The Pros and Cons of a .co Domain

The .com extension has as much as 44% of the total top-level domain share. This makes it the most popular domain choice in the world. However, this also means that many sought-after .com web addresses are already taken. As a result, many future website owners are forced to look for an alternative. The .co domain is one of these alternatives and one of the best ones. This article discusses the pros and cons of this widely used domain extension.

What Is the .co Domain?

Originally, the .co domain was designed as the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Colombia, a country in South America. However, in time, Google started treating this extension as a generic top-level domain, just like .com. The reason for this is that website owners and visitors themselves see this domain extension as generic rather than country-targeted.

The .co domain is even managed by a subsidiary of the American technology company Neustar. This speaks volumes of its global reach and acceptance. After all, most ccTLDs are administered by local entities within their respective countries.

The .co extension also has no registration restrictions on second-level domains as of July 10, 2010. This means that anyone anywhere can register a .co domain.

The Pros of the .co Domain

As mentioned, anyone in the world can register a .co domain. Here’s why you should take this opportunity.

Global Recognition

The .co domain has long broken free from its original geographical roots. Entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations worldwide – far from Colombia – have embraced this extension with open arms. This makes it perfect for anyone looking to build a brand with international appeal.

The Perfect Form

The .co domain extension is practically the shorter form of .com. And no one loves brevity more than the digital world. The .co domain is simple and easy to recall. This will also make your web address easy to remember and type correctly.

Availability

Let’s face it – most .com names that might appeal to you are already taken. But this doesn’t apply to the same .co web addresses. This domain extension gives you a much higher chance of securing your dream domain name. No more settling for a second-choice name.

Modern Association

The .co domain has come to signal a much more progressive and modern approach than the same old .com extension. This makes it a natural choice for anyone looking to project an image of innovation and forward-thinking. And this includes big-name brands like VSCO.

SEO Benefits

Many people worry that using the .co extension will hurt their search engine optimization (SEO) ranking. However, this is just a myth. You see, Google’s algorithms prioritize quality content and strong user experience. So, as long as your website delivers, a .co domain won’t hold you back. In fact, it can only help improve your search visibility, provided you choose a memorable and relevant domain name.

The Cons of the .co Domain

The .co domain offers a lot of benefits. However, it’s also important to be aware of the potential challenges associated with it.

User Expectations

The .com extension has been available for decades. That’s why it shouldn’t be surprising that many users might mistakenly type “.com” instead of “.co” when searching for your website. For them, this means unnecessary confusion. For you? Lost traffic.

However, you can avoid these unfortunate scenarios by promoting your .co domain clearly across all marketing materials. You can even use catchy branding strategies to emphasize that your domain is “.co” rather than “.com.” Think something along the lines of – “It’s .co, not .com because we’re not common.”

Trust

The .com extension has established itself as the most trusted and recognized domain over time. As a result, many users will automatically trust a .com website – especially compared to a newer domain extension like .co. However, as long as you work to build your own reputation and brand recognition, your .co domain won’t stand in your way. It will also eventually gain trust. You can also go for the pioneer angle, highlighting the innovative connotation of your .co domain. Out with the old and in with the new.

Get Your .co Domain Today

As you can see, any downside to owning a .co domain can be overcome with some smart marketing. And that’s even if that downside isn’t drowned by all the benefits. Another benefit is that there are no special requirements to register a .co domain. In other words, nothing is standing in your way. And a lot is waiting for you on the other side. Register your .co domain today to start reaping all these benefits.