A country code domain name is a top-level domain name (TLD) that indicates the country or geographic region of the website owner. For example, .th stands for Thailand, .ca stands for Canada, and .de stands for Germany, and so on.
If you are running a business in a specific country or targeting a particular geographic region, using a country code domain name can be an excellent way to signal your online presence to local customers as well as get a boost in organic search engine traffic.
But, there are both pros and cons to using a country code specific domain name and I’m going to break down everything you need to know in order to make the correct purchase decision. If you’ve not already, I suggest using Namecheap to get all your domains. Low prices, low renewal rates and free WHOIS protection.
Namecheap
Low prices on domain names, low renewal rates, free WHOIS protection and good support.
I use Namecheap for all my domains and use them in my tutorial videos.
Who Should Use a Country Code-Specific Domain Name?
A country code domain name is an excellent choice if your business is targeted primarily at customers within a specific country or geographic region. This could include local brick-and-mortar businesses, professional services (law firms, for example), or online stores within a particular country.
One of the most significant benefits is that it can improve your search engine optimization (SEO) rankings. If you are targeting a specific country or region, using a country code domain name can help search engines like Google understand the location and language of your website, which can increase your visibility in local search results.
Example of a company using a country code-specific domain name
A great example is a retailer out in South East Asia called Shopee. They have Shopee.co.th for Thailand, Shopee.vn for Vietnam, Shopee.co.id for Indonesia, and so on.
Multinational corporations like Shopee, with a significant presence in multiple countries, benefit from a country code domain name as it helps to target their brand to their respective customers’ locations, cultures, and languages. It also helps with local SEO rankings respectively.
Consider using a country code-specific domain if your ideal domain is unavailable or hard to acquire or if getting traffic from a specific region is most important. Remember, the objective is to choose a domain name that perfectly represents your brand and is easy for your potential customers to remember and find online.
Pros:
- Improved local SEO rankings.
- Easier discovery by local customers.
- Trust-building with local customers.
- Enhanced online credibility in local markets.
- Able to get the domain name you want.
Who Should Not Use a Country Code-Specific Domain Name?
A country code domain name helps with organic SEO reach and rankings within a country but not globally. So, if you’re a multinational company, it does make sense to get multiple versions of your domain name with various country codes like Shopee does or if you’re a local business serving a specific country, like a law firm in Canada.
Businesses (not multinationals) and individuals whose services or products cater to a global audience should ideally avoid country code-specific domains, especially if your website’s language is English. In that case, obtain a .com as using a country code may inadvertently signal a geographic limitation to potential customers and search engines, reducing your global competitiveness.
Lack of trust
Another disadvantage of using a country code domain name is that it can impact your website’s credibility and trust with international customers. Suppose your website has a country code domain name like a .vn for Vietnam. In that case, international customers may assume that your business only serves local customers and may be less likely to trust your business and make a purchase.
I worked with a Vietnamese artist who created beautiful portraits for people. His website was in English, but since he was Vietnamese in Vietnam, he registered a .vn domain name. Once he moved his site to a .com, he had much better reach and got traffic from international customers.
Finally, as I mentioned, websites that rely heavily on global SEO should think twice before opting for a country code domain. While they can boost local search rankings, country code domains may not reinforce international SEO efforts to the same degree as more universally recognized TLDs such as .com or .org.
Cons:
- Limited reach outside of the specific country or region
- Potential language barriers for non-local customers
- It is more expensive to acquire and maintain multiple domain names.
Namecheap
Low prices on domain names, low renewal rates, free WHOIS protection and good support.
I use Namecheap for all my domains and use them in my tutorial videos.
How to Buy a Country Code-Specific Domain Name
Buying a country code-specific domain name involves a similar process to purchasing any other domain. However, some country code domains have specific requirements like local presence or business licenses. So it depends on the country code domain you’re looking to get.
Here are the general steps to guide you through the process to register a domain name:
- Choose a domain registrar: Do some research and choose a trusted domain registrar that sells the country code you want. My personal choice is Namecheap, but they are not the only registrar.
- Search for your domain: Enter the domain name you want in the registrar’s search bar. If it’s available, you can proceed to the next step to create an account and make a purchase. If not, you may have to devise alternative names or try a different extension.
- Check the requirements: Important! Some country code domains have specific requirements. For example, .eu requires a residence or business presence in the European Union.
- Purchase the domain: Add the domain to your cart and checkout. You’ll have to create an account with the registrar and provide accurate personal information. This is why domain privacy is important and Namecheap provides it for free.
- Configure your domain: You can configure your domain name with your web hosting service after purchasing. You’ll need to change the DNS settings of your domain to point to your web host.
Finally, owning a country code domain name does not guarantee success in that regional market. It’s just one piece of the puzzle. Your website must also provide relevant content, be well-optimized for search, obtain backlinks from other websites and have a social media presence to help establish authority.
Examples of Country Code-Specific Domain Names
Country code-specific domain names (ccTLDs) represent specific geographic locations. Here are a few of the most popular:
- .us: The domain extension for the United States. It’s often used by businesses and individuals who want to target American visitors specifically, but in general most Americans want to obtain a .com extension.
- .ca: This is the internet country code for Canada. It’s often used by Canadian businesses or international companies that operate in Canada.
- .au: The Australian country code domain extension. Like Canada, it can help boost local search engine rankings for businesses targeting an Australian audience.
- .de: This domain extension is reserved for Germany (Deutschland).
- .uk: Designed for United Kingdom-based businesses. It’s widely recognized and trusted by UK internet users.
- .jp: Domain extension or Japan. It’s commonly used by Japanese businesses and those targeting a Japanese-speaking audience.
- .tv: This was the country code specific domain for the country of Tuvalu but has since be transformed to be a generic top level domain name.
- .co: Columbia’s country code originally. Now turned into a generic, top level country code domain name and a great alternative to a .com.
Remember, while choosing a country code-specific domain name can enhance your local SEO and visibility, ensuring that it aligns with your overall business strategy and target audience is essential.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, whether or not to use a country code domain name for your website depends on your online business goals and target audience. If you are targeting a specific geographic region or have a significant presence in a particular country, using a country code domain name can be an excellent way to signal your online presence.
However, if you plan to expand your business globally or target an international audience, a generic TLD or a global TLD like .com can be a better option. Ultimately, the choice of a domain name depends on your online business strategy and goals, and it’s essential to choose a domain name that represents your brand and makes it easy for your customers to find you online.
When you’re ready to get started, I strongly suggest heading over to Namecheap to begin your search for the perfect domain name for your online presence.
Namecheap
Low prices on domain names, low renewal rates, free WHOIS protection and good support.
I use Namecheap for all my domains and use them in my tutorial videos.
