What does co.uk mean in a web address?
Looking to learn what does .co.uk domain meaning in a web address?
You use Google to google everything, but have ever tried to google Google?
Sorry for the tongue twister there, but here’s what comes up when you type in ‘google’ in the search bar of your browser:
Notice the URLs of the two search results now – https://www.google.co.uk/ and https://www.google.com/.
Are they different? What does .co.uk mean? Why do some sites end with .co.uk while others have a .com at the end? Too many questions, right?
I’ve got the answers for you.
In this piece I am going to tell you:
- What does .co.uk mean in a web address?
- How is .co.uk different from .com?
- Which domain extensions are the most suitable for your website?
- What’s the difference between .co.uk and .UK?
- How can you purchase a .co.uk domain name?
- How can you purchase domain names with .com, .net, or other extensions?
Let’s get started.
But before I tell you that, let’s take a step back and understand how website addresses work.
The basics of website addresses
Your website’s URL (like mine is https://www.fernandoraymond.com/) is your address on the web.
The last part (i.e., .com in my case) is called a domain extension. It lets people and bots on the web know what your website is all about.
Of course, .com is for commercial. This sends out a signal to everyone on the web that I use my website for commercial purposes. Similarly, UNICEF’s website (https://www.unicef.org/) sends out a clear message that it is an organisational website because it ends in .org). Research Gate’s website (https://www.researchgate.net/) ends with a .net, which is an indication of the fact that it is a networking website.
Now, coming to .co.uk…
The .co in this domain extension stands for commercial, much like .com. And the .uk after that signifies the United Kingdom. So websites with .co.uk domain extension show that they are commercial entities operating in and serving audiences from the UK.
Just like .co.uk, there are country-level extensions in Top Level Domains (TLDs) for all the other countries ranging from Andorra (ad) to Zimbabwe (zw).
TL;DR – Simply stated .com signals that the website is a commercial website and .co.uk signals that it is a UK-based commercial website.
How is .co.uk different from .com?
Technically speaking, the two aren’t different. They are both widely used TLDs with no SEO difference.
However, .co.uk does signal towards a website’s intended geographical audience. It is not like .com websites have to serve audiences worldwide and .co.uk websites cannot engage with audiences from outside of the UK. It is just a matter of preference and perception.
For example, if I would have looked up Google from an Indian IP address, the first search result would have been www.google.co.in. That’s because location-relevant search results are more helpful.
Also, if people notice the .co.uk in your website’s address, they might not want to work with a local (UK-based company).
Which domain extension is suitable for your website?
Confused between .com or .co.uk domain for your website?
Here’s a surefire way to make the right choice:
Go for a .com domain when:
- You want to serve global audiences.
- You don’t want to give the impression that yours is a local firm.
- You want to ensure that your website gets global traffic.
Select a .co.uk domain when:
- You want to play the local business card in front of your audience
- You want people to know that your business serves only UK audience
- You don’t care about global traffic.
- The .com extension for your desired domain name isn’t available.
While deciding between .com or .co.uk for a blog, understand the demographics of your reader base.
Are your readers predominantly from the UK? Pick a .co.uk domain.
Do you have a global readership? .com domain would be a better pick.
Now, if you have decided that you need a domain extension that clearly states that you are based out of and serving the United Kingdom, you’d face another domain extension choice. The choice between .co.uk and .UK domain,
Here’s what a .UK domain means.
With more people and businesses getting online, a shortage of desirable domain names emerged. So the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) decided to roll out the .UK extension. It is exactly like the .co.uk domain extension in all respects. The only difference is that the .UK extension is relatively new, which means it’s a little less popular among the masses. However, it also means that finding the required .UK domain is simpler than finding the same domain name with a .co.uk extension.
Buying domain names
The process of buying a domain name remains the same irrespective of the domain extension you use.
Step 1: Visit a registered and reliable domain registrar. SeekaHost offers .com and .co.uk domain names for the cheapest costs of mere $5.99 and $4.99 per annum.
Step 2: Search for the domain name you want.
Step 3: Select from .com, .co.uk, .UK or other domain extensions that are available for your desired domain name.
Step 4: Make payments for the domain name.
With that, you know everything that is to know about .co.uk domain extension. The logical next step is for you to go shop for a domain and start your digital journey right away.
Sources:
