Popular UK domain extensions?? - Webmaster Forums UK SEO SEM Webmaster Community Forum

olimits7 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 06:35 PM

Hello,

I was just curious what are some of the popular UK domain extensions??

I want to add my domain to a UK extension, but I don't know which are the most popular in the UK. I tried regisitering 'co.uk' but that extension is already taking.

My website is a reseller of products, so I was thinking of trying 'uk.net' or 'uk.com'. Or I guess I can also just try using a UK subdomain, like 'uk.domain.com'.

Thanks,

olimits7

temi · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 06:44 PM

THE UK domain extension is .co.uk , if that is gone, you may try .uk.com , that is also popular but significantly more expensive. uk.net is not a great domain name to buy.

Good luck.

olimits7 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 07:01 PM

Thank you for your quick reply!!

What do you think about using a UK subdomain (uk.domain.com)? Are those popular in the UK, do a lot of websites in the UK use that format?

Thanks again,

olimits7

smeagain · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:01 PM

.co.uk is the one to have.
All others are compromises and don't even reach second choice in my book. One important aspect of a domain name is memorableness for typing into the address bar.

The automatic question that comes to mind with 90%+ of UK surfers is "Was it .co.uk or .com"

It is well worth compromising on the ideal name that is more than likely available on one of the more obscure suffixes. Just use some creative thinking and a bit of lexibility to come up with an acceptable .co.uk it's worth it in the long run.

temi · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:32 PM

I will agree with smeagain's suggestion that you may want to compromise on the ideal name, do some creative thinking to get a domain name with .co.uk extension but if you MUST have that particular name you want and cannot get the .co.uk, .uk.com is the next best thing, failing that, any extension will do but it will not have a strong uk association .co.uk or .uk.com will give you.
The uk.domain.com you asked does not have any UK association, its the extension that give the association rather than having "uk" about 2 dots away from the domain extension.

olimits7 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:47 PM

Yes, I guess I can register ".uk.com" for now until the ".co.uk" becomes available one day.

I just found this website in the UK that isn't listed with ".co.uk". It's called "play.com"; is this a popular site in the UK? It's strange that they wouldn't use the ".co.uk" extension.

olimits7

temi · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:50 PM

some UK companies us .com domain extension and then forward their .co.uk to the .com, however MOST companies that wants to be instant hits with UK users uses .co.uk .

bochgoch · #8 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:59 PM

I run several sites on .org.uk extensions that can work for company or informational sites

xhan · #9 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 10:32 PM

I tend to prefer .x.uk domain endings - .uk.com looks weird to me!

smeagain · #10 (**permalink**) 01-27-2008, 12:27 AM

If you "MUST" have your first choice and nothing else, I would still hesitate (and hesitate again) before going to "firstchoice.uk.com" (or any other fringe suffix) for the reason that you will very likely loose a significant number of type-ins. This is especially harmful if "firstchoice.co.uk" is either a competitor or other such similar themed site.

I repeat what I said above:

Quote:

The automatic question that comes to mind with 90%+ of UK surfers is "Was it .co.uk or .com"

Be dot something else at your peril.