but also gives a clue about a website’s purpose, where it’s located, or the type of business it’s for.
What’s the difference between .com and .co.uk?
.com and .co.uk are two of the most established and recognisable domain names out there.
Both were launched way back in 1985. For reference, that’s the same year Tears for Fears released Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Pushing 40 now, they’ve been ruling the online world pretty much since the start.
.com
The .com domain was originally created for commercial businesses — hence the dot “com” for “commercial.” Yes, it’s surprising how few people know that!
As the internet grew, especially in the early days when the US was leading the charge, the .com domain was a favourite for American businesses. However, .com isn’t tied to the US: it’s a truly global TLD and available to anyone, anywhere.
.com is managed by Verisign, the company responsible for its global admin. As of 2023 there are about 160 million .com domain names registered, making it the most popular TLD by a big margin.
✓ .com domain: A global TLD with massive recognition, boasting over 160 million registrations worldwide. Anyone can buy a .com domain, but it suits businesses with international ambitions, offering credibility and broad appeal. It’s a universal choice for anyone looking to build a website.
.co.uk
As you might expect, the .co.uk domain was primarily introduced for British companies. It’s associated with trusted, local businesses and caters more towards domestic UK customers.
There are about 11 million .co.uk domains according to Nominet, the UK-based organisation that oversees registrations.
Do you need to be a British business to register a .co.uk domain? The short answer to that is no.
The long answer is that you used to… until 1996. Originally, .co.uk domains were restricted to companies with a British presence or connection. Nominet later removed the restrictions, opening .co.uk registrations to all, regardless of location.
✓ .co.uk domain: A trusted choice for UK-based businesses, suggestive of local roots and with a dose of Great British branding. It’s an excellent pick for companies focused on the domestic market, but it’s rightly famous around the world, too.
Why does your domain matter for your business?
You domain name is your brand’s home online. A memorable domain can help your business stand out and makes it easy for customers to find and share your site. You’ll want to get it right because the name you choose can have a big impact on how your business is remembered and found.
Well-known TLDs like .com or .co.uk add a sense of reliability. They build trust, showing (together with correct details and an SSL Certificate) that you’re a credible business. Think of it as an investment — choosing wisely now can save you time and money later.
If you’re running a UK business, the decision between .com and .co.uk can shape how people see your site. Both have their perks, and understanding what suits your goals can make all the difference.
How do I choose the right domain name for my business?
There are a few simple pointers to keep in mind when choosing a domain name. First and foremost: make it closely tied to your brand or business name.
It should also be easy to type — keeping it short and avoiding overly long names is key. After all, you want visitors to be able to type it into their browser, so aim for something catchy and memorable.
After the basics, the decision depends on your audience, your goals, and how you want to position your business. Let’s break it down to help you make the right choice:
☐ Audience focus
Start off by thinking about your audience. A .co.uk domain shows UK customers you’re local and ready to serve them, while a .com domain often feels more international. If you’re targeting global customers, .com might feel like the natural choice. But if you’re focused on the UK, .co.uk helps build trust with UK consumers.
☐ Protecting your brand
Check if your chosen name is available in both .com and .co.uk, and compare the costs. It’s often a smart idea to register both extensions — protecting your brand while keeping things consistent for your customers.
☐ Industry insight
Take a look at what others in your industry are doing. Looking at competitors can help you make a choice that fits your branding.
☐ Future ambitions
Think about where your business is headed. If you’re staying local, a .co.uk domain keeps that British connection strong. But if there’s a chance of international expansion, .com’s universal appeal might make more sense. That said, .co.uk doesn’t have to be for domestic businesses.
See also: Names That Click – How to Choose the Right Domain Name
Choosing a .com domain
Pros
Global Appeal: If you plan to grow your business internationally, .com is the most recognised extension worldwide.
Easy to Remember: Its widespread recognition makes it simple for customers to recall. That’s good for brand visibility and getting repeat visits.
Professional Credibility: Often seen as the “default” domain extension worldwide (and especially in the US) it lends authority and trust to your brand. It’s also versatile — working well across industries and suitable for any type of business.
Cons
Availability: .com domains are highly popular worldwide, which often makes it challenging to find a preferred name available.
Pricing: Due to their demand, .com domains can be pricier compared to alternatives like .co.uk, which can be more budget-friendly for UK-focused businesses. But are .com domains always more expensive? Certainly not! You’ll always find exceptions.
Less local focus: .com’s can lack the local charm that a .co.uk domain offers for UK-based businesses targeting domestic customers.
Choosing a .co.uk domain
Pros
Trusted by UK customers: A .uk domain signals a strong British identity, which can build trust with local customers by showing you’re right here in the UK. It’s ideal for businesses focused on a UK audience, helping you connect with local clients who prefer supporting home-grown brands.
Availability: With fewer businesses competing for .co.uk domains compared to .com, there’s a better chance of finding the exact name you want. This makes it a great choice when it comes to buying a web address for your online brand.
Affordability: .co.uk domains are generally more budget-friendly than .com, making them an attractive option for startups, small businesses, or anyone looking to save on their online setup. True, a lot of alternative TLDs (as we’ll get into later) are even cheaper. But it’s tough to beat .co.uk for its impact, bang per buck.
Cons
Limited global appeal: While a .co.uk domain can work well to show customers that your business is local, that could limit your reach if you’re planning to expand globally.
Availability: Yes, we’ve put this in the pros and cons. Though it’s true that .co.uk domains are often much more easily and cheaply available than .com domains, buyers can still face challenges in finding the exact name they want.
UK-Centric: The .co.uk domain is about as famous as Big Ben and the Beatles these days, but one downside might be a general perception that these websites will only be for British audiences. You can easily counter this, though, by showing off your international focus and making it clear you’re open for business overseas.
123 Reg offers a huge range of .com and .co.uk domain names. Whether you’re targeting a global audience or keeping it local, we’ve got you covered. Explore your options and find the perfect fit.
Do you need to be based in the UK to buy a .co.uk domain?
The .co.uk domain is what’s technically known as a ccTLD or “Country Code Top-Level Domain.” These are domains created for specific countries or regions, such as .de for Germany or .fr for France.
ccTLDs are often tied to specific countries and require you to prove your connection to that country before you can buy. The .us domain, for example, requires that registrants have a bona fide presence in the USA.
The good news is there are no such requirements when it comes to buying a .co.uk address. So, even if you’re not based in the British Isles, you can still buy a .co.uk domain.
Can I buy both a .com and .co.uk domain?
Absolutely! And it’s a smart move and for several reasons.
Having both a .com and .co.uk helps protect your brand by stopping others from using a similar name. It also keeps your branding consistent, making it easier for customers to find you, no matter which domain they type.
If both are available, it’s worth snapping them up. You can set one to redirect to the other, so visitors land on the same site whether they use .com or .co.uk.
The catch? Availability. These domains are in high demand and have been for decades. Simple domain names (think cars.com or music.com) can command higher prices.
Fortunately, for more specific terms (like yourbusiness.co.uk), it’s still pretty easy to find cheap .co.uk and .com domains.
What if the .com or .co.uk domain name I want is taken?
So, your perfect .com or .co.uk has already been snapped up? No need to throw in the towel! There’s a whole world of domains out there waiting to give your brand a unique twist.
The .uk domain name
Introduced in 2014, the .uk domain is a shorter, snappier alternative to .co.uk. Its shorter format means it’s easier to type and remember.
Because .uk launched more recently, there’s much greater availability, making it easier to secure the perfect name for your British brand.
.uk is open to everyone, with no restrictions, and every bit as strong as .co.uk — making for a memorable and affordable web address.
gTLD (“Generic”) domain names
gTLDS are simply those domains that are open for anyone to buy. Strictly speaking the .com domain is a gTLD — given there are no limits on who can register one. However, the term tends to get used more for the “alternative” TLDs out there.
Newer, more niche extensions give businesses the chance to get more creative with their brand identity online. From .abc to .xyz, these suffixes offer something fresh and unique, helping brands stand out in the crowded online space.
Think .studio for your fitness club or .tech for your tech startup. There’s .coffee for cafés, .shop for retail, or .design for creative agencies. If you’re still keen to keep the flavour local, options to consider might include: .london, .scot, .wales, and .cymru.
gTLDs provide a way to come up with a more personalised and memorable web address, which can be especially useful when .com or .co.uk domains are already taken. Pick a combo that’s special and relevant to your niche.
Can choosing .com or .co.uk affect my search engine rank?
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is all about getting your website to appear higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). The choice of TLD can have some affect on SEO — a .co.uk domain might give you a slight edge for searches within the UK, for instance. Google doesn’t favour .com or .co.uk TLDs over others, but their familiarity can encourage clicks and build trust, and that’s part of what SEO is about.
So, what’s better for SEO: .com or .co.uk? In short, the quality of your content and user experience will have a much bigger impact on how well you rank over time.
See also: Local SEO in 10: How Do I Get My Business Found Online?
Wrap Up
The choice between a .com and .co.uk domain comes down to your business goals and audience. If you’re aiming for a global reach, .com might be your best bet. But if you’re focused on a UK market, .co.uk can help you build trust and stand out locally. Consider where your customers are, where you want to grow, and what feels right for your brand.
Ready to find your domain? Whether you go for a .com to reach a global audience or a .co.uk to connect with UK customers, 123 Reg is your trusted domain registrar — with thousands to choose from! Get your idea online today with a name that fits.