.co.uk vs .com – Which Domain Extension Should You Choose for Your Business?

Buying a domain sounds simple — until you actually sit down to do it.

One of my local clients, a roofing company in Kent, recently asked:

“Should we go for .co.uk or .com — or something else entirely?”

It’s a great question, and one I hear a lot from businesses launching (or relaunching) their website.

Your domain name is more than just an address — it’s part of your brand, your first impression, and even your SEO strategy. So, let’s break down what actually matters when choosing a domain extension, and how to get it right.

What Is a Domain Extension?

The domain extension — also called a Top-Level Domain (TLD) — is the bit at the end of your web address.

For example:

In kentroofing.co.uk, the extension is .co.uk

In bestbuilder.com, it’s .com

There are hundreds of options to choose from now, ranging from the traditional to the niche — everything from .org, .net, and .co to newer ones like .london, .studio, or .design.

But when it comes to running a UK business, .co.uk vs .com is still the big decision — and choosing the right one depends on who you’re serving and how you want to be seen.

.co.uk vs .com – Which One Is Right for You?

✅ Choose .co.uk if:

You’re a UK-based business serving UK customers

You want to build trust locally

Your work is tied to a specific region (like a tradesperson, tutor, or café)

We always recommend .co.uk for businesses trading locally or solely within the UK — it instantly shows people where you're based and gives a sense of familiarity.

🌍 Choose .com if:

You plan to serve international customers

You want your brand to feel more global

Your .co.uk domain isn’t available, but you still want a clean and professional option

If you’re a UK business with an eye on global reach, securing both .co.uk and .com is a smart move. Use one as your main domain and redirect the other to protect your brand.

What About Other Extensions?

You’ve probably seen newer domain extensions popping up — .london, .online, .store, .build — they look cool, but do they actually work?

Here’s the short answer:

Yes, they can — if your SEO is done right.

Real-World Example: A .london Site That Ranks

One of our clients, DTA Tuning London, chose the domain dtatuning.london — a bold move away from the usual .com or .co.uk.

And guess what?

They now rank in Google for “Engine Performance Tuning London” — a competitive search term — because their site is fast, well-written, and SEO-optimised for local search.

This proves that niche TLDs like .london can rank just as well as traditional domains — as long as the site structure, content, and on-page SEO are all in place.

That said, if you're a local service business relying on printed flyers, van signage, or word-of-mouth referrals, sticking to a .co.uk often makes life easier for your customers.

Other Extensions – Quick Overview

Extension	Best For	Things to Know
.net	Tech or networking businesses	Feels like a fallback if .com isn’t available
.org	Charities & non-profits	Not recommended for commercial businesses
.co	Startups & global brands	Looks modern but not as familiar in the UK
.store, .design, etc.	Niche industries	Can work well, but trust levels vary with your audience

Local SEO and Trust

For tradespeople, local shops, healthcare providers, or anyone relying on local search traffic, the domain you choose can make a difference.

While Google doesn’t favour .co.uk over .com directly, it does use local signals (like your business location and region-specific keywords). Pairing a .co.uk domain with good SEO practices helps Google understand that your services are aimed at UK users — especially when combined with content tailored to local search terms like:

“Roofers in Kent”

“Electricians near Gravesend”

“Mobile car tuning in London”

What We Recommended

For the Kent roofing company I mentioned at the start, the solution was simple:

Buy both the .co.uk and the .com

Use the .co.uk as their main site

Redirect the .com to match, protecting the brand name and any future expansion plans

It’s a small investment with long-term benefits.

Final Thoughts

If you're building a website for a UK business, and your customers are mainly local — go with .co.uk. It's trusted, familiar, and often expected.

If you're thinking bigger — regionally, nationally, or internationally — it's worth snapping up the .com too, so you've got options.

And if you’re feeling bold and want to try something like .london or .studio? It can work — just make sure your SEO is rock solid.

This article was written by Kat James, a website consultant and content creator for businesses in Kent.

If you're looking for a modern, effective and professionally designed business website that can work wonders for your online presence, don't hesitate to contact Kat at it'seeze Gravesend. Our affordable web design services are tailored to help businesses like yours grow online.

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