Domain names -.com v .co.uk

[CharlieB]

I have a domain name in mind but it's only available in .co.uk format? Can I still target the American Market with this? Can firms sell in the states with a .co.uk address? Is this common?

Also the domain name I have in mind is the singular version not the plural and the plural is owned by a company that is not selling in the same market as me. How dangerous is it to have a name which people could confuse with another?

Thanks

Charlie

[goldie]

You'll find that the .co.uk name relegates your rankings in the USA and optimizes it in the UK. Also, harder to transfer .co uk domains names between ISPs.

[CharlieB]

What do you mean by this?

[Mega B]

It would be better to get a .com have you had a go and seen if the .net is available as that is the next best domain to have after a .com,getting the co.uk version would be pointless really.

[SCJeff]

have you considered maybe a ".net" version?

[Encrypted]

I've never seen a .co.uk domain in my search results. So that should answer your question.

[CharlieB]

I've just realised that another rival company has the .net version of my domain, is it wise for me to go for the .com version and compete head on or go for a different name. The only problem is the name I have at the moment is the most obvious one. What do you recommend?

[MySuccessIzUnlimited]

Not knowing the name of our company. I'd say DO NOT compete with another company for same name that already has the dot com unless it's inactive or just holding the domain especially if the company is established. Depending on how invested you are - either make a variation of the name or get another nam altogether.

You're not just talking about a domain. You're talking about branding. If the current company with the dot com has a trademark, it may cost you more down the line.

[CharlieB]

has anyone heard of .co domain names? I've done some research and domain name companies are selling them for pre order. Are these the next big thing and is this better than a .net or a .co.uk or even a .com?

[CharlieB]

has anyone heard of .co domain names? I've done some research and domain name companies are selling them for pre order. Are these the next big thing and is this better than a .net or a .co.uk or even a .com?

[Mega B]

has anyone heard of .co domain names? I've done some research and domain name companies are selling them for pre order. Are these the next big thing and is this better than a .net or a .co.uk or even a .com?

No one can give you a straight answer as yet because in theory .biz etc was thought to be the next big thing but that never took off so people tend to go for tried and tested .com and .net domains instead,how about you giving it a try and then letting us have some feedback on how you got on.It may take off so go for it thats all we can advice really.

[petelta]

The difference between the .com, .net, .info, .co.uk are going to be trivial in the end. Getting a .com gives you an extra boost at the beginning of creating your website, BUT that doesn't mean you can't do just as well with any other domain extension. I've gotten .info's to number 1 of google for competitive keywords. It's all about consistency and quality.