Choosing the right .co.uk domain name for your business

By Ben Lobel on Small Business UK - Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

Last year, around £120 billion was spent online in the UK, with 29 per cent of all retail sales occurring online. So if you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to take your business online and claim your slice of the online pie.

With over 10 million registered .uk domain names, securing the perfect domain for your business should be one of the first things you do. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The right domain name will make a real statement about your business and it should reflect your offering or brand – think of it as the sign above your shop window.

#1 – Do your research

To begin – do lots of research. When starting a new business and choosing a domain name, you need to check that it’s not already registered, copyrighted, or trademarked. A good rule of thumb is to go for something short and make it memorable. If your domain is long or difficult to spell, consumers won’t remember or share it. Try to choose a name with a maximum of two or three words and don’t be afraid to ask a friend for a second opinion about what works well.

>See also: How to choose the perfect name for your business

#2 – What will appeal to potential customers?

Think carefully about what kind of names are likely to appeal to your potential customers too; your domain could reflect what you intend to do with your site. Try choosing memorable phrases or keywords that someone might use to find your products or services: these could also help your SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) rankings.

#3 – Try to avoid numbers

You should also consider how you use characters like numbers and hyphens. It’s always best to avoid numbers unless they are in your business name. Hyphenating is often seen as a great way to register a domain name if your first choice is already taken, but be aware, they can make domain names appear more spammy.

>See also: How to choose a great name for your new business

#4 – Choose the right .uk extension

Lastly, make sure to choose the right extension. If you are a business in the UK, there is no better tool to promote your British roots than a .uk domain. Research shows that 70 per cent of British consumers choose .uk domain websites when buying products and services online. It is trusted. It highlights that you’re based in the UK and are a reputable business.

The .uk family of extensions has grown over the last decade so you have plenty of options to consider. You can go for the shorter, sharper and more distinctive .uk, stick with the original and most popular .co.uk, set up a cause or community with .org.uk or get more personal and creative with .me.uk. Whether you want to sell traditional British products, promote British services, or set up a new cause, there is a .uk extension for you.

For more tips and advice on how to choose the best domain for you and your business please visit www.theukdomain.uk and follow @dotuk. To see if your perfect domain name is available now, visit Namesco.

More on domain names

Getting and setting up a business domain name

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